A certain king had three sons who were all equally dear to
him, and he did not know which of them to appoint as his successor
after his own d**h. When the time came when he was about to
die, he summoned them to his bedside and said, dear children,
I have been thinking of something which I will declare unto
you, whichsoever of you is the laziest shall have the kingdom.
The eldest said, then, father, the kingdom is mine, for I am so
idle that if I lie down to rest, and a drop falls in my eye,
I will not open it that I may sleep. The second said, father,
the kingdom belongs to me, for I am so idle that when I am
sitting by the fire warming myself, I would rather let my heel
be burnt off than draw back my leg. The third said, father,
the kingdom is mine, for I am so idle that if I were going to
be hanged, and had the rope already round my neck, and any one
put a sharp knife into my hand with which I might cut the rope,
I would rather let myself be hanged than raise my hand to the rope.
When the father heard that, he said, you have carried it the
farthest, and shall be king.