The Little Piper
A Restless King
Fairy tales in Romanian. The Little Piper.
Once upon a time, in a vast kingdom, lived a king and queen who were deeply in love. They led a happy and peaceful life in their castle.
But one day, the king grew tired and began to feel restless. He wanted to go to battle to show his power.
— Alena, my dear, do you remember the glorious days when I used to fight? — Of course! You were very brave! — I was! So, you mean you don't consider me brave anymore? — I didn't say that, my love. I think you are the bravest of all warriors in the world. — Haha! I think so too! But I miss the glorious days when I conquered kingdoms and all the mighty warriors bowed before me. — Hmm, well, you never actually conquered a kingdom, did you? Warriors bowing before you? I don't recall hearing about that. — Oh, never mind! I'm just saying I'd love to go to battle again and relive those days. — Hmm, well, if you want to, I won't stop you. Do as you please. But return to me safe and sound, for I will miss you terribly. — Oh, I'll be back soon, my love!
The King's Defeat and Captivity
The king soon gathered his soldiers and ordered them to go to war against the neighboring kingdom.
— I've heard that land is ruled by a cruel king. We will avenge the people of that kingdom and set them free!
King Brian and his army fought against the evil king with great courage, but in the end, King Brian lost, and he and his soldiers were imprisoned in the cruel king's dungeons.
There, poor King Brian was kept hungry and treated with great cruelty. He was held in the dungeon for many days, and soon became very weak.
The Secret Letter
One day, he stole a piece of paper and a quill from a sleeping guard and wrote to his queen, Alina.
— My Queen, I am held prisoner in the evil king's dungeon. Please, bring all the gold, all the jewels, and all the riches we possess and rescue me from this misery. Please hurry, my love!
The king took out a bracelet he had kept hidden in his clothes. It had the royal emblem on it, and anyone would recognize it. He fastened the bracelet around the letter and threw it through a crack in the wall.
— I hope someone finds it. I just hope an enemy doesn't find it.
The bracelet was very shiny, so it caught the attention of a bird. The little bird landed next to the parchment and grabbed it by the bracelet.
The Unexpected Messenger
It flew over seas and lands and landed next to a man resting under a tree.
— Hello there! But what have you brought there? Hmm? A bracelet? Huh? It has our king's emblem! How did it get here?
He was a simple and honest man, so he decided to go straight to the palace with the parchment. When he arrived there, he went directly to the queen.
— My Queen, I found this when I was in the countryside. It might be important, so I brought it to you. — Thank you, sir!
The man left, and Queen Alina began to read the letter.
The Queen's Plan
— He lost the war! He's a prisoner! Oh no! My beloved is imprisoned in another kingdom! What shall I do? If I go to the evil king's palace myself, he might imprison me too. And I can't trust anyone else with such a great treasure.
So the queen found a way to rescue her husband from the clutches of the evil king. At night, she cut her beautiful hair and dressed in a dark cloak.
— I really look like a boy! I hope the evil king falls into my trap!
She took a flute with her and sneaked out of the palace. Queen Alina walked all night, hoping that everything would be well the next day. When the sun rose, she arrived in the evil king's kingdom. Excited, she went to the palace to meet the king.
The Mysterious Piper
— Who are you and why have you come to my kingdom? — Uh, greetings, Your Highness! I... I am a traveling piper from a distant land. I heard of your beautiful empire and decided to play a tune for you on my flute. — Oh! And you think you'll play so well that I'll like it? What an idea! — Please, allow me to play just one song. I promise you've never heard anything so beautiful in your life. — Very well! Do as you wish! But be careful, boy, for if I don't like your playing, I will throw you into the dungeon with my other prisoners! Ha-ha-ha!
Queen Alina was happy that she had tricked the king and accepted his condition. She took out her flute and began to play a beautiful melody. The king began to marvel at the beauty of the song. Soon, he was enchanted by the notes Queen Alina produced from the flute with her fingertips. She played for a while, then finished her tune.
The Unexpected Reward
— Wow! That was truly wonderful! You were right! I've never heard such beautiful music! How about you stay at the palace and play for me? — Uh, I'm sorry, Your Highness, but my melodies are beautiful because I travel a lot. The beautiful sights make my songs so charming. — Ha-ha! I understand what you mean. Very well. What else could I offer you as a reward?
Queen Alina smiled. She had finally gotten her chance.
— Your Highness, you said you have many prisoners. How about you offer me one of them to be my companion on my travels? I would very much like a companion. — Is that all? I could offer you something better, gold or jewels. — Oh no, my king! I assure you that what I have asked for is worth far more than any jewel in the world.
The king ordered the prisoners to be brought. Soon, they were all lined up before her. When she saw her beloved husband, she almost cried out.
— My King! — What? Uh, I said: he's the one! I choose this man to be my companion. — Very well! You may take him with you.
The Road Home and a New Test
Queen Alina and King Brian said goodbye and left the kingdom. They walked together for many days and many nights, but the queen did not reveal her identity. She always spoke in a deep voice, and the king never suspected it was her.
On their way back to their kingdom, she played her flute for him. The king adored her melodies and couldn't get enough of them.
— You play very well! Do you know that the kingdom we're heading towards is actually mine? Allow me to reward you!
The queen wanted to tease her husband a little.
— King, I doubt it. You're not as handsome as a king. And your clothes look like they've been picked out of a trash can. — How dare you? I am the king! Come with me to the palace and you'll see! — Ha-ha-ha! I'm joking! If you are king, then go on your way. I will continue to travel and perhaps visit you another time. — Alright, yes. But know that I am very grateful to you.
The two said goodbye and the king headed towards his kingdom. The queen found a shortcut and arrived at the palace before the king. She dressed in her royal attire and went to meet her beloved.
Recognition and Forgiveness
When the king entered the palace, everyone at court was very worried. They all ran to him and surrounded him.
— My King, where have you been? We were so worried! — Your Highness, you look so weak and tired. — Come, Your Highness, change into some clean clothes.
The king smiled and spoke to everyone, but he didn't even look at his queen. He thought she had betrayed him. He didn't even notice her short hair.
— How could she do this to me? She's the only woman I've ever loved, and she couldn't even save me!
The queen tried to speak to her king, but he avoided her. The queen grew sad, but then she devised a plan.
The next day, as he sat sulking in the drawing-room, the king heard a familiar melody.
— What is that tune? I'm sure I've heard it somewhere. — It's me, great king! I've come to visit you. — I'm so glad to see you! But didn't you say yesterday that you would travel the world? How did you manage to return so quickly? — And are you really a king? Your clothes look less dusty than last time. — Ha-ha-ha! Well, why have you come here? — Well, you said you would reward me. I've come to claim my reward. — Of course, boy! What do you wish for? Gold? Riches? A crystal flute? Speak, and your wish shall be granted. — Nothing! These things don't matter in my eyes. I wish for only one thing. And that is... You! — That voice? That one?
Alina took off her cloak in front of Brian. He was astonished and deeply ashamed.
— Why? Why didn't you tell me it was you? — Oh, it doesn't matter! I only did it for fun. — I'm sorry for how I behaved towards you. I'm glad you saved me. I love you very much. — And I love you too, my dear!
Know that whenever you have problems, I will always come to your aid.
