Fifty Famous Stories Retold | Page 4

come before you, and then ask them what you please."
The wise men talked with one another for a little while, and then agreed
that the young princes should be brought in, one at a time, and that the
same ques-tions should be put to each.
The first who came into the room was Robert. He was a tall, willful lad,
and was nick-named Short Stocking.
"Fair sir," said one of the men, "answer me this question: If, instead of
being a boy, it had pleased God that you should be a bird, what kind of
a bird would you rather be?"
"A hawk," answered Robert. "I would rather be a hawk, for no other
bird reminds one so much of a bold and gallant knight."
The next who came was young William, his father's name-sake and pet.
His face was jolly and round, and because he had red hair he was
nicknamed Rufus, or the Red.
"Fair sir," said the wise man, "answer me this question: If, instead of
being a boy, it had pleased God that you should be a bird, what kind of
a bird would you rather be?"

"An eagle," answered William. "I would rather be an eagle, because it
is strong and brave. It is feared by all other birds, and is there-fore the
king of them all."
Lastly came the youngest brother, Henry, with quiet steps and a sober,
thought-ful look. He had been taught to read and write, and for that
reason he was nick-named Beau-clerc, or the Hand-some Schol-ar.
"Fair sir," said the wise man, "answer me this question: If, instead of
being a boy, it had pleased God that you should be a bird, what kind of
a bird would you rather be?"
"A star-ling," said Henry. "I would rather be a star-ling, because it is
good-mannered and kind and a joy to every one who sees it, and it
never tries to rob or abuse its neigh-bor."
Then the wise men talked with one another for a little while, and when
they had agreed among themselves, they spoke to the king.
"We find," said they, "that your eldest son, Robert, will be bold and
gallant. He will do some great deeds, and make a name for himself; but
in the end he will be over-come by his foes, and will die in prison.
"The second son, William, will be as brave and strong as the eagle; but
he will be feared and hated for his cruel deeds. He will lead a wicked
life, and will die a shameful death.
"The youngest son, Henry, will be wise and prudent and peaceful. He
will go to war only when he is forced to do so by his enemies. He will
be loved at home, and re-spect-ed abroad; and he will die in peace after
having gained great pos-ses-sions."
Years passed by, and the three boys had grown up to be men. King
William lay upon his death-bed, and again he thought of what would
become of his sons when he was gone. Then he re-mem-bered what the
wise men had told him; and so he de-clared that Robert should have the
lands which he held in France, that William should be the King of
England, and that Henry should have no land at all, but only a chest of

gold.
So it hap-pened in the end very much as the wise men had fore-told.
Robert, the Short Stocking, was bold and reckless, like the hawk which
he so much admired. He lost all the lands that his father had left him,
and was at last shut up in prison, where he was kept until he died.
William Rufus was so over-bear-ing and cruel that he was feared and
hated by all his people. He led a wicked life, and was killed by one of
his own men while hunting in the forest.
And Henry, the Handsome Scholar, had not only the chest of gold for
his own, but he became by and by the King of England and the ruler of
all the lands that his father had had in France.

THE WHITE SHIP.
King Henry, the Handsome Scholar, had one son, named William,
whom he dearly loved. The young man was noble and brave, and
every-body hoped that he would some day be the King of England.
One summer Prince William went with his father across the sea to look
after their lands in France. They were wel-comed with joy by all their
people there, and the young prince was so gallant and kind, that he won
the love of all who saw him.
But at last the time came for them to go back to England. The king,
with his wise men and brave knights, set sail early in the day;