The Star Fruit Tree Fairy Tale

Long ago there lived two brothers. When their father died, the greedy elder brother took everything and left the younger one only a little hut and a single star fruit tree. When you slice a star fruit, it looks just like a star.

The younger brother cared for the tree lovingly, and one year it gave a rich harvest. One day a big, beautiful bird landed in the tree and began to peck at the fruit. "Bird, if you eat my fruit, how will I live?" said the young man sadly.

The bird spoke like a person. "For every fruit I will pay you in gold. Sew a bag three hand-spans long and come with me." The young man sewed a bag three hand-spans long and climbed onto the bird's back.

The bird carried him across the sea to an island full of gold. The young man filled his bag and took nothing more. Back home, he built a house and helped his neighbours.

When the elder brother heard this, he traded all his wealth for the star fruit tree. When the bird came, he sewed a bag twelve hand-spans long. On the island he stuffed not only the bag but all his pockets with gold.

Over the sea, the bird grew tired of the heavy load and shook its wings. The elder brother would not let go of the gold, and he fell into the sea. The younger brother went back to caring for his tree and lived happily.