Once Upon a Time, for it was a very long time ago, there lived a prince. He was a very brave prince indeed, and the entire kingdom was proud of him, but sometimes his bravery made them think twice.
One fine sunny day the Prince Connal (for that was his name) was walking about his father's fields, when he saw the white wolf! The very one that had caused so much trouble among the peasants, and could not be caught!
Immediately he ran back to the castle, and calling his best huntsmen, he dressed in his best hunting gear and rode off into the woods to seek the wolf. Deep into the forest they went, when finally they came upon the wolf.
Bravely, but foolishly, the Prince fell upon the animal with all of his strength.
But all of his strength was not enough, and the wolf soon had the better of the prince.
The huntsmen tried to help, but it was of no use. Then suddenly as soon as the wolf had attacked, he drew back. Then surprisingly enough it slunk away.
Now the prince was badly wounded, and so were his huntsmen. But they all made it safely back to the castle. They were all laid up for several day's, but as soon as the Prince was better he set out to do more "brave thing's".
Two day's earlier his father (the king) was complaining about a valuable wheat field that was now useless, for the peasants would not go in for fear of three great big black birds that attacked anyone who entered it.
So the brave Prince Connal chose this as his next mission. He again picked out his best huntsmen, and his best gear, and set out. Soon they came to the field. The Prince (without any hesitation) plunged right in. But quicker than he could blink his eyes, the three black birds were upon him. The prince and his huntsmen were helpless, and weak, compared to the birds' strength. But, just as the wolf had, they drew back suddenly and left. The prince was completely baffled at this, but he didn't have much time to think about it, for again they were all badly wounded, and needed to get back to the castle.
They were again laid up for many days. But once more, as soon as the prince had recovered, he was out once more. This time he had heard about a huge strong man, who was doing dreadful things to all of the peasants. At once he called for his best soldiers, and put on his best armor and all his gear, and went to seek the man. Soon they came upon his hut, and challenged him to a man-to-man fight with the Prince Connal. He readily agreed.
Out came the huge man, taller then the tallest man there! It only took one blow from the man, and the prince was on the ground. The big ma'ns sword was pointed at the prince's neck. A wicked laugh rang out from the big man's throat, cruel and harsh. All the men, even the prince, were helpless with fear. In everyone's mind ran the same line, " the prince is doomed". But like the two other times, by some miraculous thing, the prince was again saved. The man had fallen, like he had been struck, giving the prince time to flee (as fast as his wounds would allow him) back to the castle.
That night the prince wondered, " who has saved me?" He tossed and turned all night, but could not sleep. He was thinking of how he was going to make better what he had done. Already it was worse then before. The wolf was very angry now, which made for more sheep missing. And the birds were getting even more dangerous. And as for the man, he was burning houses, stealing food.. With these thoughts the prince fell asleep.
He woke up suddenly, to a bright light that was increasing in the corner. Then a cross appeared in the center of the light! He realized then that the light was coming from the cross! The prince found himself asking the question that he had asked so many times that night: " Who saved me?"
Then he heard a voice-soft, yet strong, gentle, yet sure. "I saved you, my son; my hand has saved you."
The prince felt overwhelmed with joy. "Lord what shall I do to repay you!"
Then the voice came again "Go my son, to the forest, and seek the wolf."
And kneeling down he said, as his heart was bursting with joy, "Yes Lord". He did not even wait for dawn. Right away he set out.
He did not call to his huntsmen, the only weapon with him was a small little cross that he clutched in his hand. He walked all the way back to the forest, and found again the spot where they had come upon the wolf before. He waited there for hours, and was just about to leave, when the white wolf came prowling up, ready to spring on the trespasser.
It came up to him, its eyes glowing, snarling and showing its teeth. The prince clutched the cross firmly, and as he did so he believed he saw it glimmer. He was tense, feeling as though he were just waiting to be killed.
Finally he heard a voice. "Pet the wolf three times, my son." But though the prince often boasted of his bravery, it wasn't strong enough to make him reach out and touch this snarling wolf.
" Please Lord, help me". His voice was but a whisper. Then suddenly he felt new strength! He pulled up his hand, and ever so slowly he reached out, and drug his hand through the rough, and tangled hair. Then to the prince's astonishment, he felt the warm wet feeling of the wolf's tongue.
"Thank you Lord," was all he could manage to say. But when he got up, and was headed towered home, he sang-he sang a song to the Lord. When he arrived at the castle he got many odd looks, for the wolf had followed him home, like a servant obediently following his master.
The next day he walked to the edge of the wheat field, but he couldn't go on any farther, for once again, his bravery failed him.
" Lord I am asking for your help a second time, please help me," he said. And immediately he found new strength fill him. But no sooner did he enter the field than the birds were upon him, clutching, and clawing at him.
Then the voice came: " Feed the birds, feed them wheat."
Desperately the prince grasped some wheat. His hand thrust the wheat toward the black birds. They glided to the ground landing with ease, and took the wheat out of his hand. The prince was speechless, but thanked and praised the Lord within his heart.
On his return to the castle, if no one thought he was mad before, they now did. For sure as you are reading this story, the birds were flying right behind him, just as the wolf had walked.
The very next day the prince set out for the big man's hut. But no sooner was the prince outside the castle, when he again needed more strength. Praying again to the Lord, he asked him to aid him once more. So it was that the prince finally came upon the big man's hut. He needed not even to call to the man, for as soon as the man had seen him coming he had charged at him.
Then the voice came for the third time: "Stretch out your arms in the form of a cross and embrace the man."
The prince stood still only one moment before he carried out the Lord's will. Stretching his arms out, he embraced the big man-but not only the big man, for as you know the Lord is within all of us.
Then as gentle as a child, the big man hugged him back. Tears flowed from both of their eyes. Hand in hand they walked back to the castle.
After that, the prince made no more foolish mistakes, and was growing more faithful to our Lord every day. And forever after, he was seen with a white wolf, three big black birds, and a giant man.

THE END