The Lucky Galoshes
Fairy tales in Romanian. The Lucky Galoshes.
A Party at the General's
The General had the biggest and most beautiful house in the entire town. So, when he threw a party, everyone came.
— Oh, of course not. King Hans was the most important in history. Everyone lived a peaceful and simple life back then. People today don't even care about each other anymore.
— Ah, I disagree. The environment must continue to improve and grow. And people really do care these days. Look, so many guests came to the party. They care about me.
The Advisor knew that nobody cared about the host. But he didn't know that once everyone left, the General would be alone again in his big house.
— Ha! Well, they're busy now, but I'm sure they came here for me. And not for the food. — Yes, of course.
— Sir, I'm afraid we're out of glasses. — Out of glasses? What do you mean? — I mean, I mean there are no more glasses for the guests. — Ah! I know what that means. — Eh, but you just said... — Quiet now! Go and get those new stacks of glasses from the storeroom. — Yes, sir, absolutely.
The Lucky Galoshes Appear
The storeroom is the darkest room in the house. Unwanted things are kept here. But the General's storeroom had something more that night.
— Ah! I'm dizzy! — Yes. Who would have known that flying in circles would do that. — Ah! What happened, Care? Does your head hurt somehow? Did you spin around like me too?
— Ah! Why do I have to take care of you? You're Luck's assistant, not mine. It's not fair.
— Oh! I'm so sorry. But you know, Luck is on vacation. I'm just filling in for him until he gets back. He said something about... about luck needing to be taken care of.
— Oh, luck needs a lot of care. — Yes, yes. — Ah! — Ah! Also, if you want to know, it's my birthday today.
— Alright, fine. Then we'll do something interesting today. — Oh, I'm glad you brought it up! I've already thought of something.
The Advisor's Wish
— Wait a minute. What were those? I've never seen them in the storeroom before. — This is my gift to humanity. You see, those aren't ordinary galoshes. Those are the lucky galoshes! Anyone who wears those shoes is granted everything they wish for.
— What exactly? — What? What happened? No, isn't it a good thing?
— No! It's a bad idea, a very bad idea! This will only bring problems, big problems! People don't know what they want. They are never careful with their wishes. — Oh, you're overthinking it. This will be a good thing, you'll see. — Oh, I will. And so will you.
A Journey Through Time
Up in the hall, the guests began to leave.
— Oh, no, no, no! Those are not your shoes. Look at them. Yours are right there.
But the galoshes had chosen their owner.
— Ah, great! This is what I was talking about. Nobody cares about this town or each other. The General was wrong. I wish, I wish I could go back to the time when King Hans was ruler.
— Ah! I really shouldn't have said that.
I should have told the General that all the guests were there only for the party and not for him.
— Ah! It's not fair. How can they leave such a puddle right next to the street? I'll have to clean my shoes now.
— Ah! Where did the sidewalk go? Did I take a wrong turn? Wait! When did it stop raining? — Watch where you're going, lad! — You! You watch out, lad! You shouldn't ride a horse in the middle of a street. — Lad, lad! How old was that man? And what was he wearing? He must be going to a masquerade ball, where everyone dresses up as someone from old times.
The Battle and the Prison
— Where is this masquerade ball to which I am not invited? — What are you doing here without armor? — Ah, that's very generous of you, but I don't think I should go uninvited to the masquerade ball. — A masquerade ball, what? And who needs an invitation to fight in war? Our kingdom is in danger! It's our duty to protect it with our lives!
— Victory will be ours! Victory will be ours! Victory will be ours! — Oh! You've taken your roles very seriously, I must say! — Don't make us waste our time! Let's give him armor! — We don't have that much time! Let's give him a sword and a shield! — Yes. — Yeah! — Listen, this is a mistake. I am not a soldier. I think... — Attack!
— Oh, he lives! Let's put him in the dungeon! He's our enemy! — Not the dungeon! No, no!
Awakening and Gratitude
— Ah! Did I fall asleep? What a shameful thing! What did they put in the food there? Ah! I was wrong. These times are better than those of King Hans's time. Nobody likes war. At least now I can go and sleep in my comfortable bed.
— Oh! Who left this trash bag here? I should throw it in the bin. Now who kept this here? It's strange. I remember keeping them inside. Hmm, now that I'm here, maybe I can wear them. My feet are cold.
— Oh! — Ah! Oh! — A little more. — Please, don't say that! Please, don't say that! — Oh, I wish my body would fit enough to reach the bag! — No! But it was too late.
The Guard and His Wish
— Oh! How did this happen? It's so difficult! How do I get out of this? I'm stuck! Oh! What do I do now? I wish the trash bag wasn't here at all! — What? Where did the bag go? — Wish for what you need, you fool! — Is there a ghost around? Why is this happening to me? Please, spare me! I wish I had never picked up that bad trash bag! — Finally!
— Oh! Stay away from me! Ghost in the bag! Ghost in the bag!
While the fairies thought the worst was over now, the guard came running.
— What? What happened? Who screamed? There's no one here. Oh! What a life! It's a 10-minute break and then someone screams. Oh, whose shoes are those?
— Oh, wow! These are very comfortable. They must be the General's shoes. Oh! I shouldn't disturb him now. It's late. I can come back tomorrow.
The Lonely General
— How lucky and honorable it is to be a general! A big house, servants at his disposal. What a life! I wish I could switch places with him. He's luckier than me. — Ah! What a wonderful life! I have a big house now. People respect me. I can do whatever I want, whenever I want. I love my life!
The guard was now the happiest man. But for how long would riches bring him joy?
— Oh, I'm so bored! And so lonely! What's the point of this big house if I'm going to live alone for the rest of my life? Ah, I wish I had company.
— This guard is much happier than me. He has a family to go back to. I wish I could switch places with him. He is much luckier than me.
The Wish to Be Home
— Oh! What a strange dream! I'm grateful for the life I have. In an hour I'll be back with my wife and children. I truly am luckier than the General. Oh, a shooting star! It would be very nice to see it up close. I wish I could fly out of my body to the moon. How would that feel? — No! — Oh, oh, oh! What happened? Did I die? No! How did this happen? Help!
On the Moon
But who would help him? The poor guard flew up and up. He wished for something he never wanted. But the lucky galoshes didn't care about that. Finally, his wish came true, because now he was on the moon. He never understood what happened. He slapped himself to wake up from the dream.
The Earth hung above his head like a huge ball. The guard was scared and worried. He would never be able to return to his family. He stood there on the moon and cried. But what happened to the guard back on Earth?
The Guard's Return
— Hello! Can you tell me what time it is? Oh! What happened to you?
The stranger immediately called the General and they took the guard to the nearby hospital. There on the bed, the doctors were all confused.
— How can such a healthy man suddenly become unresponsive? Hmm! We'll have to run some more tests on him. Why is he wearing those shoes on the hospital bed? Nurse, please take them off! — Oh, oh! — Here! Let me help you. — And the guard's spirit returned.
— Oh! Earth, Earth! My wife! My children! I can go back to them! Earth, sweet, sweet Earth!
A New Chance for the Galoshes
— At least he's awake. — Thank you, doctor! I'll leave now. — Sir, I think these belong to the guard. — Oh, yes. I'll return them.
— Oh! I'm tired of these galoshes now! We have to take them back before someone else's wishes come true! — Well, the General must be keeping them somewhere. We can take them when everyone is looking away.
True Happiness
— Hello! You look lonely and sad. — And? What business is it of yours? — Oh, it's cold. You don't have shoes. Would you like to wear these comfortable and soft shoes to cover your feet? — Well, if my wishes were granted, you know what I'd wish for? I'd wish for a house to live in and someone to take care of me. You don't know what it's like to live alone on the street. By the way you're dressed, you probably live in a big house with a loving family.
— I live in a big house, but alone. I understand your problems, boy. Do you want to come and live with me? I have no son, and my house would need a strong little boy who speaks his mind. — What? Seriously? — Yes, of course! Come with me! — Can I, can I wear those shoes? — They're too big for you. I'll buy you new ones. Oh, also, I'll buy new clothes for you and toys and candy. Do you like candy? — Wow! I love candy!
— Oh! See? My galoshes really did bring luck! — Indeed they did. The only time nobody wore them. Don't be too proud of yourself. You sent a man to the moon. — People don't need these lucky galoshes. They only need each other.
