Not so very long ago, in a land filled with green fields and babbling brooks, lived a kind old man named Knoist. He had three sons, and as Knoist grew older, he started to think, "Which of my boys should have my little house when I'm gone?"

So, he called his sons to him. "My dear boys," he said, "I love you all. But I want the son who learns the most useful and clever skill to have my house. Go out into the world, learn a trade, and then come back and show me what you can do."

The three sons, eager to please their father, set off on their adventures.

After some time, the first son returned. "Father!" he called out. "I have become a master barber!"
"A barber?" Knoist mused. "Show me what you can do."
Just then, a speedy hare hopped past. "Watch this!" said the son. He grabbed his razor and, with a flick of his wrist, he shaved the running hare so neatly it didn't even notice! Then, he took an egg and shaved the tiny hairs off its shell without cracking it.
Knoist clapped. "Very impressive, my son! That is a skillful trade indeed."

Soon after, the second son came home. "Father, I am here! I have become a master blacksmith!"
"A blacksmith, you say?" Knoist replied. "Let's see your skill."
At that moment, a horse galloped by at full speed. "Observe!" cried the son. He quickly grabbed his tools, and as the horse thundered past, he managed to put new shoes on all four of its hooves without it even slowing down!
Knoist's eyes widened. "Amazing! To shoe a horse at such speed is truly a marvelous skill!"

Finally, the third son arrived. "Father, I have returned! I have become a master of the sword!"
"A swordsman, eh?" said Knoist. "What can you show me?"
The son smiled. Just then, a light rain began to fall. The son drew his sword and twirled it above his head so fast and so skillfully that not a single drop of rain touched him. He stayed perfectly dry while the pitter-patter sounded all around.
Knoist nodded thoughtfully. "Incredible! To stay dry in a downpour using only a sword shows great mastery!"

Now Knoist had a problem. All three sons had learned truly wonderful and useful skills. How could he choose?
He thought for a long time. Then he said, "My sons, you have all learned amazing things. The barber can shave with such gentleness and precision. The blacksmith can work with speed and strength. And the swordsman can protect with such grace and skill."

He paused, looking at each of his talented sons. "It is impossible for me to say one skill is better than the others. You are all so clever, and you have all worked so hard."
So, Knoist declared, "Since you are all so skilled, and since you all clearly care for me, you shall all live here with me in the house. We will share it, and your wonderful skills will surely make our lives better together."

And so, Knoist and his three clever sons lived happily together in the little house, each using their unique talents to help one another, proving that every skill has its own special value.

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