The King, the Village, and the Poisoned Well
Author unknown, written from recollection.Once upon a time, in a quiet and prosperous land, there was a village. The village was ruled by a kindly King who lived alone in a castle on a hill overlooking the village. The King and his subjects lived simple and peaceful lives. Everybody was happy and contented, and nobody ever though things would change.
On the edge of the land a wicked witch lived in a dark damp cave. She hated the villagers because they were so happy. And she despised the King because he was a good and kind man. So one night she sneaked into the village and poisoned the villagers' well.
The next day the villagers drank from the well as normal, and each and every one of them went insane. Soon the villagers were very unhappy and far from contented. All the villagers knew was that the King had suddenly started acting very strange.
The King, who had his own well, soon worked out what had happened. So in the middle of the night he sneaked down to the villagers' well and drank deeply. By the morning he too was insane.
When the villagers worked out their king was no longer acting strange they rejoiced. Soon everybody was happy and contented again. And they all lived happily ever after.