A poor woman gave birth to a boy, born with a lucky caul. A wise man whispered to the king, 'This child shall one day marry your daughter.' The king’s eyes darkened with fear.

Determined to prevent the prophecy, the king ordered the boy captured. He was placed in a box and thrown into the river.

The box washed ashore at a mill. A kindly miller and his wife rescued the boy and raised him as their own.

The boy grew clever, kind, and brave. Everyone admired him—except the king, who still feared the prophecy.

The king summoned the boy. 'Fetch me the Devil’s three golden hairs,' he demanded. 'Only then may you marry my daughter.' The young man accepted, calm and determined.

He journeyed through a dark, whispering forest. Shadows danced, and eyes glimmered mysteriously between the trees.

In the first town, a man asked him, 'Why does the fountain no longer gush wine?' The young man promised to return with the answer.

In the next village, a woman asked, 'Why do golden apples fall without ripening?' Again, he promised to return with an answer.

By the river, a ferryman cried, 'Why must I row forever and cannot rest?' The young man promised to answer after completing his quest.

At last, he reached the Devil’s lair, a cave glowing with fiery light. The Devil slept, unaware of the young man.

A kind old woman, the Devil’s grandmother, appeared. She offered help, warning him of danger.

She transformed him into a tiny ant. Hidden, he crept close and plucked three golden hairs from the Devil’s head.

The Devil, sleeping, revealed the answers to the three towns’ questions. The young man memorized each one carefully.

The young man retraced his steps through the forest, confident and cautious, his golden hairs secured.

He returned to the first town: the fountain now flowed with wine again. To the second town: golden apples ripened and fell. To the ferryman: the curse was lifted; he could rest at last.

Back at the palace, he presented the golden hairs. The king’s plan failed; the prophecy was fulfilled.

The king, angry at his own greed, was tricked into the endless ferry curse. The young man married the princess, now safe and happy.

The young man’s wisdom, courage, and kindness brought peace and joy to the kingdom. Golden hairs shimmered as a symbol of bravery and destiny fulfilled.