there were once upon a time a king and queen who had no children, and they took it so much to heart that they hardly ever had a happy moment. one day the king stood in the portico and looked out over the big meadows and all that was his. but he felt he could have no enjoyment out of it all, since he did not know what would become of it after his time. as he stood there pondering, an old beggar woman came up to him and asked him for a trifle in heaven's name. she greeted him and curtsied, and asked what ailed the king, since he looked so sad.