The duty of a wife to bring back to the family fold a philandering husband by what ever means possible is powerfully evoked in this tale. Posing as a prostitute a queen has three children by him, the three burdens of the title, and proves the king’s liasons were with her.

Note: Although this story begins like ”The Three Sisters” it veers off in another direction.

Once there were three sisters that sewed for a living. Despite the king’s, orders prohibiting night work they continued to sew into the wee hours of the night. One evening, the king strolled by their window, and heard them talking. Said the oldest, “If I could marry the king’s baker, I would have plenty of bread to eat.” Said the middle sister, "If I could marry the kings cook, I would be eating meat and fish every day." The youngest said nothing but remained deep in thought. "What are you thinking?” said the two older sisters. “If I could marry the king”, she said pensively, “I would put three burdens on his head."

The next day, the king sent a message ordering the girls to come to the palace. Sternly, he spoke to the oldest, “Why have you disobeyed my orders?" "Your majesty, she said, her voice trembling with fear, “I work because I have to earn a living. There is no one to take care of me.” “I heard you talking last night,” he continued relentlessly, “Just tell me what you said, or I will punish you.” Frightened by the king’s words, she said timidly, “I only said that if I could marry the king’s baker, I would have plenty of bread to eat.” On hearing these words, the king called in his baker, and they were married.

Next, he spoke to the middle sister. “And you, what did you say last night?” "I said", she replied timidly, “that if I could marry the king's cook I wouldn't be hungry all the time.” On hearing these words, the king called in his cook, and they were married.

Finally, he spoke to the youngest sister. “And you, what did you say?” "I said," she replied boldly, “that if I could marry the king I would put three burdens on his head.” “Well, he said, “we’ll see about that, but you shall get your wish.” The next day they were married.

Soon after the ceremony, the king went to Jerez leaving his bride to fend for herself. Time passed, and when he did not return, she packed a valise, put on her prettiest dress, and followed him there. On arrival, she inquired about the whereabouts of the king, and was told that he rode along a certain street every day. She rented a room with a balcony overlooking the street, and waited for him to appear.

As he passed by, she beckoned him to join her. “What a beautiful woman,” he exclaimed, not recognizing her, and climbed up to the balcony. “Please do me the honor,” he said gently, “of taking a walk with me.” As they passed the flower vendor, she asked him to buy her a carnation, and put it in her hair. They had dinner together, and then went to bed. Later that night, after he had fallen asleep, drunk with wine, she slipped quietly out of the room, and returned to her own palace. When the king awoke the next morning and found himself alone, he was very angry indeed.

Nine months later, a son was born. The queen pinned the carnation to the baby’s clothes. Soon afterwards, the king returned home, but was not told about the new baby, and soon left on another trip, this time to Toulouse. As before, the queen followed him, stood at a balcony, prettier than ever, called to the king, and then asked him to buy her a silken belt. That night, when he fell asleep, she quietly left the room, and returned home. As before, the king was furious when he found himself alone.

Nine months later, another son was born, and the queen tied the belt around the baby's clothes. On his return, the king was not told about the second child, and soon left for Granada; the queen did exactly as before. When they went for a walk, she asked for a lace mantilla. “With pleasure I will buy it for you,” he said, “but I’m going to stay up all night to make sure you don’t run away like the others." This time, she put strong potion into the wine, and soon he fell asleep. When he awoke, and found her gone he was very dejected.

Nine months later, she gave birth to a little girl, and she covered the child with the mantilla. When the king returned from his journey this time, he was sad and dejected. "When you told me," he said to his wife, “that you would put three burdens on my head, what did you mean?” “My lord”, she said, "give me a few moments." First, she brought in the little boy of the carnation, next came the boy of the silken belt, and last the girl of the mantilla. "Here are the three burdens I promised you.” The king turned pale with shame, “This is the last time,” he said sadly, "I will ever leave my castle, my wife, and my family again.” He embraced her and all the children – they lived happily ever after.