The tree shook, as though grasped by an unknown assailant. There was motion among the golden apples. This surprised the young prince, who had not generally known apples to move. He inched towards the tree in wonder; as he got closer he could hear a rustling in the tree’s highest leaves.

The prince startled as he heard a noise emanating from the topmost branches of the tree. To the prince this noise resembled possibly a human voice, but far deeper and more vibrant than any he had ever heard. The voice was not forming words, but rather was … humming, the prince would have called it if someone had asked.

“Who’s there?” the prince asked nervously, peering into the dark center of the tree. The voice suddenly stopped. “Hello?”

The voice resumed, with a slightly different tone, and the prince knew instantly what he was to do.