King Alfred of England once led his army into battle and was defeated. To save his life, he had to flee through woods and swamps.
One evening, he came to a woodcutter's hut. Tired and hungry, he begged the woodcutter's wife for food and shelter. He was ragged and dirty, so she did not recognize him as the king. Taking pity, she invited him in and gave him a seat by the fire.
She was baking cakes. "I must go and milk the cow," she said to Alfred. "Watch the cakes and make sure they don't burn."
The king agreed, but his mind was preoccupied with thoughts of his army, and he soon forgot about the cakes. When the woman returned a short while later, she found them burning. Angry, she struck the king with a stick and cried, "You lazy fellow! You want to eat, but you do not want to work!"