LONG ago there lived a monarch, who was such a very, honest man that his
subjects entitled him the Good King. One day, when he was out hunting,
a little white rabbit, which had been half-killed by his hounds,
leaped right into his majesty's arms. Said he, caressing it: "This poor
creature has put itself under my protection, and I will allow no one to
injure it." So he carried it to his palace, had prepared for it a neat
little rabbit-hutch, with abundance of the daintiest food, such as
rabbits love, and there he left it.

The same night, when he was alone in his chamber, there appeared to
him a beautiful lady. She was dressed neither in gold, nor silver,
nor brocade; but her flowing robes were white as snow, and she wore a
garland of white roses on her head. The Good King was greatly astonished
at the sight; for his door was locked, and he wondered how so dazzling a
lady could possibly enter; but she soon removed his doubts.

"I am the fairy Candide," said she, with a smiling and gracious air.
"Passing through the wood where you were hunting, I took a desire to
know if you were as good as men say you are I therefore changed myself
into a white rabbit and took refuge in your arms. You saved me and now I
know that those who are merciful to dum beasts will be ten times more so
to human beings. You merit the name your subjects give you: you are the
Good King. I thank you for your protection, and shall be always one
of your best friends. You have but to say what you most desire, and I
promise you your wish shall be granted."

"Madam," replied the king, "if you are a fairy, you must know, without
my telling you, the wish of my heart. I have one well-beloved son,
Prince Cherry: whatever kindly feeling you have toward me, extend it to
him."

"Willingly," said Candide. "I will make him the handsomest, richest, or
most powerful prince in the world: choose whichever you desire for him."

"None of the three," returned the father. "I only wish him to be
good--the best prince in the whole world. Of what use would riches,
power, or beauty be to him if he were a bad man?"

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