William, the poor potter’s son, inherited a donkey and a potter’s wheel when his father died. He set off on his donkey to earn his fortune after selling the wheel. The king’s daughter was very pretty but she could not sing at all, though all the courtiers always praised her. She wished to marry an honest man. So, it was announced that she would marry anyone who gave an honest opinion about her singing. William was passing by the palace window when the princess was practising singing. Immediately, his donkey began to bray! To everyone’s amazement, the princess ran to the window and, seeing the donkey, she burst out laughing! “I can’t marry the donkey!” she exclaimed, “But I will marry its owner, for his donkey realised I couldn’t sing!” And that was how William married a princess and later became king! The donkey began to live in the royal stables.
William Becomes King
