THE CHASTISED QUEEN
“Tell me about my mother."
"Your mother is still in her castle, and she has made herself mistress, for the misfortune of the country."
"I know enough. Take me to a bedroom. I'm tired, and I want to sleep. Tomorrow, come wake me up before dawn."
“King, you will be obeyed."
The king lay down and fell asleep. The first stroke of midnight woke him. A ghost was looking at him.
“Your mother poisoned me. You are king. Do me justice."
—"Father, you will be obeyed."
The dead man left. The king was sweating with fear. Yet he was a strong and bold man. Before dawn, his best friend entered the bedroom.
"Listen. Tonight, I will have left the country, never to return, never. Here is a letter, where I marked that I make you the king in my place. And now bring me a sword and some fine clothes, and go and prepare a good horse for me in the stable, with bridle and saddle."
"King, you will be obeyed."
The king set off at full gallop. At sunset, he knocked on the door of his castle.
“Good evening, my mother, my poor mother."
Good evening, my son. Where do you come from? I want to know it."
"My mother, my poor mother, I will tell you at supper. I'll tell you when we're alone. Let's eat. I'm hungry."
They both sat down. When they were alone, the king said:
“My mother, my poor mother, you want to know where I come from. I have just seen the country. I just married my mistress. Tomorrow you will have it here."
The queen listened without saying anything. She went out and returned a moment later.
“Your wife is arriving tomorrow. So much the better. Let's toast to her health."
Then the king drew his sword and placed it on the table.
“Listen, my mother, my poor mother. You want to poison me. I forgive you. But my father doesn't forgive you. Three times he came back from the other world and said to me: “Your mother poisoned me. You are king. Do me justice." Yesterday I replied: “Father, you will be obeyed." My mother, my poor mother, pray to God that he will have mercy on your soul. Look at this sword. Take a good look at her. Time to say a Pater Noster, and I will cut off your head if you have not drunk the poison you poured for me. Drink, drink to the bottom, my mother, my poor mother"
The queen emptied the glass to the bottom. Five minutes later, she was green as grass.
“Forgive me, my mother, my poor mother."
"No."
The queen fell under the table. She was dead. Then the king knelt down and prayed to God. Then he went slowly down to the stable, jumped on his horse, and galloped off into the dark night.
He was never seen again again, never.
Cric, Cric,
My tale is done.
Cric, Crac,
My tale is finished.
Next Tale: The Chained King