So the eldest of the three went one day into his father 's room and put the question straight out ; but , instead of answering , the man flew into a fearful rage , and sprang at him with a knife . The young fellow ran away in a terrible fright , and took refuge with his brothers , who were awaiting anxiously the result of the interview . ` You had better go yourselves , ' was all the reply they got , ` and see if you will fare any better . ' Upon hearing this , the second son entered his father 's room , only to be treated in the same manner as his brother ; and back he came telling the youngest , the fool of the family , that it was his turn to try his luck . Then the youngest son marched boldly up to his father and said to him , ` My brothers would not let me know what answer you had given to their question . But now , do tell me why your right eye always laughs and your left eye always weeps . ' As before , the father grew purple with fury , and rushed forwards with his knife . But the simpleton did not stir a step ; he knew that he had really nothing to fear from his father . ` Ah , now I see who is my true son , ' exclaimed the old man ; ` the others are mere cowards . And as you have shown me that you are brave , I will satisfy your curiosity . My right eye laughs because I am glad to have a son like you ; my left eye weeps because a precious treasure has been stolen from me . I had in my garden a vine that yielded a tun of wine every hour -- someone has managed to steal it , so I weep its loss . ' The simpleton returned to his brothers and told them of their father 's loss , and they all made up their minds to set out at once in search of the vine . They travelled together till they came to some cross roads , and there they parted , the two elder ones taking one road , and the simpleton the other . ` Thank goodness we have got rid of that idiot , ' exclaimed the two elder . ` Now let us have some breakfast . ' And they sat down by the roadside and began to eat . They had only half finished , when a lame fox came out of a wood and begged them to give him something to eat . But they jumped up and chased him off with their sticks , and the poor fox limped away on his three pads . As he ran he reached the spot where the youngest son was getting out the food he had brought with him , and the fox asked him for a crust of bread .
The simpleton had not very much for himself , but he gladly gave half of his meal to the hungry XXXXX .
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