Once upon a time, in the ancient kingdom of Denmark, there lived a prince who set forth on a great quest to find a bride. Upon his faithful horse, he galloped to the furthest reaches of the realm; yet his search was in vain. The journey grew long and wearisome, leaving his spirit as heavy as his boots.

In his desperation, he sought a lonely hut at the edge of a dark wood. Inside, amidst the scent of dried herbs and woodsmoke, sat a wise woman. She peered at him through the gloom and spoke in a voice like rustling leaves: “Follow your heart’s hunger, my Lord; for your stomach shall be your truest guide.”

The prince departed in great bewilderment, for he did not understand the wise woman’s riddle. However, as the moon began to rise, a great hunger took hold of him, sharper than any sword. He halted at a humble cottage and knocked on the heavy oak door. The master of the house recognized the royal traveler at once and bowed low. “My Lord,” he cried, “how may I serve you in this hour?”

The prince replied, “I am perished with hunger. Grant me whatever food you have, so that I may find the strength to continue my quest for a queen.”

The man hurried to his kitchen. A moment later, there entered a young woman of wondrous beauty, the man’s daughter, bearing a roast pork sandwich upon a tray of purest gold. The prince took the offering in his trembling hands, and at the very first taste, as the crackling crunched and the red cabbage sang, his heart was conquered.

“Mmm, Flæskestegssandwich!” he cried out in his native tongue, his eyes wide with wonder, before he finished every morsel as if it were a holy feast.

Watching from his window, the father saw his daughter and the prince mount the great horse together. With a thunder of hooves, they galloped toward the castle towers, leaving a trail of stardust behind them.

It was love at first bite, and they lived in joy and plenty for all their days.

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