The young king disliked his responsibilities and preferred to spend his time in the forest. A poor boy came to him seeking work to feed his family, as the forest near their home no longer provided enough game due to the king's men taking all the animals. The king agreed to help but instead spent the day enjoying the forest, returning the next day to find the boy's family had starved to death. Feeling guilty for being a poor ruler, the king fled into the forest to avoid making decisions, and his kingdom became a democracy in his absence.