The Prince and the Shoe

While hunting, a prince came upon a city where he saw a woman combing the hair of a black deo as it slept. Seeing the prince, the woman signalled for him to leave and return later, warning that it thirsted for human blood.

Ignoring her warning, the prince dismounted, drew his sword, entered the chamber, and struck the sleeping deo, severing both its feet. The demon cried out and, still clutching the woman's hand, leapt into a nearby well, leaving the prince standing at its edge.

The prince returned home with one of the woman's shoes and told his father of the adventure. His father, who had several wives, gave the shoe to one of them, which led to a quarrel. He therefore asked the prince to bring back another shoe like the first.

The prince returned to the city and found the same well just inside its gate. Although the city was wealthy, it was completely deserted. He found a rope, fastened it to a strong beam, and descended into the well.

At the bottom, he discovered the deo lying dead and the woman sitting beside it. Using the rope, he brought her safely out and asked why the city had been left in such a state.

The woman explained that she was the princess of the city. The deo had fallen in love with her and, in order to possess her, had destroyed the kingdom and killed all its inhabitants.

The prince and the princess then searched through many shops in nearby cities for shoes, and she showed him her palaces and possessions. After seeing everything, the prince left her in her palace, promising to return soon, and went home with the shoes he had collected.

Shortly afterwards, the prince returned with many followers to repopulate the city. He married the princess, and they lived happily for the rest of their lives.