Belinda and Bellamant
Fairy tales in Romanian. Belinda and Bellamant. The sound of bells is a joyful and delightful sound. But did you know that the sound of bells actually comes from many tiny people who live inside each bell, singing with joy when a bell is rung?
In a certain kingdom, there were two enormous bell towers, with two enormous bells. One of the bells was rung when a prince was born in the kingdom, and the other when a princess was born. But, at the time of our story, 200 years had passed since a princess had last been born in the kingdom.
The little people in this bell were tired of waiting for their bell to be rung. So one day they organized a meeting.
— It's been 200, 200 years since our bell was rung. It's terrible! — I'm 10 years old and I don't even know what it's like for the bell to be rung.
So the little people in the bell put a huge sign on their bell.
— This is our bell. We'll be back in 50 years. Do not enter!
And they left, looking for other bells to stay in. Some went into school bells, others into cowbells, others into baby rattles.
The Bell Villains
In the world of bells, there were also villains, little people who were lazy and mean. They didn't want to help other little people in bells or to work. So some of these lazy villains saw the enormous bell and immediately occupied it.
— Oh, a bell that hasn't rung in 200 years. It's the perfect place for us. We won't have any work at all. No one will bother us. How wonderful!
Another 30 years passed. The bell never rang, because no princess had been born in the kingdom, and it was ruled by the princes who had been born until then. So the bell villains led a perfect life without working.
The Birth of Princess Belinda and the Curse
Then, one beautiful morning, after 230 years, a princess was finally born in the kingdom. Oh, what joy there was at the birth of Princess Belinda!
Finally, a princess was to come to rule after so many years of waiting. The kingdom's bell ringers ran to the enormous bell and rang it 100 times. The bell villains didn't like this at all.
— Who is disturbing our sleep? We were finally at peace and we can't even stay here? We will not tolerate this. We must teach the naughty princess a lesson.
So the villains snuck into the palace in the middle of the night. They went to the princess's cradle and...
— Princess, we curse you, for because of you we can no longer rest. May it be that every day, except Sunday, if you show your face to someone, that someone will be sick for a week. So no one will ever want to see your face. The spell will only break if you find a bell that hasn't been rung for 200 years.
And so it was. Anyone who saw the princess's face on any day other than Sunday would fall ill. So the princess wore a veil every day, except Sunday. The King consulted all the astrologers and wizards in the kingdom, but no one knew how to break the spell. And many years passed.
The Talking Bat
One Sunday, the princess saw an injured bat. Although the princess was afraid of bats, she took care of this one.
— Oh, poor thing, it looks injured. There, are you better now? I'll ask for an ointment for your wound. — Princess! — Ah, you can talk? — All creatures talk, princess, but only those with a pure heart can hear them, and you have a wonderful heart. — Well, if that were true, I wouldn't be cursed to... — Oh, that's a curse from the bell villains from when you were born. I was sitting in a tree near your window and heard everything they said.
And so, the bat told her everything about the bell villains and that the spell could only be broken if the princess found a bell that hadn't been rung for 200 years. The princess was very happy. She thanked the bat and ran to her parents.
The Search Begins
— Father, I want to find that bell! — A bell that hasn't been rung for 200 years? Where would you find it? — If the curse exists, then the solution must also exist somewhere in the world. — I will send my army to find it. There's no need for you to go. — Father, it's my destiny. I must go. Please! — You're right, it's your destiny. Take care, my dear.
So the princess left to find a bell that hadn't been rung for 200 years. She met wizards and magicians, but no one had heard of such a bell.
Meeting Bellamant
One night, as she rested in a cave, she heard a noise.
— Who are you? I have a sword! So don't come any closer! — Oh, easy, easy. Hello, I am Prince Bellamant from the land of Kentsburg. — And what are you doing here? — I'm glad to meet you too. If you want to know, I'm cursed and trying to find a solution. And you, what are you doing here? — What is your curse? — Hm. How did you say your word? Are you cursed too? — Ah, yes. If you see my face on any day other than Sunday, the gentleman will be sick for a whole week. — Wow, what an ugly curse! Mine is from the fairy of bad luck. Because my parents forgot to invite her to my christening. She cursed me. If I show my face to someone on Sunday, that someone will have terrible bad luck all week. Let me guess, you're looking for a remedy too? — Yes. — I thought it was my destiny, so I have to try. — What's your remedy? — I have to find a 200-year-old bell that hasn't been rung. And what's your remedy? — I have to find 200 bells that are 200 years old, and all of them must have been in the same place for 200 years. And I have to hear them for 20 minutes. — Mine, mine is easy, isn't it? — Easy? Not at all! First of all, where can I find 200 bells that are 200 years old and have been in the same place for 200 years? And even if I find them, to hear 200 bells ringing constantly? I tried with 10 normal bells, but I can't even last a minute. Especially 200 bells for 20 minutes. That would drive me crazy. But I have to find the cure. I can't spend every Sunday hiding my face. — What if we went together and helped each other? — Exactly!
The Bell Magician
So the prince and princess decided to find the cure together. And soon, they became good friends. One night, something strange happened. They were walking towards a village and an ox cart passed by them. The bells on the oxen's necks began to ring. But when they approached the prince and princess, they heard the little bell people singing a strange song.
— Come on, Belinda and Bellamant! We know what you want, follow our advice and move on!
Then, the cart stopped. The bells stopped ringing and the song ended. The next night, the two took shelter in a school. The caretaker's son, who had come with his father, wanted to ring the bell. Although his father wouldn't let him, he found it fun to ring the bell at night. So he rang the school bell and started to laugh. When he rang the bell, Belinda and Bellamant heard another song.
— Oh, go north, climb the mountain and continue! There is the bell magician and he will break your spells!
When Princess Belinda and Prince Bellamant climbed the white mountain, they reached a strange cabin, which looked like a giant bell. Before they knocked on the door, it opened.
— I was expecting you! Take off your veil, princess! The curses of the little bell people don't affect me. — You knew we were coming? Do you know the curse? — Yes, the bells told me. They sing and talk, you know. The little people in them? — Oh, yes, they do! But it's strange! You hear them, because you are the bell magician, but us? How is it that suddenly we can hear the bells too? — All my life I've heard the bells ringing. — Well, it takes something special, like a special language to be revealed to you, princess. And that special thing is true love and kindness. — What? Didn't your kindness make you understand the bat's words? — Yes! — Likewise, the true love between the two of you made you understand the bells. — True love? — What? Didn't you realize? You set out to find your destiny and found each other. Each is the other's destiny. You stayed together on this tiring journey. So, do you want the cures first or shall we have dinner? — We want the cures! — Very well! My soup is very good, but come with me!
The Cures for the Curses
The magician led them into a huge room, full of bells. He searched through a large pile and took out a bell.
— This one is for you. You saw my garden, didn't you? I said it would be fun to have vines growing from bells, instead of from normal pots. So I created this bell with the seed of life. It's 200 years old, but I haven't managed to perfect it yet. It cannot be rung. Look, you try!
Belinda tried, but the bell didn't make any sound at all. So her curse was lifted.
— Your spell has been broken and for the first time we see each other face to face. — Come with me!
Your cure is clear now, for you can hear what the little bell people are saying. The magician led them into another room, full of bells tied with a single enormous rope. He pulled the rope with force and all 200 bells, 200 years old, began to sing. But instead of the usual noise, Belinda and Bellamant heard the most beautiful orchestra of the little bell people.
They kept singing and didn't even realize that 20 minutes had passed, and the prince's spell was broken. — Let's dance! — Your spell is broken! How happy I am for you!
Conclusion
Well, Belinda and Bellamant returned home, no longer suffering from any curse. Belinda ruled her kingdom, and Bellamant his, with wisdom, courage, and kindness. Their friendship grew and soon they accepted that they had fallen in love with each other. They married and ruled together.
As for the villainous bell people? After 50 years, the good little people returned and chased away the bad ones. Thus, when Belinda and Bellamant had a daughter, the big bell was rung for a very, very long time. And the little bell people rejoiced that they had returned home.
In life, we encounter many problems, our own little curses, but if we are determined and courageous to overcome obstacles, like Belinda and Bellamant, no bad luck can stand in the way of our happiness and success.
