Brave Dave
Fairy Tales in Romanian.
The Witch and the Thief
A long, long time ago, in a dense forest, an old witch settled down. She was tired, for she had traveled around the world in search of a thief. The wicked one, who had stolen her treasures.
— I've waited a long time to get my hands on your treasures. Now that you are old and weak, I've finally taken them! If you want your treasures back, witch, come and get them from beyond the great river.
— You wicked one! You know nothing of my power! I will find you! I will face you and I will take my treasures back!
The Witch's Plan
Now that she knew where the wicked one lived, the witch settled near the great river. But the witch was old, and although she had magic, she didn't have the strength to fight the demon. She needed help. Just beyond the forest, there was a small village. The witch devised a plan to find help.
— Come on! Faster, you lazy ones! — No matter how hard we try, we can't catch up to you.
Meeting Dave
— Come on! Come! Come to me, child! You have work to do!
Trying to jump for the ball, Dave fell and found himself in the witch's hut.
— Oh! Who are you? A witch? — Yes! I am a witch. Am I too ugly for you? Just because I'm different? I knew no human would help an ugly old woman like me. So I had to trick you to bring you here. But go! I still have magic. I'll manage! — I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you. — All you humans are like that. You think all witches are evil, as if there weren't bad humans too. Come on, leave! — I'm sorry. Please tell me, Auntie, how can I help you? — Are you sure? — Yes! But I have one request. My parents are worried. Can you please cast a spell so they won't worry about me? Then I will do anything you ask. — Very well. I will cast a spell on your village, so that everything stops until you fulfill my request. — Thank you!
Dave's Fast
— You must be hungry, boy! Here, eat! — Mmm! It's delicious! What is this? — Special witch's food. I'll bring you more. You can eat as much as you want.
Dave ate to his heart's content, and then the witch told him what task he had to accomplish.
— The wicked one, who lives beyond the great river, has stolen my precious treasures. I am too old to face him. I want you to bring them back to me. — But I have neither magic nor strength. I am just a boy. — I will ask the good spirits to give you power and wisdom. But for that, you will have to please them. — How do I please them, Auntie Witch? — You must fast until all the good spirits come and give you their blessing. Lie down there by the fire, so you don't get cold. I will ask all the creatures of the forest to come and keep you company while you fast. — As you say, Auntie! I will help you.
So Dave sat by the fire, and all the creatures of the forest kept him company, one by one. In this way, 20 days passed. One night, as Dave slept, he heard a faint murmur, for the spirits were heard around him.
The next morning, the witch came to him with a bowl of food.
— You have fasted for 20 days! You are a strong boy. You must be very hungry. Here, take this! — Thank you! — Have the good spirits come to you and blessed you with gifts? — Oh, no! Some spirits came, but others stayed away. They told me I hadn't fasted enough. — In that case, you must fast more. Do you want to do that, boy? — I promised I would help you, so, so of course I do.
And the young man sat by the fire once again, and all the creatures of the forest came to keep him company. Thus, another 10 days passed. And one evening, the good spirits returned.
The next morning, the witch brought Dave food and asked him again.
— Have the good spirits come and blessed you with gifts? — Oh, no! Some spirits came, but others stayed away. They told me I hadn't fasted enough. — Hmm. In that case, you must fast more. Do you want to do that, boy? — I promised I would help you, so of course I do.
But this time, as Dave lay in bed, the spirits returned.
— We are pleased with your sense of duty. We will give you our gifts. Now you are strong, wise, and you will be able to make yourself bigger or smaller, as you wish.
Dave's Mission
Dave and the witch were happy. They thanked the spirits, and now it was time for Dave to bring back the witch's treasures from the wicked one.
— The wicked one took all my gold and took my magic bridge. A bridge that I designed using all my magical powers. A bridge that can open to let you cross a river or can become so big that you can cross an ocean. A bridge that can reach the sky or take you underground. You must bring it back to me. — The spirits have given me strength and intelligence. I am sure I will be able to bring it back to you. — Put these on and don't be afraid. If you trust them, they will make you walk on the great river and you will be able to cross it. — I will do as you told me.
So Dave left the witch's house and went towards the great river. The river's current was swift, powerful, and frightening. Dave was afraid to step into it. But he had made a promise to the witch. He couldn't turn back. So, gathering his courage, he tried to step into the water once more.
Dave crossed the river and arrived at the wicked one's house. He peeked through the window. He saw that inside it was full of sacks of gold, and the bridge stood in a corner. Through the kitchen window, he saw a cook preparing an enormous meal for the wicked one. Dave thought of a plan.
He made himself small and climbed through the window into the kitchen, hiding behind a jar of red pepper.
— Mmm, it's delicious! The master has arrived!
The wicked one entered and began to eat.
— Brrr!
The wicked one fell asleep and began to snore.
Dave's Victory
Brave Dave carried the wicked one and his entire house, with the witch's gold and the magic bridge, and returned to the witch's house.
— I've brought back not only your treasures, but also the wicked one, so you can punish him in such a way that he will never think of stealing from anyone ever again. — There's only one more thing to do. So. Here he will remain forever, so he will never harm anyone old or weak again.
This was the end of the wicked one. And the witch was very grateful to Dave.
— Thanks to you, I can now return to my world. Brave Dave, you have helped me so much! Tell me, what can I do for you? You can ask me for anything! — Auntie, let me return to my home, just as I was before. I don't want any special powers or magic, for we humans don't know when we might start harming others with them. — The spirits have blessed you with true wisdom. Very well. I will send you back exactly as you were. But because you earned your powers, they will return to you one day when you truly need to help someone. — We are proud of you, Brave Dave!
And so, Dave returned to his home and the witch to hers, beyond the stars, with her treasures and her precious bridge.
The End.
