The Last of the Picts (A Scottish Legend)

4.9

Once upon a time there were people in Scotland called Picts. They were short, with red hair and long arms.

The Picts were famous for the ale they made. Many people wanted to know how they made it, but the Picts did not tell anyone their secret.

Then the Picts were at war with the Scots and soon all of them but two were killed. These two were a father and his son.

The King of the Scots ordered that these men be brought before him.

"If you don’t tell us the secret of the ale," said the King, "we shall kill you."

"Well," said the older man to the King, "I see it is useless to resist. But before I tell you the secret, you must do one thing for me."

"What is that?" asked the King.

"Will you promise to do it if it does not harm you?"

"I promise," said the King.

"Then," said the Pict, "you must kill my son first, and I'll tell you how we make the ale."

The King was surprised, but he ordered the Pict's son to be killed.

When the Pict saw that his son was dead, he stood before the King and cried:

"Now do what you like with me. My son was only a small boy and perhaps you could make him tell you the secret. But though you may kill me, you will never make me tell you how we made the ale."