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L
“But I will die if I tell anyone the secret,” replied Bifan.
The druid told him to share the secret with the reeds bordering a river.
All alone, Bifan whispered the secret. He soon felt well again.
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M
Long ago in Wales, there lived a wealthy king called March Ab Meirchion.
King March should have been a very happy man, but he wasn’t.
He had a shameful secret. He had ears like a horse!
To cover them, he grew his hair long and always wore a special crown.
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Suddenly, King March burst out laughing and dropped his sword.
He was relieved that his secret finally was out. He took off his crown and showed his horse’s ears to all his guests.
King March's subjects cheered loudly. They loved their wise king (horse-ears and all).
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Once a year, King March’s long hair was cut.
The barber, Bifan, had sworn a sacred oath never to tell anyone
about the king’s horse-ears. If he did, his head would be cut off.
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On the day of the feast, after everyone had eaten, the piper played for King March and his guests.
To everyone’s surprise, the pipe sang out, “King March has horse’s ears! King March has horse’s ears!” over and over again.
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King March was humiliated. His secret was out!
He drew his sword to kill the piper who fell on his knees begging for mercy.
Bifan the barber feared for his head, too.
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The barber kept the secret for many years. But it made him ill and depressed.
A wise druid was called for. “You will die if you do not share the secret,” said the druid.
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King March decided to hold a feast. He sent for the best piper in Wales.
On his way to the castle, the piper passed the spot by the river where Bifan the barber
had whispered his secret. The piper cut a fine reed and made a new pipe to play at the feast.
