On the advice of his chief counsel Julius, old Lord Gundolf offers the throne to whichever of his sons brings him the finest carpet. He blows three feathers into the air for the boys to follow. The eldest brothers Gerhard and Gebhard are sure they'll win the contest. One goes east and the other goes west. Both make fun of the youngest, Gustav, whom they call "Simpleton", because his feather flies into a forest.