The Flowers of Ida
Fairy tales in Romanian. The Flowers of Ida.
The Magical World of Quicksville
Do you believe in magic? In fantasies, flying fish, and dancing flowers? Oh, but you must! Because only when you believe will you see it. Are you ready, then? Let's begin with the story of Ida and her dancing flowers.
It all starts in the town of Quicksville, a place where magic lives. Toys, trees, houses, even the furniture, all come to life here. But here's a trick. Because only those who believe in magic are the ones who can see it.
Right in the center of Quicksville, in a big house, lived Ida. Ida was a sweet little girl who loved her flowers. Roses, carnations, daffodils, tulips – these were her true friends. But Ida never smiled.
The fresh scent of the flowers, the sun's rays, the morning dew, all tried hard, but all failed. She talked to her flowers, gave them all her attention and care. She watered them every day, and yet, she never smiled.
Ida's Sadness and Art Lessons
Ida loved to draw. Her father loved Ida. He wanted his beautiful daughter to smile. He arranged art lessons in their own home. All the bright young minds from Quicksville went there to learn art. Among them was Henry. Henry was a little boy who believed in magic.
He talked to trees and bushes. The clouds used to come down to earth just to sprinkle him with rainwater. Nobody believed his stories, but that never stopped Henry.
One fine day...
— What are you doing there, Henry? — Oh, I'm glad you asked. Look at this! — What's wrong with you? This is horrible! Do you even have any idea what you've drawn? — Yes, here's a man hanging from the gallows. He's holding a heart in his hand to show that he stole people's hearts. — I think that's quite interesting. — Interesting? This boy is crazy! The other day, he was saying that a shooting star is when a star leaves the sky and goes in search of love. — Is it true what you said about stars? — Of course not! Enough with this nonsense! How many times have I asked you to stop spreading lies, Henry? — With all due respect, sir, isn't imagination how a child learns things? Great lessons can be learned by cultivating their fantasy. — Are you teaching me how to teach, madam? — Uh, no, I just... — That's enough now! — I'm not lying, you see? A beautiful star itself told me that.
The pen in Henry's hand nodded enthusiastically. But, unfortunately, Sherry didn't believe in magic, so she didn't see.
— We're late to start our art lessons here. Now, where's that girl who never smiles? Ida? — Oh no! My flowers! I don't know what happened to them. Look! — Why are you always worrying? Haven't you learned to smile? — But I have no reason to smile. Look at my flowers. — Ah, how silly! They are, of course, wilting. — Wilt what? — Wilting! That means they're dying. Oh, dear God, I should have been a pianist. There, there, that's nature. Everything must die. Now, put them aside and let's begin with our lesson for today.
But Ida wasn't in the mood to draw. She looked at her flowers with sadness.
— What did I do for you to die? Why can't there be a reason to be happy? What should I have done to save you?
The Secret Dance of the Flowers
— Don't listen to him, Ida! They're not dead. They're just tired from all the dancing. — Dancing? — Well, yes! Don't you know the castle in front of the town gates? Our king's summer house? They all go there at night to dance. — I was at the castle yesterday. There wasn't a single flower, not a leaf on a tree. — They don't stay there during the day, because the castle guard isn't good to them. He doesn't talk to them or take care of them. They go there to dance because they have a big space there to glide around. But they have to be careful of the castle guard, who goes around the palace all night. A flower always guards the door. As soon as it hears his footsteps, it tells the dancers. They all hide wherever they can. When the castle guard enters, he just smells a bunch of flowers and sees nothing. — Seriously? — Yes! Yes! Then, after the ball, they all return to where they came from. And then, they wait for the night again.
Henry's Plan
— Wait! Are you telling the truth? I want to see! But I can't go to the castle at night. What should I do? — Hmm, let me think. I have a plan! Do you promise to believe me, Ida? Because my plan will only let you see the dancing flowers if you promise to believe. — Um, okay. — Great! When you go to bed tonight, close the door to your toy room. That way, they can't leave. Then they'll dance in your toy room. But don't forget to make enough space for them, to allow them to twirl without bumping into the furniture. You know how they dance at a ball, right? — Henry! What on earth are you doing? — He showed me how the flowers dance! — Dancing flowers? Have mercy! How can anyone fill a child's head with such silly fantasy? I don't want to hear another word about dancing flowers!
Ida's Magical Night
After class, Ida quickly went back to her room.
— Ah, hello, Sophie! I hope you slept well. Um, I'm sorry, Sophie, but you'll have to sleep somewhere else tonight. These flowers need more care. They're tired.
Ida could have sworn she saw Sophie's face turn blue. But who would believe a doll has feelings? After all, shouldn't what everyone believes be true?
— Sleep well, okay? And if you go dancing, don't get too tired.
The flowers didn't answer Ida. But she knew well that they were listening to her. That night, Ida couldn't sleep for a long time. She remembered everything Henry had told her. She closed the door to the toy room. She didn't want her flowers to escape. She didn't want them to get into trouble. But more than that, she wanted to see them dancing, and she believed they would.
— Oh, please, let me see the flowers dance! Please!
Finally, sleep came.
— Mmm, what? What's that noise? Ah! It must be the flowers! They're dancing! I have to go see!
And there they all were. Roses, daffodils, carnations, everyone. Oh, what a splendid sight it was! The flowers from all the vases in her room swayed and moved across the floor. Lily played the piano. After seeing the flowers, Ida's toys couldn't help themselves.
— Ooh, this is the best night of my life!
An Unexpected Party
Everything was going well when suddenly, the long broom handle shrieked.
— How can anyone fill a child's head with such silly fantasy? — Why? Did you see their moves? I didn't even know I could move like that! Ooh!
Ida couldn't move a limb. She was surprised beyond measure. She looked for her sick flowers. She wished they would start dancing too. But then, she wasn't the only one who wished for that.
— Hey, you! Don't you want to dance? — I don't feel very well. — Come on, now! Dancing will make you feel better! — Oh, yes. Let's go dance, Brenda. — Yes, let's enjoy ourselves while we can.
The Wisdom of the Sick Flowers
— Oh! Their color has almost disappeared! And yet, look how happy they are! We have so much to learn from these flowers!
Just then, there was a knocking from inside Ida's drawer. Dornarul opened the drawer to find Sophie inside.
— Yes! I thought I'd never get out of there. It's so dark inside. What's happening here? — We're having a wonderful time! It's a party! — A party? Why wasn't I invited? — Oh, I invite you now! Do you want to dance with me? — Oh, boy! You aim so high! Ha!
Sophie
