Long ago, in a distant kingdom, there lived an elderly king. He had three sons, each a treasure to his heart, and he was constantly troubled by one question: After he passed away, to whom should he pass the throne? Each son possessed unique qualities, yet the king simply could not decide.
As death approached, the king summoned all three sons to his bedside. His voice was solemn as he declared: “My children, I am soon to leave you. I wish to pass the throne to the most worthy, yet all three of you are equally wise and equally dear to my heart. Since this is so, I shall change the criteria—the laziest among you shall become king!”
The Eldest Son’s Declaration of Laziness
The eldest son immediately piped up: “Father, the throne must be mine! For I am the laziest of all. Whenever I lie down to sleep, even if dust or insects fall into my eyes, I’m too lazy to wipe them away. Even when my eyes ache so much they won’t close, I sleep on regardless. Who could match my laziness?”
The Second Son’s “Fire Test”
The second son shook his head and chuckled, “No, no, no—I’m lazier than you. Father, the throne should be mine! When I sit by the fire to warm myself, even if the flames lick my toes, I’m too lazy to move my legs. Tell me, isn’t that lazier than you?”
The Second Son’s “Fire Test”
The youngest son slowly lifted his head, his voice even more composed: “What kind of laziness is that, brothers? Father, I am your true lazy son. If one day I were suspended in midair by a rope, the noose already tightening around my neck, even if someone placed a sharp knife in my hand to cut the rope and save myself, I wouldn’t bother to lift my arm. I’d rather hang there than move a muscle. That’s true laziness, right?“
The King’s Decision
After hearing all three sons’ answers, the king smiled and shook his head. He said to the third son, ”You truly are the laziest. Since that’s the case, the throne is yours.”
And so, the crown of the kingdom fell upon the head of the laziest son.
The Truth Behind the Story
This fairy tale uses exaggeration and humor to portray “laziness” in its most extreme form. Of course, no one in reality would be so lazy as to refuse to save themselves or move a burning foot, but the story deliberately exaggerates laziness to absurd levels, making readers chuckle. This technique of exaggeration is a hallmark of Grimm’s Fairy Tales: using extreme scenarios to satirize human weaknesses, allowing readers to discern deeper meanings within lighthearted stories.
In ancient European society, royal succession was a solemn matter. Yet this tale completely subverts convention by placing “the laziest person” on the throne—a contrast that heightens the story’s charm. The Brothers Grimm humorously illustrate that excessive laziness is absurd—even in fairy tales, it appears ridiculous.
Lessons from the Story
Though lighthearted and comical, the story conveys more than mere entertainment. It reminds us:
- Laziness robs one of agency: Those who are utterly lazy become incapable of even protecting themselves, leaving them vulnerable to danger and hardship.
- Exaggeration serves as a warning: By depicting extreme laziness, the story illustrates that shirking responsibilities is not a wise choice but a habit that leads to decline.
- The Importance of Responsibility: The throne symbolizes duty and power. Entrusting it to the laziest person is both ironic and a reminder that nations and families alike require proactive, responsible guardians.
After reading this tale, we might chuckle to ourselves, yet we also grasp: whether in reality or fairy tales, excessive laziness remains merely a joke. Diligence and responsibility are the true sources of strength.
