The King's Children

Once upon a time, there lived a noble and wise King. One day, the King became very ill. The King grew worried as each day passed, and he continued to get worse. He made a decision to choose the heir to his throne in case something were to happen to him.

Tradition always stated the eldest child would inherit the throne. However, the King did not agree with the tradition. He had five children, and he wanted to give each child a fair chance, so he devised a plan and called for the Fairy Godmother.

After the Fairy Godmother agreed to the King's plan, the King called for his five children. They filed into his bedchamber in a neat, single-file line.

The King said, "My dearest children, I have called the Fairy Godmother here to grant each of you one wish. Today she shall grant George a wish. She will return tomorrow for Victoria's wish."

George stepped forward, but before he could speak, the King had one more thing to add, "Think carefully for what you want, because you only get one wish."

George bowed then politely said, "Fairy Godmother, I wish to be the richest person in the land."

The Fairy Godmother said to him, "Before I grant your wish... Can you please tell me why you chose this?"

George replied instantly, "Because I believe money could solve all my problems. There would not be a thing I could not buy!"

The Fairy Godmother waved her wand in three circles and with a burst of blue light the wish was granted.

Victoria pointed at her older brother. "George, your clothes are different. And you have many fine gold rings!" Sure enough George's clothes changed to the finest silk robes, and gold rings appeared on each of his fingers.

"Check your bedchamber," said The Fairy Godmother. "I'll see you tomorrow. Enjoy your fortune," she said as she disappeared in a puff of pink smoke.

George quickly rushed to his bedchamber with his other brother and three sisters following close behind. His entire bedroom was filled with gold, diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and emeralds. George was overcome with joy as he thought about all the things he could buy with his new fortune.

"Have one of the servants fetch me some parchment and a quill. I wish to write down a list of all the things I want," George told his younger brother, Henry.

After George received his quill and parchment he began to work on his wish list. An hour passed before he decided to take a break.

He strolled past his youngest sister, Diana, who was quietly looking out the window,

He called out to her, "Diana, why are you looking out the window? I thought you normally took a nap at this time."

Diana said, "I was watching the big crowd of people. They have been trying to get into the palace to see you." He rushed downstairs to the palace doors. All the servants struggled to keep the doors closed. Suddenly they were knocked down as the doors flung open and a swarm of people rushed up to George.

"Prince George, we have heard of your fortune. You cannot possibly need all of it"

"Yes, Prince George let us take some of it off your hands."

The people continued to tell George what to do with his fortune. Many begged for some of his riches, while others asked politely.

Regardless, George became very upset. It was his fortune— nobody else's! He could not take it anymore, so he ran away to his bedroom and locked himself in. For the rest of the afternoon people came to his door, begging for money.