Exposition: The father tells his four sons that he
has nothing for them. The brothers go their
separate ways and learn a trade from a person
they meet while traveling. One brother becomes
a thief, one a stargazer, one a hunter, and one a
tailor. After four years, they return to their
father's house.
Rising action: When they get home, their father
tests their new skills with a challenge. He asks
them to determine the number of eggs in a nest
steal them without the bird noticing, slice the
eggs in half with one arrow, and sew them back
together. After they complete this challenge, the
brothers can't figure out which one of them
deserves their father's prize. They then hear that
the king's daughter has been kidnapped by a
dragon. They decide to settle the dispute by
saving the princess.
Climax: They all cooperate to save the princess.
Together, they discover where she is, steal her
from the dragon, kill the dragon, and sew a boat
back together. Then they take her back to the
king safely.
Falling action: When they get to the king, no one
can determine who deserves to marry the
princess.
Resolution: The king decides to let his daughter
marry another man she loves. He gives each of
the brother's half a kingdom instead.
