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护身符

　　As they traveled on， they came to a country where they heard of an honest citizen who lived in perfect unity and happiness with his wife. So to him they went， and asked if he really was as happily married as people said.

　　“Yes， I am， answered the man. “My wife and I live in perfect harmony; if only we didn't have so many children， for they give us a lot of worries and sorrows!

　　So neither with him was the talisman to be found， and the Prince and the Princess continued their journey through the country， always inquiring about happily married couples; but none presented themselves.

　　One day， as they rode along fields and meadows， they noticed a shepherd close by the road， cheerfully playing his flute. Just then a woman carrying a child in her arm， and holding a little boy by the hand， walked towards him. As soon as the shepherd saw her， he GREeted her and took the little child， whom he kissed and caressed. The shepherd's dog ran to the boy， licked his little hand， and barked and jumped with joy. In the meantime the woman arranged a meal she had brought along， and then said， “Father， come and eat now! The man sat down and took of the food， but the first bite he gave to the little boy， and the second he divided between the boy and the dog. All this was observed by the Prince and the Princess， who walked closer， and spoke to them， saying， “You must be a truly happily married couple.