` Nothing , nothing , my son ; there is only one thing in the world that troubles me . ' ` What is that one thing ? ' asked he . ` Are you afraid your property is badly managed ? Let me go and look into the matter . ' This pleased the queen , and he rode off to the plain country , where his mother owned great estates ; but everything was in beautiful order , and he returned with a joyful heart , and said , ` Now , mother , you can be happy again , for your lands are better managed than anyone else 's I have seen . The cattle are thriving ; the fields are thick with corn , and soon they will be ripe for harvest . ' ` That is good news indeed , ' answered she ; but it did not seem to make any difference to her , and the next morning she was weeping and wailing as loudly as ever . ` Dear mother , ' said her son in despair , ` if you will not tell me what is the cause of all this misery I shall leave home and wander far through the world . ' ` Ah , my son , my son , ' cried the queen , ` it is the thought that I must part from you which causes me such grief ; for before you were born we vowed a vow to St. James that when your eighteenth birthday was passed you should make a pilgrimage to his shrine , and very soon you will be eighteen , and I shall lose you . And for a whole year my eyes will never be gladdened by the sight of you , for the shrine is far away . ' ` Will it take no longer than that to reach it ? ' said he . ` Oh , do n't be so wretched ; it is only dead people who never return . As long as I am alive you may be sure I will come back to you . ' After this manner he comforted his mother , and on his eighteenth birthday his best horse was led to the door of the palace , and he took leave of the queen in these words , ` Dear mother , farewell , and by the help of fate I shall return to you as soon as I can . ' The queen burst into tears and wept sore ; then amidst her sobs she drew three apples from her pocket and held them out , saying , ` My son , take these apples and give heed unto my words . You will need a companion in the long journey on which you are going . If you come across a young man who pleases you beg him to accompany you , and when you get to an inn invite him to have dinner with you . After you have eaten cut one of these apples in two unequal parts , and ask him to take one .
XXXXX he takes the larger bit , then part from him , for he is no true friend to you .
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