Once upon a time a great and powerful King married a lovely Princess. No couple were ever so happy; but before their honeymoon was over they wereforced to part, for the King had to go on a warlike expedition to a farcountry, and leave his young wife alone at home. Bitter were the tearsshe shed, while her husband sought in vain to soothe her with words ofcomfort and counsel, warning her, above all things, never to leavethe castle, to hold no intercourse with strangers, to beware of evilcounsellors, and especially to be on her guard against strange women.And the Queen promised faithfully to obey her royal lord and master inthese four matters.
