The Forge in the Forest  by Padraic Colum

The third shoe was made; it was laid upon the ground and the air blew upon it, hardening it with invisible strokes. Then the King said, "There is another story to be told, and it should be a story that is different from the others, being one that can be told humorously as we look towards the blossoming tree yonder." The four brothers then looked anxiously one at the other, and then the one who was the eldest amongst them signed to the King and to the others to seat themselves so that they might look towards the blossoming tree. Then, resting against the anvil, he told them the story of: