To Save a Prince

There once was a good, strong king who loved his people more than himself. He spent every waking moment trying to protect and improve the lives of his subjects, and even in his sleep he was tormented by images of the poor and forgotten.

The king had two sons. He assumed that they would follow the example he had set before them to become good, strong leaders. However, as the two grew older, the king feared he should have been more direct with his sons rather than merely hoping they would follow in his footsteps.

Instead, his oldest, Louis, cared for nothing except women, hunting, and himself. His younger son, Francis, was perhaps less selfish and did care for the kingdom's people, but still cared more for helping them while holding the title of king.

One day when the king was in his office, looking over agricultural reports, a messenger ran into the office unannounced.

"Your Highness, the princes have been abducted! A water-sprite holds them hostage, and she will negotiate with no one but you."

Without hesitation, the king sprang into action. After saddling his horse and riding off, it wasn't long until he had followed the river to a cave with a beautiful water-sprite standing guard.

"Welcome, king. Please, join me for a cup of the freshest, cleanest water you have ever tasted. There is no need to rush. Your sons are safe."

Once the king descended from his steed, the water-sprite sprinkled water around the beast so that he could freely graze, but could not cross the barrier she had marked. The water-sprite then motioned for the king to sit on a smoothed rock, weathered to take the shape of a chair. She handed him a cup of water and the king was amazed by its crisp, clear taste, more delicious than the finest wine.

"King, I have happily watched your reign from afar. You are kind and just. But your sons have failed you. I caught them near my river dueling. It turns out the youngest lured his older brother out here so that he could kill him and be king. I do not understand how a brother could take the life of another, but these two are the future of the kingdom."

"Yes, while the oldest is owed the kingship by his birthright, the other claims it by his talent and wit."

"King, you are wise and fair. Therefore, I will give you a gift: the gift of opportunity. You know, birthright or no, who should be king. So, you may choose who to save. Whoever is left, I will wash away his memories and he will be free to start a new life."

How could the king choose a son to save? How could he lose a son, even if it was best for the nation?

"May I have time to think about it?" he asked.

"It is decision time, king. You must choose now."

While traditionally Louis deserved the kingship by his privilege of being born first, he also harbored a selfishness beyond the good king's understanding. Francis was far more kind toward the kingdom's subjects, but he was willing to kill his own brother merely for the title of king. Was either of them truly deserving of great power?

"I have always acted in the best interests of my people and I will not stop now because my sons have chosen a life of violence and evil. I will find a king who is worthy of such power."

"You wish me to send both of your sons out into the world without any memory of their past lives?"

The king knew he could not keep his sons and do right by the kingdom, but he still loved his children. "Yes, but could you grant me one request?"

The water-sprite nodded solemnly.

"Can you allow them to remember they are brothers and their happiest moments together?"

"For you king, I shall."

And so the king took his horse and began his ride back to the castle. It was time to find a new king.

Author's Note: This is based off the story of the Princes and the Water-Spite. In the original, it is the queen who wants the youngest of three sons to be king. Because of her intentions, the king tells the elder two to run away until his death, bu the youngest goes with them. When the younger two are held by a water-sprite for not answering a riddle correctly, the eldest must choose which to save. He saves the youngest.

In my story, instead of the eldest brother choosing between his middle or youngest brother to save from the water-sprite, the king must choose who he wants to succeed him. In the original, the water-sprite says it was the kind choice to choose the youngest. However, I disagreed that it was the kind choice to punish the middle brother when he had done nothing wrong. It was the youngest brother's fault they had to run away. In my story, he chooses neither because he knows neither would be a good king.

For my image I chose the lady of the Lake because she best represents how I imagine the water-sprite to be. I think it is interesting how in the King Arthur tales she has a political significance as the water-sprite dos in this story. She has some kind of spiritual wisdom beyond humans which I find so fascinating!

Jataka Tales by Ellen Babbitt. (1912)