1、The TalismanA Prince and a Princess were still celebrating theirhoneymoon. They were extremely happy； only onethought disturbed them， and that was how toretain their present happiness. For that reason theywished to own a talisman with which to protectthemselves against any unhappiness in the
2、irmarriage. Now， they had often been told about a manwho lived out in the forest， acclaimed byeverybody for his wisdom and known for his goodadvice in every need and difficulty. So the Prince and Princess called upon him and told himabout their heart's desire. After the wise man had listen
3、ed to them he said，“Travel throughevery country in the world， and wherever you meet a completely happily married couple， askthem for a small piece of the linen they wear close to the body， and when you receive this，you must always carry it on you. That is a sure remedy！” the Prince and the
4、Princess rode forth， and on their way they soon heard of a knight andhis wife who were said to be living the most happily married life. They went to the knight'scastle and asked him and his wife if their marriage was truly as happy as was rumored. “Yes， of course，” was the answer，“with the
5、one exception that we have no children！” Here then the talisman was not to be found， and the Prince and Princess continued theirjourney in search of the completely happily married couple. As they traveled on， they came to a country where they heard of an honest citizen wholived in perfect
6、unity and happiness with his wife. So to him they went， and asked if he reallywas as happily married as people said. “Yes， I am，” answered the man.“My wife and I live in perfect harmony； if only we didn'thave so many children， for they give us a lot of worries and sorrows！” So neither with
7、 him was the talisman to be found， and the Prince and the Princesscontinued their journey through the country， always inquiring about happily married couples；but none presented themselves. One day， as they rode along fields and meadows， they notic
