Once upon a time, in a land very far from here, there lived a very wise and very kind king. This king was well-loved by his people and led them very fairly and bravely, but he was sad, for he was all alone in the world. He had neither parents nor siblings, aunts nor uncles, grandparents nor cousins.

One day as he was taking his daily ride through the forest, the king was stopped by an old crone. She said to him, “Here, your highness, take this staff of mine, that it will lead you well.” The king thanked her, took the carved staff, and went on his way. Before long, the staff’s carved face said to him, “Dear king, ahead of you lays three paths. One is familiar, seen every day, safe and secure. Down another lies danger, strong and conniving, a potential for glory and riches. But the third contains the truth of your dreams.” The king asked the staff, “But which must I follow?” And the staff answered, “That which you desire most.”

When the king came to a fork in the path along which he traveled, he gazed at each of the three trails spread before him. To his right was the path to his palace, home, and people. Straight before him was a little-traveled path, as it led to nowhere and had no purpose. To his left lay the dark and dangerous path to the witches’ realm. The king thought for a long moment, searching his feelings for the path that contained what he most wanted. Was it the safety and respect of his people at home? The glory and riches available to him if he conquered the witches’ realm? Or did he want the unknown dreams of his heart? Without hesitation, the king took the middle fork.

He traveled for a long time, staying on the smooth, even path without turning to the left or the right. Eventually, the king came upon a stream. Being very thirsty, he knelt down to take a drink from the cool, refreshing-looking water. Before the water touched his lips, however, the staff cried out, “Stop, sire, or your will is finished!” The king heeded the staff’s words, got back on his horse, and continued his journey.

A little farther on, the king came to a lush garden full of beautiful, ripe fruits and vegetables. Again the king dismounted to rest and replenish his energy. He was very hungry, but before the first bite touched his lips, the staff again cried out. “Beware, sire, or your will is finished!” So the king got up, looked longingly at the garden, but continued on his journey.

Soon the king came to a small, neat cottage, before which sat the most beautiful young woman he had ever seen, with long golden hair and small, slender hands. She was singing a very sad song, so sad that the trees around her listened and wept great tears.

“Please, maiden, tell me why you are so sad,” the king said.

“I am sad because I am alone in the world,” the maiden replied.

“As well am I,” said the king. “Come back to my home with me, and we will no longer be alone.” Then the maiden loved him, and stood at once to leave her home. Suddenly a witch appeared, with a horrible face and a long black cape. Her voice cracked with rage.

“How dare you come here to steal my slave!” the witch screeched. “How could you have come so far through my enchantments? You should have turned back the moment my magic drink and food touched your lips!” The king faced the witch with courage, determined to save this lovely girl from so terrible a mistress.

“My staff warned me and guided me,” he said. “And she is no longer your slave.” The witch screeched in speechless fury, her fingers curled into claws. The king gripped the crone’s staff and brought it before him. “Stamp me on the ground before you three times, and no harm may come to this place or its people,” the staff instructed. The king obeyed, and no sooner had the echo of the last stamp faded from the ground than the witch disappeared with a pop and a last shriek of fury.

The king helped the now-free maiden to gather those few belongings that she needed, and they returned to the kingdom and were married happily. The king took the crone’s gift with him wherever he went, laying down safety and guidance to the point that the witches’ could not stand to live so near to the good kingdom, and they left forever, never to be seen in the kingdom again.