Once upon a time, because if it hadn’t been, there’d be nothing to tell, since the willow trees bore marigolds and the poplar trees grew pears; since bears would wrestle each other by the tails; since wolves and lambs would embrace and kiss as brothers; since a flea could be shod with ninety-nine pounds of iron on one leg and leap into the heavens to bring us stories
Since the days when flies were written onto walls.
Liar is the one who does not believe.
There once was a great emperor and an empress, both young and beautiful. Wishing to have children, they tried many times and did everything that could be done. They sought out healers and sages, asking them to read the stars and divine whether they would ever have children, but all in vain.
At last, the emperor heard that in a nearby village there lived a very skilled old man. He sent word to summon him. But the old man replied to the messengers: “If someone needs me, they must come to me.”
So the emperor and empress themselves got up, taking with them a few high-ranking nobles, soldiers, and servants, and went to the old man’s home. When the old man saw them approaching from afar, he came out to greet them and said:
“Welcome, and may you be well! But what are you seeking, Emperor? Know that the wish you carry will bring you sorrow.”
“I haven’t come to ask you that,” replied the emperor, “but to see if you have any remedies that could help us have children.”
“I do,” said the old man, “but you will have only one child. He will be handsome and beloved, like a fairy-tale prince, but you shall have no joy from him.”
Taking the remedies, the emperor and empress returned joyfully to the palace. And after a few days, the empress felt the signs of pregnancy. The entire kingdom, the entire court, and all the servants rejoiced at the news.