The relationship that my two brothers and I have with the animals started one day when we went out hunting. We had gone some way through a thick wood when we came upon a grey wolf and her three cubs. Just as we went to shoot, the wolf said, “Don’t shoot me, and I will give one of my cubs to each of you. They will be faithful friends to you.”

We agreed, and went on our way with a little wolf following each of us. The same thing happened with a lioness and her cubs, a fox, a hare, a boar, and a bear. Now we have quite a few friends walking with us, and we have much to learn about one another!

Prince with Animal Following, in The Three Princes and Their Beasts, Violet Fairy Book. Picture by Marc Simont.