A long time ago, there was a happy prince and princess in a country. They took care of and loved each other very much, and their country was happy, too. Therefore they didn't envy anything else. There was one thing they worried about. They wanted to make sure they could live happily forever like this.
One day, one of the officials found out the couple's worry and told them, "Prince, I heard that there is a magic charm(吉祥饰物), and it can protect you from any unfortunate event. If you always carry the magic charm with you, your fear and worry will disappear." "Is it true? Where can I find that charm?" The prince asked him joyfully. "There is an old man in the forest, and he knows about everything. You can ask him."
The couple visited the old man, and asked for help with their worries and fears. The old man nodded his head as if he knew everything and said, "Travel all around the world. Then, when you meet a very happy couple, ask them to cut a piece of their underwear. If you keep the piece of the underwear, your fear and worry will go away."
The couple appreciated the old man's kindness and set out on the journey. The couple wandered around everywhere and heard about a happy knight (骑士) and his wife in a town. They went to visit the knight. "Are you really happy like the rumor?" Then the knight answered. "Of course, we are, Prince. But our only worry and problem is that we didn't have any children."
They had to find an absolutely happy couple, so they continued their journey. They visited a happy couple who were famous for their happiness in the next town. And they asked the couple if they were really happy. The couple answered. "Yes, we are very happy. But we have too many children. A mother with a large family of children never has a peaceful day. We worry too much about our children."
They could not get a magic charm this time too, and kept going on their trip. It was very hard to find the happiest couple in the world.
One day, the prince couple met a shepherd(牧羊人)and his wife in a big field.
……
Feeling disappointed and tired out, the prince couple decided to go back.