The Adventures of Isabella
A Brave Girl
Fairy tales in Romanian. The Adventures of Isabella.
Once upon a time, there was a nobleman who had a daughter named Isabella. The nobleman was very proud of Isabella and taught her all the arts she enjoyed.
Isabella knew how to ride like an Amazon, fight like a warrior, and swim like a mermaid. She was also kind and graceful, and her heart filled with pity if she saw anyone suffering, be it human or animal.
The Desire for Adventure
When Isabella grew up, she wished to succeed on her own. She told her father:
— Father, you have taught me much, and I can manage on my own in the world. I want to leave and see how good I am and what I can achieve.
— Well, that's what a boy would tell his father at this age. But no boy is better than a girl, and no girl is better than a boy. What matters is what your heart desires and how capable you are. I know my daughter is capable. Go, my dear, go and fulfill your dreams, and take great care of yourself.
— Oh, thank you, Father! I assure you I will make you proud!
At the Hiring Fountain
So Isabella set off into the world. In the middle of the town was a fountain where people who needed things and employers met. Isabella went to the fountain and saw that there were already a few people there. They were all looking for work.
— What is a young lady doing here looking for work?
— Do you mean women can't work?
— Then work! Cook and clean at home! Heh heh heh!
Isabella said nothing more but remained steadfast by the fountain. After some time passed, a tall, strong man arrived, riding a giant horse. Another horse walked beside them. Seeing him there, most of the young men turned to leave the fountain.
Isabella was puzzled. She asked the man next to her:
— Why are you all leaving?
— Because he's a wizard who lives in a castle beyond the swamp. It's full of spirits and ghouls. Who would go to such a desolate and dangerous place?
— But the wizard seems kind and noble. Surely he knows how to protect his employees from spirits and ghouls.
Hired by the Wizard
— None of you have a brave heart and strong nerves. You flee like cowards. Will none of you come to work for me for at least a year?
— I will come to work for you, Sire!
— Very well. You will ride this horse.
Isabella and the wizard rode for a long time until they reached a desolate and barren swamp. The surrounding land was gray, stony, and sinister. Ghouls and spirits shrieked when they saw them coming, as they made their way to the castle.
— Stay calm, Isabella. These spirits and ghouls cannot harm you, for you are always protected by me. But if you allow fear to enter your heart, my spells cannot protect you.
Isabella decided not to be afraid and focused all her energy on doing her job for the wizard. She showed that she was capable, dedicated, intelligent, and efficient.
Leaving the Castle
The wizard was so pleased with Isabella's performance that he asked her to stay another year, and then another. Eventually, Isabella greatly wished to leave the swamp and see the green and beautiful world again.
— Please, don't just stay one year. I haven't found anyone as capable and efficient as you.
— Sire, I fear that if I stay longer, I won't be able to be as efficient as I am now. I yearn for the world outside again. You have been a wonderful and kind master. Thank you! But if I were to stay, I wouldn't be of help to you, for my heart desires something else. I am truly sorry.
— I am impressed by how direct and honest you are. Very well. If you wish, leave. But you have served me well, and I want to reward you. Take this. This pendant with a bird will come to life and make sounds when you are in danger. And this key will open any door in the world. This necklace will protect you from any enchantment, and whenever you need my help, just call me, and I will come in a flash.
Isabella in the Army
Isabella spent some time with her father, then left again to look for work, for her heart yearned for adventure. She wanted to be hired into the army of the King and Queen of the 12 Towers. The General was impressed by how she fought with a sword.
— Isabella, you are extraordinary, but we cannot hire a girl into the army.
— That's not fair, General!
— Well, that's the rule. I cannot break it, although I am trying to convince the King and Queen to change it. You know what? I can hire you if you look and act like a man.
— Why?
— Perhaps if you show that you are capable and the Prince is impressed by you, then I can convince them to accept women into the army. That is the only way. Think carefully.
At first, Isabella didn't want to dress as a man just to join the army. But after thinking it over, she was very excited about the adventure it would be. So she cut her hair, dressed as a soldier, and joined the army.
Captain Florian and the Prince
After a few weeks, the Prince returned home after defeating not one, but three wicked ogres. He was clearly the bravest and most noble prince. The entire kingdom was very happy he had returned.
— Oh, my son! You have made us proud!
— My dear, you are probably tired from so much traveling. You deserve a vacation. How about visiting your friends, the royal family in the Valley of Rivers? It is the most beautiful country in the world.
— A wonderful idea, Mother! Thank you!
The best soldiers and warriors were asked to go with the Prince on vacation. Isabella, now called Captain Florian, was asked if she wanted to go too. It was a long journey of several weeks. During this time, Isabella fell in love with the Prince, for he was noble, kind, and wise.
The Prince did not know she was Isabella, but he liked and trusted Captain Florian. Often fighting with him with swords, playing chess, and going for walks with him, while the rest set up camp for the remainder of the journey.
— Captain Florian, are you married?
— No, Your Highness.
— What kind of woman would you like to take as a wife?
— What kind of wife would you like?
— A brave, adventurous one, who can be both a warrior when needed, and a mother and friend to the people of the kingdom when needed.
At that moment, Isabella wanted to tell the Prince how much she loved him, but she held back, for she was Captain Florian.
— Are you alright?
— I'm sorry, Your Highness, excuse me.
The Witch's Garden
The next morning, as the convoy set off, the Prince suddenly saw a beautiful, golden lotus flower shining in the sunlight.
— What a unique and beautiful flower!
When the convoy stopped, the bird on Isabella's necklace came to life. Suddenly, she realized that the flower hid a danger. So she got off her horse and destroyed the flower before the Prince could touch it.
— I'm sorry, Your Highness, but the lotus is not yellow. This flower could have been dangerous.
— Yes, perhaps you are right.
After they had traveled further, they saw a beautiful, enchanting garden. A gentle breeze carried millions of charming scents from the flowers there. The fountain seemed to call to them, and everyone stopped to enter the garden. But the bird on Isabella's necklace came to life again.
— We shouldn't go in there. It could be dangerous.
— Now you're paranoid. It's a divine garden. What danger could there be? Let's all go in!
The Prince entered, and everyone was pleased. However, as soon as the last person entered the garden, everyone, except Isabella and the Prince, turned to stone.
— What happened?
— I told you it could be...
Before she could finish what she was saying, the water in the fountain rose, surrounded the Prince, and carried him into a giant 20-story tower in the middle of the garden.
This garden belonged to a witch who wanted to capture the brave Prince to make a huge sacrifice, for she planned to become the most powerful witch in the world. She wondered how Isabella hadn't turned to stone. She asked the green fire, and it replied:
— My wicked lady, she is protected by the necklace around her neck. The spells in the necklace are so powerful that you will never be able to harm her.
— Well, it doesn't matter! She still won't be able to help the Prince!
Each floor was blocked by a door with a huge lock. The witch was so sure that no one would be able to open 20 locks that she didn't place a guard there.
The Rescue and the Truth
However, while she was preparing for the sacrifice, Isabella took out the key from her necklace and, in a flash, opened all the doors and reached the Prince.
— Captain Florian! You found me! I'm sorry, I should have listened to your advice.
— We have no time to lose! Let's flee from here!
Both fled the castle, but the witch found out and chased after them in her dragon-like machine, flying easily over the Prince and Isabella.
— Stop! Oh, Prince, or else I will turn you into a rabbit!
Isabella was worried for the Prince, so she took off her necklace and put it around the Prince's neck to protect him. The witch's curse struck Isabella and turned her into a rabbit.
— Captain!
Isabella could do nothing, but suddenly she remembered the wizard's promise and asked for his help. Suddenly, the wizard appeared and turned the witch into a rabbit. He turned Isabella back into Captain Florian and then turned back those in the Prince's convoy who were now stone.
— Thank you, good sir! You saved our lives!
— Don't thank me, but her, dear Prince!
The wizard pointed his wand at Isabella, and suddenly she became herself again, with her long hair and her normal clothes.
— Isn't she brave?
— She is! And she risked her life for me!
— And not just because she is a brave soldier. She did it also because of a feeling called love. Have a pleasant journey!
The Happy Ending
And it truly was a pleasant journey. During this vacation, the Prince also fell in love with Isabella. They married and lived happily ever after, and the King and Queen were convinced to accept women into the army. And Isabella helped and trained the people of her kingdom.
The moral of the story is that it doesn't matter if you are a man or a woman, but what your heart desires and how capable you are.
