There was once a King's son who went out into the world, full of thought and sadness. He looked at the beautifully pure and blue sky, sighed, and said, "How well must all be with one up there in heaven!"
He saw a poor gray-haired man approaching and asked him, "How can I get to heaven?" The man answered, "By poverty and humility. Put on my ragged clothes, wander the world for seven years, and learn what misery is. Take no money; if you are hungry, ask compassionate hearts for a bit of bread. In this way, you will reach heaven."
The King's son took off his magnificent coat, wore the beggar's garment, and went out into the wide world, suffering great misery. He ate little, spoke little, and prayed to the Lord to take him into heaven.
When the seven years ended, he returned to his father's palace, but no one recognized him. He asked the servants to tell his parents and brothers of his return, but they laughed and left him standing. At last, one servant told the King's children, but they did not believe it.
He then wrote a letter to his mother, describing his misery but not revealing his identity. Out of pity, the Queen assigned him a place under the stairs and had two servants bring him food daily. One servant was ill-natured, kept the good food for himself or gave it to the dogs, and brought the weak beggar only water. The other servant was honest and brought him what was sent. It was little, but he could live on it for a while, remaining patient yet growing continually weaker.
As his illness worsened, he desired to receive the last sacrament. When the host was elevated during the mass, all the bells in the town and neighborhood began to ring. After mass, the priest went to the poor man under the stairs and found him dead. In one hand he held a rose, in the other a lily, and beside him was a paper with his history written on it.
When he was buried, a rose grew on one side of his grave and a lily on the other.