The Stones of Plouhinec
Once upon a time, in great France, there was a little town called Plouhinec. In the farthest corner of the town of Plouhinec, there were two rows of giant stones. The stones were so tall and heavy that it was believed only the fairies of the world could have put them there.
Not far from the stone road and on the bank of the little Intail River, lived a man named Marzin and his sister Rozenik. Rozenik was a very beautiful girl, and her brother, Marzin, treated her like a princess and took great care of her. He refused everyone who came to ask for his sister's hand in marriage.
— No, thank you. My beautiful sister will one day marry a prince, not a poor apple merchant.
But Marzin didn't know that Rozenik and her childhood friend, Bernez, were in love.
— Oh, how I wish I were a prince, so I could ask your brother for your hand in marriage. But alas, I am just a humble woodcutter. — What do you say we tell my brother about us tomorrow at the feast? — But... — No 'buts'! Either you tell him, or I will. I don't care about the rich; I only care about you. That's all. — Hmm, but... — See you tomorrow! Bye!
The Feast and the Stranger
The next day, at Marzin and Rozenik's home, a big feast was held to celebrate the beginning of harvest time. Their house was full of guests. Bernez was there too. While talking to a guest, Rozenik signaled to Bernez to speak with her brother.
— Uh, but...
Hesitantly, he went towards Marzin.
— So, Marzin, I wanted to say... — A beggar in my house? — I'm not a beggar, it's me, Bernez! — I wasn't talking about you.
Marzin went to the door, where a man dressed in worn-out clothes stood. Everyone in the room stared at him.
— Who are you? — My name is Dario. I am a wizard and have been traveling the world for years. I was very tired and hungry and saw your house. Please give me some food and shelter for tonight. I will be forever indebted to you.
The Agreement with the Wizard
Marzin thought for a moment, then said:
— Alright, I will give you food and shelter tonight. But in return, I want you to use your magic to find my sister a prince to marry. — I will do my best.
Soon, the food was brought, and all the guests ate to their heart's content. Bernez didn't get a chance to speak with Marzin, and Rozenik was very disappointed.
The Secret of the Animals
That evening, after the guests had left, Dario was taken to the stable to rest. In the stable were a donkey and a sheep.
— Phew, alright, friends. Good night.
Dario lay down and closed his eyes. Outside, the moon shone brightly, and a shooting star streaked across the sky. At that moment, the donkey nodded and smiled contentedly.
— Hee-haw! Finally, that time of year has come, my dear! We can talk! Come on, come on, tell me what you're doing! — I don't want to talk in front of a wizard. — What? A wizard? — Yes, he's a wizard. I heard him when he introduced himself to Marzin. But you should know he's not a very good wizard. — How do you know that? — Well, wizards are smart. This one isn't smart enough to have figured out what good fortune might come his way tomorrow. — Fortune? — And you don't know? Once every hundred years, the stones of Plouhinec go to drink water from the river. And while they're gone, the treasures beneath them are uncovered. — Ah, I remember! But the stones return so quickly that they would surely catch and punish you if you weren't holding a purple apple. — Yes, but that's not enough. Even if, let's say, you get past them, the treasure must be taken by someone without sin, otherwise, whoever takes it will turn to dust.
The donkey was about to say something when he suddenly realized he couldn't speak anymore. The donkey turned to the window and saw a shooting star streaking across the sky from the other side, indicating that they could no longer speak. He closed his eyes, and the sheep did the same.
Dario's Wicked Plan
But wicked Dario had heard everything.
— Ha, you fools! Now I will become the richest man in the world and marry Rozenik!
And the next morning, Dario went out looking for the purple apple. He went to the market, into the jungle, across the fields, but the purple apple was nowhere to be found. Finally, when he had almost given up, he stopped under a tree and thought. Suddenly something fell on his head.
— Ouch!
He looked down and saw it was an apple. Not just any apple, but a purple one.
— Oh, the angels have blessed me! Now I will become the richest man in all of France!
The Meeting with Bernez
With the apple in hand, Dario went to the stone road where the mighty stones stood. As he passed the stones, he saw Bernez working with a chisel on the largest of them.
— What are you doing there? — Oh, Mr. Dario, good day! I have no work today, so I thought I'd carve a heart on this stone. — Do you think that will help you win Rozenik?
Bernez paused for a moment and looked at him.
— Aha, so you know about that, hmm? Unfortunately, Marzin wants a brother-in-law much richer than I will ever be. — And what if I gave you more money than Marzin could ever imagine? — You? — Yes, me! — And how can you earn this money? You should know that if I have to do any bad deed, I cannot do it. I am an honest man.
This made Dario smile. He had heard from the people of Plouhinec about Bernez and how he lived honestly and modestly. But now he was sure he had the right man at hand.
— I only ask for a little courage. — If that's the case, tell me what I need to do, and I will do it.
The Night of the Treasure
Dario went to Bernez and whispered the plan in his ear. Later that evening, when the clock in Plouhinec's church struck, Bernez entered the forest. He found Dario there with a bag in each hand and one on the ground.
— You're punctual! Tell me, what will you do with all the riches? — First, I will ask for Rozenik's hand, and then I will give what remains to the poor and needy of Plouhinec. That's what I'm thinking. — Then let's get to work!
At the first stroke of the 12 o'clock bell, an immense noise was heard, and the ground seemed to shake beneath the feet of the two onlookers. Then, under the moonlight, they watched as the giant stones moved from their places and slowly began to descend towards the river. It was as if a procession of giants.
Deeming it the right moment, the two men went towards the openings where the treasure gleamed under the moonlight. Dario sat down and held the bags, while Bernez took out the treasure and filled the bags. Two bags had been filled. Only the third remained. When Dario heard a faint murmur, as if a distant storm was approaching. The stones had finished drinking and were heading back to their places.
— Quick! They're coming! — My, my hand is caught! Help me! — Alas, it's too late! Take care, my friend! My life is precious! Thanks for the riches! Bye! — What? No!
Dario's Fate
Dario began to run with the two bags, when he tripped and fell. The bags flew from his hands and landed behind a bush. And then, the largest stone rushed towards Dario and stopped in front of Bernez, leaving no room for anyone to pass. It was the stone on which Bernez had carved the heart. Meanwhile, the other stones had surrounded Dario.
— Hmm, well, don't hurt me! You can't! I have the purple apple! — That's not an apple! It's a quince, you fool!
Then, all the stones surrounded him.
— No!
Suddenly
