Once upon a time there was a dying King who sent his three sons, one after the other, on a quest for the Water of Life, The only means by which he could be healed. After setting off, the three in turn encountered a poor beggar crying for alms. The first two, callous fellows that they were, abused the wretched man and denied him aid. The third, himself a hunchback, had compassion for the beggar and responded to his pleas, Receiving in return a bundle of Magic arrows that would strike unerringly wherever they where aimed, and a magic lute, the music of which would make anyone who heard it dance.

Armed with these wonderful objects he continued on his journey. Beset by peril and difficulty at every turn, One day while hunting he took aim at a Fox with his arrow, but at the moment relented out of pity for the creature. At another point along the way, He sent his last coins paying for the burial of a man who died a debtor, Whose body lay by the wayside.

Along the way, he met a mysterious stranger who offered to help in the quest in exchange for half of any fortune the prince should gain. He finally reached the castle of an Ogre who possessed the WATER OF LIFE, The ogre retained him in service and so he saved the ogre’s life by use of his magic arrows, receiving as a reward the object of his quest, a vial of THE WATER OF LIFE.

The Ogre had imprisoned in his castle a beautiful young maiden who refused to marry him. The prince won her love by means of his magic lute, The ogre released her and they began their long homeward trek. But they were soon accosted by two scoundrel brothers, who in jealousy attacked them by stealth, threw their brother down a deep well, and absconded with the princess and water.

Soon after their departure, along came the fox whose life the prince had spared, The fox let down a rope, when the prince reached the top he found the mysterious stranger who by magic relived him of his deformed condition. They embarked on another long and arduous journey back to the prince's homeland.

Meanwhile, the elder brothers had already returned home with the vial and the princess, but because of their misdeeds, were unable to heal the ailing King. The old man was on his deathbed, when amidst wails and lamentations the youngest son, Now a straight-backed young man, arrived. When he anointed the King with the WATER of LIFE, the old man was instantly healed. He then castigated the elder brothers in Public and they were banished.

The Prince and his beautiful bride were finally reunited and their wedding was joyously celebrated. Then the mysterious stranger revealed himself to be the dead man for whom proper funeral rites had been provided thereby releasing his soul from eternal wandering. The prince offered his entire kingdom to settle their bargain so as to avoid dividing the princess but,

The Grateful Dead man released the prince from his bond. In gratitude, the old king offered him anything in the kingdom he should desire. The Grateful Dead chose the lute and arrows, and the wine and provision for his final ride to the Netherworld.

HOME