Like many in the world, there once lived a widow and her son. This son was so good to his mother that they loved each other more than anything that can be said. One day this son told his mother that he had to go to Rome. The mother was in great pain, but let him go. (When he left) she gave him three apples and said to him:
“If you meet (someone) along the way and if you are thirsty, have them cut one of these apples and the one who gives you the largest portion will be a good friend to you for the journey. »
The widow and her son
So he left. After walking a little way, he met three men. They got to know each other and told him they were going to Rome. They continued on their way, for a long, long time and as talking makes you thirsty, the widow's son said to them:
“I have an apple in my pocket that my mother gave me when she left; let's eat there. Here, share it. »
One of them divided it and gave him the smallest share. When he saw this, he made up an excuse and took leave of his companions. He continued walking for a long time, along the path, when he met three monks. They told him they were going to Rome and offered to travel together. When they had walked a while, they too became thirsty. The widow's son said to them:
“I have an apple that my mother gave me when she left. Here, share it. »
They too were no better comrades than the others. They only gave him a small share. Fortunately he remembered his mother's recommendation and left them. He walked a part of the way alone and saw from a distance something shining under an oak tree, and as he got closer he saw that it was a king. He asked him where he was going and learned that he too was going to Rome.
The king invited him to rest with him and he stayed there for a long time and at length they became thirsty and the widow's son gave him the last apple, telling him that it was his mother who had given it to him in leaving. The king's son divided it and gave him the greater part. The widow's son was delighted to have found a good friend and they promised each other great friendship under the oak tree. The widow's son promised to take the king's son to Rome dead or alive and the other himself undertook to serve and help him as long as a drop of blood flowed in his veins.
They resumed their journey and walked a long way until night overtook them and they did not know where to go. They met a young girl who was going to the fountain. They asked him if they would be given shelter in the house they saw in the distance.
She answered yes and then, lowering her voice, she added: "Yes, to your misfortune." "
Only the widow's son heard these last words. So they went and entered and were very well received. They were entitled to a good dinner and a good bed on the third floor. THE
The widow's son left the prince at the edge of the bed and he himself went to the wall. The king's son fell asleep immediately because he was very tired; but fear kept the widow's son awake, and just as midnight struck he heard someone coming up the stairs and saw the master of the house enter the bedroom with a large knife in his hand. The mistress had the light and the maid had a basin. They came and cut off the neck of the king's son and lowered him down.
In this interval the widow's son went out onto the rooftops and from there he cried out and begged for justice. When he had made himself heard, he told the people what had happened in the house. As they had never before heard anything like this about the people of this house, they would not believe him and they put him in prison.
The next day he was condemned to death.
Before dying he asked for a favor. It was granted to him. He then asked for two bloodhounds to search the house. This was granted to him and he went with the people of justice. After having inspected the entire castle, without finding a drop of blood, they went down to the cellar. The dogs continued to sniff, but the master refused to open the door, saying that there was only dirt there. They told him that he had to open it anyway and that's where they found the king's son with his crown. That was all they asked for.
The widow's son was freed and he asked for the body of the king's son and put it in a sack. He took the bag over his shoulders and left for Rome where he arrived exhausted; but he had kept his word.
He went to the holy father and told him everything that had happened and what had happened to his friend.
Our holy father said to him: “Tomorrow, at the time of the Elevation, you will place the head on the body. »
He did so and at the same moment the body of the king's son was seized with a shudder and he cried out:
" Where am I ? "
The widow's son replied: “To Rome. Don't you remember how your neck was sliced yesterday? And I myself carried you, as I promised you, to Rome. »
The king's son went to visit our holy father and (then) they returned (home). And after having traveled a long way, they arrived under the oak tree where they had met and it was there that they also had to part ways.
They renewed their promises (to each other). The king's son took off his ring and gave it to him in memory of him. And the king's son, counting his money, noticed that he had exactly the same amount as he had when he was under the oak last time. And they left each other to return home.
When the widow's son arrived home, his mother was happy to see her son again and the son too (to see his mother again). But the next day he was stricken with a terrible illness, which looked very much like leprosy and which gave a foul odor, but fortunately his mother did not smell it. This poor mother did everything she could to heal her son, but nothing relieved him.
She heard that there was a monk nearby, a great saint, who cured illnesses. She sent for him and the widow's son told of his trip to Rome and all that had happened there and he also told of the promises that he and the king's son had made to each other.
Then the monk said to him: “If you want to be cured, there is only one remedy: you must wash yourself in the blood of this king. »
This news greatly saddened the young man, but his mother decided to leave the next day and they traveled in an old wagon. Everyone they passed held their noses and said, “Phew! pooh! » After a while they arrived at the king's house. The mother asked permission to speak to the king, but a servant sent her away, because of the smell, telling her not to come any closer.
So she couldn't say anything to the king. But one day the king came out and saw the cart and asked what it was. He was told that he was a sick man, who smelled like rotten fish and who wanted to see the king. The king was angry that the commission had not been made to him before.
This king had married in the meantime and already had a son. He asked the people in the wagon to come to his house and the widow's son told him who he was and showed him the ring he had once given her. Without paying the slightest attention to his illness, the king took him in his arms and kissed him. The widow's son told him of the pain he had felt at the monk's announcement.
The king went to his wife and told her what had happened to the sick man at the door and that this sick man had already saved his life in the past and now it was his turn and he could not be cured that by washing in his blood and (he ordered him) to choose between his child and him. The poor mother sacrificed her son. They killed him. The sick man immediately washed (in the blood) and was healed at the same time.
The queen, in pain, entered her child's room and there she found her son full of life. Mad with joy, she took her son and went shouting to everyone, showing her child. Judge what happiness for them all! The widow and her son lived happily in the king's palace and never left each other again.
