Verily, a Witch must be the most gruesome Creature that Man can behold. For it is told that, long ago in a little Kingdom, such a Witch did dwell, and this was a Disgrace. Not enough that the Witch was ugly to behold - she was also possessed of the habit of robbing Man of his Gift of remembrance of Things beautiful, good, and intimate. It was said that, by the darkness of Night, the Witch might steal upon a Man, show her grim Face and recite the most bewitching of Riddles. It was said by some that these Riddles could not be solved. Thus it came to pass that a poor Cobbler was asked: How may one listen with interest to what every Man says in the whole World, and at the same time take pleasure in the Croaking of a Frog? Solving the Riddles was of such a difficult nature that Man, in Truth, forgot himself; his Mind became deranged and empty in the attempt, and it was utterly dreadful.
                   “That is the purest Nonsense – the Witch does exist only in the Imagination of Madmen,” called the Cuckoo about the cunning Witch.
                   “Talk of the Witch is as true as though uttered from the Mouth of the Rural Dean, Himself,” said a wise Owl, and did look to speak the Truth, but it was not to say who was right – for Witches are not put into this World to prove that they do exist. Yet, all the Citizens of the Kingdom did keep indoors at Night, for it was both cold and dark outside.

It came to pass that all the talk of the Witch did one day become too much for the King of the little Land. He therefore decided to send a number of good Citizens out to find the Witch and bid her conduct her Pranks some other Place in the World. Yet All did return, as one, speculating about Riddles and having failed in their Mission. Finally the King considered sending his two eldest Sons out to drive away the Witch. Both were trained in the Art of doing battle with the strongest of Foes. The third and youngest Son was not of much worth in this regard. He was no Warrior, for he was capable only of playing his Violin, though at this he was better than any Other. When he played his instrument, the sound was such that it was difficult for others to continue the appearance of both anger and anxiety, and this was something of a Feat.

“He of you who succeeds in making an end to the Witch shall follow me on the Throne,” said the King to his Sons, as they were sitting at the abundant dining Table.
                   “It shall be I!” did all three say in unison, and looked in wonder at one another, believing each other’s self-confidence to be groundless. So it was that all three must set out – to seek the Witch and their Father’s Kingdom.

As Preparation for their Task the two eldest Brothers had learned from the wisest Men in the Land the Answers to all the Riddles of the whole World. And of these Answers there were not so few, for the World was immense in those days. However, the Riddle - how to listen with interest to that which every Person says while being able to enjoy the Croaking of a Frog – proved too difficult, even for the wise Men. Finally, one of the wise Men decided that the Solution must be to fell all the Forest’s Trees around the Pond. Thus would the Sound of the Frog’s Croaking be amplified and would blend equally with the speaking of all People. Upon hearing this, the youngest Son smiled, picked up his Violin, and sang:

“Perchance one should live like the Water, be close to all, and slide in silence over the Land.”

But, as he was merely for Amusement and therefore neither Professor nor Master of a Guild, no one listened. Already the Evening of the next Day the three Brothers set out to meet the Witch, and soon they came to a halt in the middle of a Path in the Forest.
                   “Hush!” said the youngest. “I hear something – or is it a Mouse at play on the Forest Floor?”
                   “No – look!” said the eldest Brother and pointed along the Path in front of them. Not far away they saw the ugly Witch walking in their Direction.
                   A Moment later, they were in her Proximity and without introducing herself she asked:  “How does one find clarity when Life offers pain?”
                   “I know not about you, you ugly, old Witch, but I prefer to find clarity by hewing that which stands in my Way,” said the eldest Brother, and grabbed his Sword in order to chop off her Head. But despite her old age the Witch made a hasty retreat. With her gnarled hand she raised her magic Wand and the eldest Brother fell into deep Thought. Then she turned toward the two others in the same Moment as the youngest grabbed his Violin, and sang:

“A Soul, like the Salmon, high must spring, in order to behold the Water’s Ring.”

The Witch smiled and asked: “Why is it better to have one good Friend than to speak with all People in the World?”
                   “Uhmmm …” the middle brother answered. “In truth, that was an odd Question … Is it not best to be capable of speaking with as many as possible?” Grabbing his Sword he added: “And capable of avoiding as many Difficulties as possible!” The Witch raised her Wand and the middle Brother did fall into deep Thought. Again, the youngest Brother took his Violin and sang:

“Like Honesty, Friendship’s roots grow deep; without them, there’s no Love to keep.”

The Witch did look at him and say: “You are not a Person of knowledge – your Words spring from the freshest of Sources. This I like. You do not reach for your Weapon; your Thoughts are from the Heart – not the Brain. From Land to Land I travel, and in each Land I do seek a rare Person. One who does know the magic Words about that which is near, beautiful and good – a Person who does yet dare allow Mystique in the World.”
                      The youngest Brother did listen briefly to the Witch and to the Forest. Then he took his Violin and sang:

“That which is beautiful is good, and the Good is dependent on he who sees. That which is close is forgotten by he whom nothing can appease.”

Then the ugly Witch did smile, and her Face light up in a white Color, and with a hissing sound she disappeared in a Cloud of golden Dust.
                      “What has happened?” said the oldest Brother.
                      “What has happened?” said the middle Brother.
                      “Certainly we have all awoken!” said the youngest and picked up the Witch’s Magic Wand.

And thus did the Story end – and it is true enough, for it did happen because it is embodied and printed in a Textbook.