The Emerald Book
This is the story of a powerful and mighty king and his vanquished arrogance. Emperor Friz Gerald ruled the kingdom of Fanantra.
He had a daughter. She brought so much luck that on the day she was born, a three-year drought ended with torrential rains, the most beautiful grains in the kingdom grew in the fields, miners discovered a mine with unlimited gold, and good news arrived in the kingdom from friends and family abroad.
The child was special, and the fact that she brought good tidings was noticed not only by the king and his people, but also by the fairies who came to the palace to bless the newborn.
— Praise the great fairy of kindness! — You, my child, shall have a heart that will love everyone and be full of mercy and goodness. — Welcome, fairy of inspiration, to bless the princess! — Oh, good princess, the purest things shall inspire you. You will write poems like the sun and stars, and music with a rhythm like rivers and singing birds. — Receive with honor our fairy of wisdom! — You shall be wise. You will choose mercy, not revenge. You will prefer success and happiness, not arrogance. — And finally, receive the fairy of rare treasures! — Every tear you shed shall turn into a pearl.
The king scoffed at the words of the fairy of rare treasures.
— What kind of blessing is that? — It is a blessing, mighty king. Accept it with joy. — My daughter has brought only joy to the entire kingdom. Why would she cry? And if she does cry, she has enough gold and precious stones. She doesn't need pearls. — Oh, king, an arrogant king brings only trouble to his people and his kingdom. Pride is the enemy of goodness and wisdom. You insult a gift offered with pure intention. — But shouldn't the gift be worthy of respect? — You want proof that the gift is worthy of respect? Very well. When your daughter turns sixteen, she will get lost in the forest, and then only the tears from her eyes, which will turn into pearls, will lead you to her.
The fairies vanished from the court, leaving behind an oppressive silence. But the arrogant king remained unconcerned.
— With an army like mine, no child in the kingdom, especially the princess herself, can get lost in the forest. There is no reason to panic. Let the celebration begin!
The princess grew up, and according to the fairies' blessings, she was noble, merciful, loved nature, wrote poems inspired by the sun and stars, and created music inspired by flowing rivers and singing birds. She was a skilled rider and loved to roam through mountains and forests.
She was a happy, good, and cheerful child, loved by the entire kingdom, and before anyone realized it, she turned sixteen.
— On your birthday, my dear, what do you wish for from me on your special day? — Father, just one thing. Please let me go into the forest today. — I said no! — It's my birthday, Mother! I want to spend it with my friends, the trees, the bees, the rivers, and the springs. I promise to be back by noon. — I forbid it! — Oh, let her go. I will send her with our best soldiers. In fact, today I will go with her myself. Don't worry. — Oh, have you forgotten? Today she turned sixteen! — And have you forgotten that our army is the strongest in the world? Come, my dear, today I will go with you.
We leave the king and princess to their business in the forest and travel into the future. One day, a young count passed by the forest. He had been lost for a long time, but he wasn't worried, for the birds and springs kept him company. Suddenly, he saw a very, very old woman carrying a basket on her back. He wanted to help her, but he was stopped by a peasant passing by.
— Don't go near her. — Why, good sir? Don't you think we should help her? — She's strange. A woman her age wandering through the forest like that. She's not a normal woman. She's probably a witch. — So you don't know for sure if she's a witch or not. In any case, I'm going to help her. Grandmother, may I help you with that basket? — Be careful, it's heavy. — Perhaps for you, but not for me. — Don't be so sure, young man, and remember, once you pick it up, you won't be able to put it down until we reach my cottage beyond that hill. — Oh, certainly, if you can climb that hill with your frail legs, Grandmother, then so can I. Give me the basket. I won't put it down, I promise. — Remember, good people keep their promises. Think again! — I have thought about it, and I promise you. Give me your burden.
The Grandmother easily took the basket off her back and placed it on the count's back. But it was so heavy that the count almost fell.
— How heavy it is! How did you carry it? — Oh, the arrogance of youth! Have you realized you're not strong enough? — Of course I am! — Good, then walk. In any case, you promised you would carry it.
The count didn't understand how the basket, which the old woman lifted with such ease, was so heavy for him. But he carried it. When he reached the hill, he felt he could no longer carry it.
— Let me put it down for a few minutes. If I don't rest, I can't go on. — Oh, no! You promised! You cannot put it down. But when we reach my cottage, I will reward you.
So the poor count carried the basket with great difficulty and determination. Finally, they reached the old woman's cottage. As soon as they entered the gate, an entire flock of geese came to greet the old woman, like children greeting their mother.
— Ah, my little ones! Leave the basket under that tree. I will bring you something to drink.
The count happily did as he was told. He collapsed in the shade of the tree. A goose came towards him, holding a pitcher and a glass. The goose poured some sherbet into the glass and gave it to the count. The sherbet was so cold and refreshing that he felt his energy return immediately. The old woman also came.
— This count has been very good. He came to me and helped me carry the basket, and despite its weight, he kept his word and brought it all the way over the hill. Young man, now you deserve a reward. — Grandmother, I was arrogant and proud of my strength. You taught me how to be humble. That is my reward. — Well, I promised you something, and just as you did, I must keep my promise. Take this. It will bring you good fortune.
The count took the emerald book, thanked the old woman, and left. After a few days of wandering through the forest, he arrived in a city. He requested an audience with the king, hoping to find some work at the royal palace.
— Your Majesty, I am a skilled man and could help you, if you wish to test my qualities. As a gift, I offer you this, my most precious possession. — Father, this is my favorite spot! Look, from here you can see almost the entire forest! — Oh, how beautiful it is!
Suddenly, a thick
