Long ago in Ireland, there once was a king who had horse’s ears. He manages to keep his misfortune a secret by growing his hair long and only having it cut once a year by a barber, who was then put to death. But, when a poor widow’s son is chosen to be his new barber, the King agrees to let him live, provided he never tell a living soul what he has seen.

The Talking Cat E:186
The Talking Cat E:186 When a stingy old lady agrees to let a passing woodsman come and stay with her and her cat, Chou-chou, to help her with her household