The Magic Swan
Romanian Fairy Tales
Once upon a time, in a faraway town, there lived a family with three brothers. Their names were Jack, Leo, and Peter. The eldest, Jack, was a baker. He made the tastiest bread and cakes in all the land. People came from everywhere to buy them.
Leo was the second brother and was a teacher. He was very intelligent, and the children he taught loved him dearly. Peter was the youngest but had no talent that made him stand out. He was a kind and pleasant young man, but he was often very sad when he watched his brothers working.
His brothers were mean to him. They always teased him mercilessly because they thought they were more important than him. They weren't kind to him even once.
— Oh, what's this? — It's soup, brother! I made it just the way you like. — Soup? How do you call this broth soup? And I don't like this at all. My good bread wasted on this salty onion water. Take it away, seriously! — Jack is the best baker in town, and I'm an extraordinary teacher. So what can you actually do? — I can... Well... — You can't even make a soup! Ha ha! Are you really our brother? — I'm leaving, Peter. Clean up this mess you've made. — What? Wait! What about...? — Oh, you can keep the whole pot for yourself. You're good for nothing, brother!
Meeting the Fairy
Poor Peter was very hurt, but he sat down and said nothing. The next day, Peter went into the forest and sat quietly. He was thinking about his life and how rude his brothers were.
— What do I do? My brothers are very good at what they do. Am I really no use to anyone? — Ah! What are you grumbling about there, young man? — Oh!
The old man went over to Peter and groaned as he slowly sat down beside him.
— What were you grumbling about at such a young age? — It's... nothing important. I was just thinking out loud. — Well, if it wasn't important, then listen to what I have to say. I have many things to grumble about. — Oh? Such as? — Such as Jack the baker. What a terrible baker! His bread is so hard and smells so bad, you'd think it was feet. — That can't be his bread! I've tasted the bread he makes and it's almost as delicious as a sweet cake. — Oho! Well then, let me tell you something else. There's a teacher I spoke with yesterday. I thought he was smart, but he was extremely boring. I feel sorry for the children he teaches. What was his name? Ah, yes! Leo! — Leo? I've heard he's the best teacher around here. His students love him very much. I think you're very mistaken. — Mmm! How curious! Your brothers treat you so badly and yet you say nothing bad about them. — Well, they're... Wait! How do you know they're my brothers? — Ha ha ha!
At that moment, the old man transformed into a beautiful fairy, with a voice as clear as crystal.
— Oh, who... who are you? — I am the fairy of kind hearts. I've watched you many times and noticed how good you are even to those who mock you. — Oh, so you knew everything? — Well yes, I did! Peter, let me help you. The world is big, and if you're not happy here, why not leave home and try to find something for yourself? — But where should I go and what should I do? — That's what I'll tell you. When you begin your journey, you'll see a man sleeping soundly under a tree. He'll have a wonderful swan tied to him, which you must untie and take with you. — A pleasant companion for my travels? — Not just pleasant, but a magical one. When people see it, they'll want to touch its beautiful, fine feathers. And when they do, you must shout: "Hold on, little swan!" and they'll stick to it. This way, many people will get stuck, and with them all you must go to the palace. There you'll meet your destiny. — Um, why are you asking me to do something so strange? — You'll know when the time comes! Don't forget to do as I told you. Oh, and when you're done, tell the swan: "Let them go, beautiful swan!" and they'll all be free. Well, goodbye, Peter!
Peter's Journey and the Magic Swan
The fairy waved her wand and vanished into thin air. It was late and Peter hurried home to cook for his brothers before they returned. The next day, at the crack of dawn, Peter left home, being careful not to wake his brothers.
He walked for a long time, and the sun was beginning to rise. On the way, just as the fairy had said, he came across a strong man sleeping soundly under a tree. And there, tied to him, stood the most beautiful swan Peter had ever seen.
— Ha! This man is fast asleep. It'll be easy to take the swan.
And so he untied the rope and quickly and quietly took the swan from beside him.
Soon he arrived at the kingdom. There he carried the swan with him, looking at all the wonders around him. As he walked, he saw a man staring at the swan.
— Here, boy! This swan is splendid! May I pet it? — Oh, of course. Go ahead!
The man delightedly touched the swan and began to pet it.
— Hold on, little swan!
And almost instantly, the man stuck to the swan. He couldn't take his hand off it, no matter how hard he tried.
— What? What? Why am I stuck to the swan? Why can't I take my hand off? Is it magic? Help!
Peter smiled at the man and walked on. The man kept shouting and people stared at them. Among them was a chimney sweep woman. She saw the man stuck to the swan and came to help.
— Help! Someone free me! — Here, hold on to me! I'll pull you!
The moment Peter saw this, he shouted:
— Hold on, little swan!
Now the chimney sweep woman was also stuck to the furious man.
— What's this? Let me go! Let me go right now! — Ouch! Don't hit me with that dirty brush!
Together they walked down the street, stuck to one another. People saw them and began laughing. On the way, they met a clown on a unicycle.
— Ha ha ha! I've seen baby elephants holding onto their mother's tail. Why are you imitating them? — Stop laughing and help us get free!
As soon as he reached out his hand, Peter shouted:
— Hold on, little swan! — Ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch! Let me go! I'm going to fall! — I'm not holding onto you! — Liar! You tricked me! Let me go right now! No! Ha ha ha!
People laughed at them as they were lined up at the end of a swan's tail. Together they arrived at the palace.
At the Palace and the Great Reward
— We've almost reached the palace. But I have no idea what to do here.
Just then, a magnificent golden carriage approached them. In it sat the king's beloved princess. Lia was a very beautiful young woman, but she had stopped laughing or smiling since her mother's death. But when she saw the line of people stuck to one another so comically, tied to the tail and feathers of a little swan, she burst out laughing.
— Ha ha ha ha ha! Oh my! What a strange sight before me!
The king learned that his princess had laughed and summoned those who had made her laugh. And when they entered and he saw them, the king burst into laughter as well.
— Ho ho ho ho ho! It's the most comical thing I've ever seen!
Peter was quite amused by this story. He looked at the angry and bewildered people who had ended up in this situation and felt sorry for them.
— I think I should free them now. Let them go, beautiful swan!
And suddenly, all those people were finally free.
— Huh? Oh! Wow!
They were so relieved but so overwhelmed with fright that they ran out of the palace, screaming all the way.
— So you are the man who made my daughter laugh. I am so glad to hear her voice after so many years. I can't thank you enough. — It's my pleasure, Your Majesty! — Oh my! What a beautiful swan! It looks as if it's made of snow. May I touch it? — Of course.
And when she petted it, she looked at Peter and suddenly realized how handsome he was.
— Young man, what would you like as a reward for making my daughter laugh? — Well, Your Majesty, I would want nothing more than to marry your beautiful daughter. Her voice when she laughs is as if bells are ringing. — Oh! Well, I'm not very sure about... — Father, I want to marry him too, for he is the only man who has made me laugh!
And so, the next day, Princess Lia and Peter were married and had a grand ceremony.
— Lia, you are the most beautiful girl I have ever seen. Your smile lights up my world. I promise to always make you laugh and smile. — Oh, I love you, Peter!
And so they lived happily ever after.
And Peter realized that he didn't need to be someone important to do something great. He realized that by being himself, he not only made himself happy but also made those around him content.
