Melidora
Romanian Fairy Tales. Melidora.
A Different Story
Once upon a time when... I need something different here. When the apple was just a fruit? Nah! When war was everywhere? Boring! When the moon didn't shine and... false!
Oh, I found it! How about: once upon a time when portable showers hadn't been invented yet? Wonderful!
Once upon a time when portable showers hadn't been invented yet. Oh, and it had no significance to this story whatsoever. There existed a kingdom called the Kingdom of Happiness, and its people were exactly like its name.
Prince Tyler
Its king, and the heir to the throne, Prince Tyler. Tyler was a happy fine fellow. Wait, that's not Tyler. Oops, sorry. Tyler was a happy fine fellow.
A very well-trained warrior. He could play all musical instruments. Actually, he can't play the guitar. Hmm, he could play almost all instruments, and he was loved by the people of his kingdom for his kindness and charm.
That's better. There you go, talent and a big heart. Tyler had everything, except...
The King and His Expectations
— Tyler, my son, I am so worried about you. — Why are you worried, Father? — You will soon become the King of the Kingdom of Happiness. And the people expect the king to have a queen. Sorry, son, you must find love. Enough is enough.
I have decided to organize a grand party in our kingdom. Princesses from our neighboring kingdoms will come, and this would be a good opportunity for you to find someone suitable.
— But Father, you don't have to do this. I will find the right person when the right time comes. — The right time comes for people who stop waiting and take action. I have already sent the invitation. I want you to go meet your Aunt Alexis.
Aunt Alexis's Advice
— Aunt Alexis? Why? — Why? Because she helped your mother find the best person in the entire world. Me! — Pfft, fine.
And so Prince Tyler went to meet his Aunt Alexis.
— Tyler, what a pleasant surprise! What brings you here, my prince? — Aunt Alexis, Father is throwing a party where he's invited princesses from around the world to stay at our palace. You know, he hopes I might find the right wife. He sent me to you for your advice.
— Ah, is that all? It's quite simple. Give your heart to someone who laughs at her own troubles and cries for the suffering of others.
The Royal Party
Prince Tyler thanked his aunt for the advice and returned home. He thought the advice she'd given him was rather strange, but he decided to see what would happen.
The day of the party's opening arrived and the kingdom was adorned with rare flowers and refined decorations. King Arthur himself welcomed everyone.
— Princesses of our neighboring kingdoms! Thank you so much for accepting my invitation. You must be tired after your journey. So relax. Have dinner, walk around our kingdom, and tomorrow morning a picnic will be prepared for you. — Why are you laughing? — Because I can't help it.
Tyler watched from his balcony as guests continued arriving all evening. Finally, when the quiet of the night settled, he raised his gaze to the starry sky.
— I wonder if tomorrow will bring someone special or just a simple nothing. One can only wait on the ship of time, helpless and yet impatient. Oh, morning, please come sooner.
The Picnic and Meeting Melidora
Morning came at the right time and Prince Tyler was up and ready. To rock and roll! To rock and roll! Wait. No, he wasn't ready for rock and roll. Then, for the picnic! Remember? Ah!
Prince Tyler, together with his friends, set off on their horses toward Happy Lake. The princesses, on the other hand, were led in carriages adorned with flowers and pulled by beautiful parade horses.
Suddenly! Fortunately, no one was hurt. Prince Tyler moved the horse away amid the princesses' crying and screaming.
But among them was someone who was laughing.
— Oh, dears, we must have looked so funny all piled up in the ditch. I wish I could have seen it. We're still quite an amusing sight, aren't we? How funny!
The Royal Ball
— Give your heart to someone who laughs at her own misfortunes and cries for the suffering of others.
Prince Tyler helped them up one by one, but his eyes remained fixed on the princess who was laughing at her own misfortune. He helped her up too, but there was so much mud on her face that he couldn't see what she truly looked like. But it was more than enough for bells to start ringing in his heart.
— Ah! Hey, Jacob, who was the one laughing? — Why? That is Princess Melidora of the Kingdom of Joy, my prince. — Princess Melidora?
That evening, a royal ball was held by King Arthur, attended by the princesses. But amid everyone, all Prince Tyler tried to do was find out where Melidora was. Suddenly!
— A thousand apologies! I didn't... — It's not your fault, Prince Tyler.
And that was it. Prince Tyler had recognized the voice. His eyes sparkled and his heart leaped.
A Mysterious Promise
— Princess Melidora? — Thank you for helping us out of the ditch. It was funny, wasn't it? — I'm glad you're unharmed. I mean, all of you. — May I have the honor? — You may!
Goodness, look at them! They look so good together.
— You dance well. — You're not bad yourself. — I like the way you laugh. — Easy, prince, don't fall in love with me. I can't marry you. — Why? — Good night!
Confusion and Understanding
Prince Tyler couldn't sleep that night.
— Don't fall in love with me, because I can't marry you. — Why can't she marry me? And why did she come here in the first place if she doesn't want to marry me? Anyway, I wouldn't propose marriage. After all, there's still the other half of Auntie's advice to be considered. Oh, but then why do I feel so restless? Is this love?
The next morning early, all the royal guests were to go riding through the forest.
— Ah! I'm late! — Excuse me! Excuse me! Please, step aside! Excuse me! Oh dear! Goodness! Oh dear! Oh! What do I do now? I spent all my money to bring them to the king. What do I do now?
But no one listened to her cries. They all laughed and rode through the courtyard gates — all except one. Melidora.
— Oh, I'm so sorry, Grandmother! I should have been more careful. Please, don't cry anymore. I will make up for your losses. — Thank you, dear.
Prince Tyler watched all of this from a short distance and his heart melted at what he saw. And as Melidora helped the woman get to her feet and turn around, he saw in the bright sunlight that her eyes were full of tears.
— Give your heart to someone who laughs at her own misfortunes and cries for another's pain. — She, she is the one!
Prince Tyler helped Melidora take the old woman to the castle, where she was cared for.
Later that day, he went to her.
— I don't know why you said you can't marry me and why you asked me not to fall in love with you. But, you see, falling in love isn't a choice. It just happens. And I've fallen in love with you. Oh! And I respect your decision. But I just want to know why you don't want to marry me. That's all.
— Tyler, I like you. I really do, but I don't know you well and you don't know me either. That's why I can't marry you. You see, unlike the other princesses, I can't just take your hand and walk into your life. We both need to enter each other's lives first, get to know each other, and only then can we truly fall in love. But I think that being a prince, you wouldn't want that. That's why I said I can't.
— Ridiculous! Let's get to know each other!
Happy Ending
And that's what they did. Prince Tyler and Princess Melidora grew closer and closer over time, until they became inseparable and ready to marry.
What's next? A big wedding, of course! How exciting! I'm so happy! I want to cry!
And so, the story of Prince Tyler and Princess Melidora ends on a happy note, teaching us a very important lesson: that in life, always surround yourself with people who laugh at their own troubles and cry for the pain of others.
