The Radiant Princess
Long, long ago, there lived a king who fell ill because of a dark spell. Only one thing could save him.
— How is he? — It's a very powerful spell. Only one medicine can save him from this curse, but it's very, very hard to find. — Tell me what it is, doctor. I will go to the ends of the earth to find it. — We need clay from a rabbit's burrow. The burrow must be at least ten years old and we need the clay in three days. — I can find a burrow, but how do I know how old it is? — You'll have to take the risk.
The Search for the Magic Clay
The prince set off into a forest to find a field rabbit's burrow. He traveled a long time but saw no rabbits, until at one point a rabbit appeared in his path. The prince spurred his horse and galloped off so as not to lose sight of the rabbit.
He chased the rabbit and entered a cave — a cave that belonged to a wicked giant. The giant saw the prince.
— Well, well, what do we have here? A prince! How dare you enter my cave? — I need clay from a rabbit's burrow. Please let me take it. My father's life depends on it. I'll come back and you can punish me as much as you want. But now, please let me follow the rabbit. — Let you go? Oh, I'll let you go! You're not going anywhere! — Let me go! Let me go, please!
Captive in the Cave
For two days and two nights, the prince sat in a box. He did everything he could to get out but couldn't. He was worried to death about his dear father.
On the second night, the box suddenly opened. He saw a strange light and then a young woman, the most radiant girl in the whole world.
— I am the rabbit you were chasing. The giant cursed me so that during the day I am a rabbit and at night I return to my original form. Quickly! The giant isn't here. Leave before he returns. Take this clay from a field rabbit's burrow for your father. Go! — Thank you, princess. How can I help you? — Run away from here now. And then, when your father is well, go and travel the world. You will find a way to help me. Now go.
The Prince's Promise
The prince did as he was told. He went to the palace and saved his father's life. Then, as the princess had said, he decided to travel the world.
— Father, now that you're well, I must keep a promise. — I understand, son. The princess saved my life. I give you leave to do whatever is needed to help her. — I must travel the world, but not as a prince, because that won't work, but as an ordinary young man, to see what trade I can learn. — Very well. All the best, son. And come back as soon as you can.
The Prince Fisherman
So the prince left the palace as an ordinary young man. He traveled far and wide, until one night he met a fisherman at an inn.
— Well, young man, I haven't seen you before. Are you new around here? — Yes, I want to learn a trade. — Then come with me. Strong arms like yours would be useful. Would you like to become a fisherman? — Yes, I don't see why not.
So the prince went with the fisherman and learned to fish. The prince worked hard, and the fisherman was pleased.
When the time came for the prince to leave, the fisherman gave him a net.
— This net was given to me by a sorcerer. No fish in the world can break it. Take it with you. — Thank you very much.
The Radiant Kingdom
So the prince traveled on. When he was hungry, he fished. When he needed money, he sold the fish, and so he continued traveling until he reached a new kingdom whose palace shone at night with a thousand little lights. He asked a passerby about it.
— Friend, I'm new here. Tell me, why is the palace decorated like this? Is there a special occasion tonight? — Oh, the palace is decorated like this every evening. The king, as a proud father, celebrates the beauty of our princess. And the king challenges everyone to show him a young woman who shines brighter than his daughter. No one has ever heard of a girl more radiant than our princess. — But why does beauty matter so much? — It's her father's pride. Our princess is very skilled in sports and arts. But secretly, she wishes someone would find a woman who shines brighter than her, so her father would stop this celebration. She finds it embarrassing.
The King's Challenge
— Maybe I can help the princess.
So the prince went to the king's court.
— Your Highness, I know a young woman as radiant as the sun. — You, an ordinary fisherman, know a young woman as radiant as the sun? — Yes. — Very well, you have one week for her to come here to court. — Your Highness, I don't agree that a young woman should have to prove her beauty. If I bring her here for your princess, promise me you will receive her as an honored royal guest. — Fine, I promise! But be warned, if you fail to bring her here, you will be punished! — Agreed.
Saving the Princess
So the prince returned to the forest in his kingdom and found the giant's cave. But though he searched, he couldn't find the entrance to the cave, for it was surrounded by water and he couldn't get past it. The prince was about to jump into the water when he heard something.
— Prince, wait! — Who are you? — I am the princess's godmother. I know you are the prince she told me about. — How did you recognize me? I'm dressed as a fisherman. — She told me you have very smiling eyes. — Where is she? — After you escaped, the giant was furious with her and locked her in the same box he had locked you in. When she's a rabbit, she can't leave the cave because it's surrounded by water. So she must stay in the box. The water around it is guarded by a large and cruel fish. I know how to enter the cave through the burrow she made as a rabbit, but we can't exit the same way. — Don't worry. Go into the cave and climb into the same box with her. The box is made of wood and will float. I'm a good swimmer and I'll get you both out. — Ah, what about the fish? — I have a net that no fish can break. Don't worry. Go to the princess now!
The Golden Mist
So the old woman went into the cave through the burrow and climbed into the wooden box with the princess. The prince cast the net in the water and caught the fish. Then he swam into the cave and pulled out the box. In the blink of an eye, they were outside the forest.
— Prince, you've saved me! Thank you! — I'd like to ask you a favor. — Yes.
The prince told the princess and her godmother about the king and his daughter.
— I wouldn't have asked you to come with me, but I heard that the princess is tired of the king boasting about her beauty and wishes another girl more beautiful would appear to put an end to her unhappiness. — I understand. And of course I'll come with you. It's good that the king celebrates at night, because that's when I'll be myself. — How can we break the giant's curse? — The curse can be broken if I pass through a golden mist.
So they went to the kingdom, but when they arrived at the palace, the prince made a strange request. He took a wooden box and asked the princess to get inside. Then he brought the box to the palace.
— Where is this young woman you say is more beautiful than my daughter? — Your Highness, she's in this box. — Ha ha ha! Is this some joke? The radiant young woman is in a box? I'm not amused, young man! — Bear with me, Your Highness. Can you get me some gold dust? I assure you that you can punish me as much as you wish, but be patient a few more minutes. — Bring him a barrel of gold dust! — The dust must be put in tubes and blown, so it rises like a golden mist. — Your Highness, he's wasting our time! — If he is, he'll pay! But for now, let's trust what he says.
So the gold was put in tubes and hundreds of soldiers blew into them, making the gold dust rise into a thick golden mist. When the mist was thick enough, the godmother opened the box and the princess emerged. She passed through the golden mist, her curse was broken, and the entire court was amazed by her boundless beauty.
— My lady, you truly are the most radiant woman in the world! — See, Father! Now stop boasting about my beauty to everyone. Stop embarrassing me! I'm not just beautiful! — I'm sorry, my dear. Fisherman, how did you...?
The Happy Ending
The prince told the king about himself and the princess. The king helped them return to the prince's kingdom, where they married and lived happily ever after. The giant never bothered them again, but they were careful and never went near his cave.
And the king learned that beauty isn't everything.
