According to the tradition, Siebenbrünnlein at the Laudachsee (Austria) used to be the home of despotism and a cruel king. The king lived in his castle with his seven sons, whom he dearly loved. One day, the king met an old lady who had fallen from “the Traunstein” (a mountain) and stumbled into the king’s hunting area begging for help. The king refused did not allow people in his hunting area; he attacked the lady with his knife. Suddenly the earth started to shake, and the woman screamed a horrible curse. It frightened the king when he discovered the woman turned was the witch Kranawitha, who lived in the mountains of Salzkammergut and was disguised as an old lady. The witch hit a rock with her stick seven times, and a fountain arose with every strike. Then, with a scornful smile the witch returned to the mountains. Fearing the worst, the king hurried back to his castle and his seven sons; but as he feared, the castle was empty. The witch punished the murderous king for his awful behaviour and transformed the seven sons into seven fountains. According to tradition, the king went up into the mountains and the castle was abandoned by the time he returned. Even today, during stormy nights, one can still hear the king crying and groaning. And the seven sons are still waiting, as fountains, for their release.
