Once upon a time there was a king who lived in Fairydwale. He was a great king who was loved by all his people, but he was not happy. He had a problem of which he was very ashamed. The king was very forgetful. He was constantly losing things: his watch, his voice, his marbles, everything! He sometimes even forgot his own name. That is why his people called him “King Lost.”
One sunny morning, someone knocked on the castle’s gate. When the king finally found the gate’s door, he opened it. A little old lady stood in front of him. She smiled and explained that a friend of hers, also a king, had sent her to help him find his things. King Lost had no idea who the other king was, but that was precisely his problem! As soon as he could remember, he would send the other king a thank you note. The old lady told King Lost to meet her at the town square in Fairydwale where she would help him get rid of his forgetfulness once and for all. The king didn’t have to think twice about this offer and quickly told his footmen to prepare the royal carriage. Would he actually be able to remember things from now on? The king was royally ecstatic! But little did the king know that the old lady was actually an evil witch who was after the throne. And if her plan succeeded, she would rule over Fairydwale before nightfall.
When the king arrived at the town square, the old lady was already waiting for him. She guided him through the gathered crowd to the middle of the square. There was a small tower, no taller than a simple well, which had a door on each of its four sides. On top of the tower, there was a golden bell. Strange. The king couldn’t remember whether he had ever seen the tower there before but that didn’t mean anything given his situation.
The crowd was silent as the witch opened one of the four doors and told the king to go in. He didn’t hesitate at all and happily skipped inside. But then… As soon as the king went inside the tower, the witch slammed the door behind him. The sound of it echoed through the streets of Fairydwale. Some people tried to come up to the tower to try to help the king, but they quickly jumped back as they saw the witch’s evil eyes. “Get back, peasants, this is between me and your so-called king!”
The people could hear the king shout for help. “Let me out! Help! How do I get out of here?” The witch turned to the tower and said: “I was going to explain that to you, but your people interrupted me. Anyway, it’s simple. If you want to come out, just use the same door as the one you came in through.”
For a moment, the king was silent. “The… same door? The same door?” He stuttered. “But… I don’t remember which door that was!” The witch smiled. “Well… I didn’t think this was going to be too difficult. Listen, just think of it as a game. If you choose the right door, you will be back out here with us. But if you choose the wrong door… the tower will be locked FOREVER!”
The witch let out an evil laugh. That royal fool had just walked right into her trap. As if she would ever help him. What a ridiculous idea! She wanted his throne and that’s exactly what she was about to get. King Lost would never remember which was the right door.
“Well,” she said. “Have you decided which door yet? We are all waiting here. Surely it can’t be that hard, there are only four doors.” Again, the king had to think. Then the people heard the king carefully try to open one of the doors. But… it was locked! He tried again but the door would not give. Someone in the crowd yelled: “Oh no! He chose the wrong door!” That is when the bell on top of the tower let out a loud ding and a sudden cold wind blew through the town. The king was locked in the tower forever! The witch screamed with joy: “Hahaaa, you chose the wrong door! Well, I’m not surprised of course, but please do me a favor and make yourself at home in there because you will never get out!” She then turned to the crowd:
“Here, dear people, this is your highness,
trapped between four doors
because he was once again mindless.
The right door would have set him free,
but he chose wrong
so now you are dealing with me.
It’s time for a change as I now rule,
so you all better listen
because I can be very cruel.”
The witch quickly crowned herself queen and ran to the castle where she climbed on top of the throne.
Some of the crowd rushed to the tower and placed their ears against its walls. They could hear the king softly weep. “Don’t worry, your highness,” they said, “we will get you out of there!”
Days, weeks, months went by and the people of Fairydwale were still trying to get their king out of the tower. Even the brightest wizards couldn’t undo the witch’s spell. Locksmiths tried every key they owned and the strongest men of Fairydwale couldn’t move the doors by even an inch. Nothing worked. King Lost was locked in the tower, and no one could save him. The people of Fairydwale became more and more desperate. Every night at midnight, when the tower’s bell would ding, the witch let out a loud shriek of joy from her castle.
A year went by and every person in Fairydwale had tried to free the king. Everyone except for one servant. His name was Henry, and he was known for having his head in the clouds. That is why no one had even bothered to ask him; all he did was daydream and sleep. Surely this man could never save the king. But one sunny afternoon Henry walked onto the town square. A very surprised crowd gathered as they watched Henry stretch his arms above his head, lie down next to the tower and close his eyes. “Typical Henry,” the people exclaimed. “What a useless servant, just lying down and taking a nap while the king screams for help.” But no matter what the people said, Henry happily snored away.
It wasn’t until a few hours later he opened his eyes again. Nighttime was coming and Henry stared at the sunset. But… what was that? Henry saw a glimmering light coming from the top of the tower! He looked at it again and smiled. He quickly got up and the people of Fairydwale gasped as they watched the servant climb on top of the tower. He reached into the golden bell and pulled out the clapper. He proudly held it up for everyone to see. The people of Fairydwale soon realized Henry wasn’t holding a clapper at all, it was a key! No one had noticed it before, but Henry saw it right away.
He slid down the side of the tower and quickly put the key in the lock. The witch’s spell was finally broken! The door swooshed open, and the king jumped into Henry’s arms. He was so grateful for the servant that he knighted him then and there. Prince Found I was his new name. The people of Fairydwale cheered with joy as they followed the king and the new prince to the castle where they banished the witch from the throne. She was never to be seen again.
Prince Found I lived a long and happy life alongside King Lost, who had promised to never forget Henry’s heroic deed.
At least… he would try not to.
