The Singing Bone

Once upon a time in a country there was a great lamentation about a wild boar that was ravaging the farmers' fields, killing the cattle and tearing people's bodies open with its tusks. The king promised a great reward to anyone who would rid the land of this plague. But the beast was so big and strong that no one dared to go near the forest where it lived. Finally, the king made it known that whoever caught or killed the boar would have his only daughter as his wife.

Now there were two brothers living in the country, sons of a poor man, who came forward and wanted to take the risk. The eldest, who was cunning and clever, did it out of pride, the youngest, who was innocent and stupid, did it out of a good heart. The king said, "In order that you may certainly find the beast, you shall go into the forest from opposite sides." So the oldest went in from the sunset side and the youngest from the sunrise side. And when the youngest had gone a little while, a little man came to him. He held a black spear in his hand and said: "I give you this spear because your heart is innocent and good. With it you can safely go after the wild pig, it will not harm you." He thanked the little man, took the spear on his shoulder and went on without fear. Not long after, he caught sight of the animal running at him. But he held out the spear to him, and in his blind rage he ran into it so violently that his heart was cut in two. Then he took the impetuous beast on his shoulder, went home and wanted to bring it to the king.