The Enchanted Princess
Achilles and the Enchanted Castle
Once upon a time, a soldier named Achilles bid farewell to his comrades and set off for home. After traveling for a few days, he ran out of money for food for himself or his horse. And home was still very far away.
He was hungry and tired when he reached a large and beautiful castle. He entered the castle, led his horse to the stable, gave it food, and then entered the palace.
In one of the rooms was a table laden with the finest foods and drinks you could ever dream of. He ate and drank as much as he needed. When suddenly, a bear walked in.
— Mmm, mmm, mmm. — Ah! — Oh, don't be afraid. I'm not a hungry bear, actually. — Well, from what I see, it looks like you are. — Rest assured! I am an honest girl, an enchanted princess, you could say. And if you stay here for one night, this spell will break. — I apologize, but I don't think I want to spend the night in the presence of a bear. — Don't worry! I won't do you any harm.
Meeting the Bear Princess
The bear showed Achilles a portrait of a beautiful princess.
— This is me, Princess Paris. — You are beautiful. — Thank you! And if you stay here tonight and help me break the spell, I will marry you. I promise you that! — I would be happy to have you as my wife. Alright, I'll stay here tonight. — Thank you! Um... — My name is Achilles. — Thank you, Achilles! We will see each other tomorrow.
The Promise and the Wedding
Achilles nodded, and the bear left. Tired from his journey, he lay down to sleep. When the sun rose the next day, the princess entered. She was even more beautiful than in the portrait she had shown him.
— You helped me break the spell cast upon me, Achilles. Thank you, and as I promised, I want you to prepare for our wedding.
The wedding took place, and they lived happily together. Days passed, and Achilles thought of his old home and wanted to visit it.
Returning Home and the Magic Seeds
— Please don't go! Aren't you happy here? — My dear, I want to see my elderly parents. Don't worry, I'll be back quickly. — Well, alright then. If you must go, please take this little bag of seeds. Wherever you go, scatter some seeds on both sides of the road. Wherever they fall, trees will grow. And from these trees, rare fruits will grow, and beautiful birds will sing. — Everything about you is truly magical. I am grateful that you are my wife. — And I am grateful that I found you.
Achilles kissed her hand and left. In the following days, wherever he went, Achilles scattered the magical seeds, and behind him, trees grew as if crawling out of the ground.
The Magicians and the Curse
One day, in the middle of a field, he saw a group of men sitting on the grass and playing cards. Next to them hung a cauldron in which soup was boiling, even though there was no fire underneath.
— Greetings, good people! You have something wonderful, a cauldron that boils without fire. It's extraordinary! But I have something even better than you.
He took out a seed and threw it on the ground. In an instant, a tree with rare fruits on its branches grew, around which beautiful birds sang.
— Where did he get the magic seeds? Only the enchanted princess has such seeds! I think he's the one who helped her break the spell we cast on her! He must pay! — Yes, let's make him sleep for half a year!
Achilles didn't know that they were the magicians who had enchanted Princess Paris. They cast a spell on him, and Achilles immediately fell from his horse and quickly fell asleep.
The Princess's Search and Her Curse
Soon, Princess Paris was informed by a soldier that all the treetops were dry and dead.
— This is not good! I think something bad has happened to my husband.
She decided to go look for him. She walked along the same road Achilles had taken, and when she reached the field, she saw a magnificent tree, and beneath it, her husband.
She shook him, called out to him, even pinched him, but he didn't move. Princess Paris was very angry, and in her fury, she cursed him.
— You sleepyhead! I hope a storm picks you up and carries you far away, to unknown lands!
As soon as she uttered these words, a strong wind began to blow and whistle, and it lifted the soldier and carried him away right before the princess's eyes. The princess immediately regretted what she had said. But it was too late.
— Oh, no! What have I done? Oh, oh, oh!
Achilles Wakes Up and Meets the Magicians' Sons
Meanwhile, Achilles had been carried by the wind and thrown onto an island. The moment he opened his eyes, half a year had passed. He woke up, jumped to his feet, and looked around.
— How? How did I get here? Who... who brought me here?
As he walked along the sandy beach of the island, he saw three men arguing. They were the sons of a mischievous magician.
— What's the matter? Why are you arguing, boys? — Sir, you see, our father died and left us three wonderful things: a flying carpet, seven-league boots, and an invisible hat. But we can't decide what each of us should take. — Oh, silly magicians! Stop arguing! If you wish, I will divide the items among you so that everyone is happy.
The magicians agreed.
— Now, do you see that coconut tree? The one whose leaves touch the ground? — Yes! — Yes! — Yes!
Achilles' Trick
— Leave the three items here next to me and race there and back. Whoever gets back to me first can choose one of the three items. Whoever comes second chooses one of two. And the third, well, he takes what's left.
Immediately, the three magicians dashed off towards the coconut tree. Achilles smiled, took the seven-league boots, the invisible hat, sat on the flying carpet, and set off to find his kingdom.
Achilles' Journey
After some time, he reached a hut and went inside. There was an elderly lady there.
— Good morning, Granny! I am very hungry. Can you please give me something to eat? — Of course, my son! Please, sit down.
Achilles sat down, and the lady moved her hands through the air. Immediately, a large table full of good food appeared.
— Wow! Are you... are you a fairy? — I am many things. Now be quiet and eat!
Achilles ate as much as he needed. As soon as he finished, the table disappeared.
The Old Fairy
— Thank you very much for the food. If you could help me with one more thing, I would be forever grateful.
Achilles told the old fairy everything.
— So, here I am
