There was once on a time a poor man, who could no longer support his only son. Then said the son, "Dear father, things go so badly with us that I am a burden to you. I would rather go away and see how I can earn my bread." So the father gave him his blessing, and with great sorrow took leave of him. At this time the King of a mighty empire was at war, and the youth took service with him, and with him went out to fight. And when he came before the enemy, there was a battle, and great danger, and it rained shot until his comrades fell on all sides, and when the leader also was killed, those left were about to take flight, but the youth stepped forth, spoke boldly to them, and cried, "We will not let our fatherland be ruined!" Then the others followed him, and he pressed on and conquered the enemy. When the King heard that he owed the victory to him alone, he raised him above all the others, gave him great treasures, and made him the first in the kingdom.

从前有个穷人，穷得连自己的儿子都养不活。 儿子便对他说："好爸爸，我们现在的日子过得太糟了，而我又是你的一个负担。我现在想离开家，看能不能挣到饭吃。"父亲祝福了他，然后悲痛欲绝地送他出了家门。 这时候，一个强大帝国的国王正和人打仗，于是他便参加了国王的部队，上前线去打仗。他到达前线时正好赶上激烈的战斗，而且情况非常危急，他的战友们纷纷倒在敌人的弹雨中。当指挥官也牺牲时，剩下的人打算逃跑，可是这位年轻人站出来大着胆子对他们叫道："我们决不能让自己的祖国灭亡！"于是其他人跟在他的后面，在他的带领下打败了敌人。当国王得知这场胜利全靠他一个人时，就把他提升到最高的位置，给了他许多财富，使他一下子成了全国最显赫的人物。