The Singing Flute

Once, long ago, there lived a king who had three sons named Pedro, Juan and José.

They lived happily together in the royal palace, until one day the old king fell ill. He invited healers from all over the world, but no one was able to help him. He was quickly losing his sight. He was nearly blind when a healer from the far east visited his court. He told the king there was only one cure for him: a potion made from olive blossoms. When the king heard him, he thanked the wise man and rewarded him with a pound of gold. He was overjoyed until he realised there were no olive trees growing anywhere in his kingdom. He called for his three sons and asked them to go find olive blossoms for his potion.

The eldest son approached his father and said: “I’ll go and seek the olive blossom as you ask. But wandering across the world will cost me a fortune. Give me the inheritance money that’s rightfully mine and I’ll set off on my journey.”

He travelled far and wide, and weeks and months had passed, but he hadn’t come across a single olive tree. One day he met a wrinkled old lady. She said to him: “Please, kind sir, give me a coin or two, or share a little of your food with me. I haven’t eaten for two days.” But Pedro didn’t have a good heart. The only thing he gave her was a nasty look, and then he just walked away. He kept on walking for weeks, but he didn’t find any olive trees.

Time passed and the king grew more and more restless and frustrated. He called for the middle son, Juan, and asked him for the same…