The Generous Prince
Forests are enchanting, quiet places, full of stories and creatures with deep, dark secrets. In the middle of such a forest, a king strayed from his usual path.
Wandering through the forest, he worried he wouldn't find his way out. Just then, he came across a strange-looking man. His back was hunched, he leaned on a staff, and his beard reached the ground.
— Who are you? And what are you doing here in my forest? Are you lost, peasant?
— I am not a peasant, I am the king of this land. These forests are mine, but, yes, I am lost. Can you help me?
— Aha! You are the king, you say? How good for you! Well, my king, these forests are mine and only I know the way out. I can show you the way if you wish, but I would like something in return.
The King was surprised by the old man's behavior, but he had to return home. He needed to be with his wife and newborn child.
— What do you want in return? Name your price.
— Ha ha ha! I don't need any of that. Is that what you think? No, you must promise me that when I ensure you reach the gates of your kingdom, whatever first comes out of the gate, that you will give me in return. I will give you one day. You must promise me it will be mine forever.
— Whatever might come out of the gate.
The King thought about it, but he knew he had been traveling for far too long and that everyone would be worried about him. So he made up his mind. He shook the old man's hand, agreeing to the bargain.
Following the hunched old man through the forest, the King was sometimes amused and pleasantly surprised by the old man's speed and agility. The old man led him through puddles and narrow spots, and though it was difficult, he somehow kept moving forward. Finally, the old man kept his word. He eventually made sure the King found his way home.
— Don't forget your promise, my King!
The King was greeted with flowers and cheers. The people were happy to see him whole, but only one person cried with joy: the Queen.
Before the King could say anything, she ran towards him with their firstborn in her arms and passed through the gate, becoming the first person the old man could see.
Seeing the child, the old man smiled. The King turned and watched the old man disappear back into the forest.
— My King, you seem worried. What is it? Tell me what troubles you. Aren't you happy to be home?
— No, that's not true. I am very happy to be home, with my wife and my son. But I made a big mistake, my dear.
The King told the Queen everything, every detail she didn't know. The Queen was shocked by the story and both wondered what they would do now.
— I think I have an idea.
The King called a servant and asked if there were any children born on the same day as his son. The servant confirmed that a baby girl had been born to a peasant couple on the same night as the prince.
The King called the couple with their child to the castle.
— King! You called for us? How could a simple man like me be of help to you?
— My dear, your King asks a great favor of you. One he knows will be very difficult for you to grant. But in return, I will reward you a hundredfold for your sacrifice for the kingdom.
The King spoke to the peasant, explaining everything, knowing he would have a difficult decision to make. He asked that the peasant girl take the prince's place for the old man.
The King promised to take care of the couple forever if they would make this sacrifice.
The next day, the old man stood at the edge of the forest, waiting for the King to come. Some time passed, and then the gates opened.
The King rode his horse towards the old man, looking upset. He dismounted and, in a basket covered with a white cloth, gave the crying infant to the old man.
The old man had a wicked, evil smile, but was pleased he got what he wanted. Holding the basket tightly, he limped away, taking the little girl with him.
The King could only watch as both disappeared into the forest.
Years passed and the prince grew up. He was kind, clever, and helped everyone around him.
— I am glad to see that the kingdom my father built is in good shape. The people are happy, they have food to eat, and good livelihoods. What more could a king wish for?
As the prince happily walked through the streets, from a distance, the peasant's wife watched him. She looked at her husband, who nodded. But when he turned away, she ran towards the prince. She stopped in front of him, blocking his path.
— You don't know me, Prince, but I must tell you this. Yes, the King is a good man. He took care of his kingdom. But at what cost? Yours? Ours? Ask him about my child, about my daughter!
The prince was worried. He didn't know what that woman was talking about. That evening, at dinner, the prince asked his parents what had happened.
— Be honest with me, Father! Did the woman lie? Or are there still things untold?
The King revealed everything: about the journey in the forest and the old man, a promise, and a sacrifice for the glory of the kingdom.
— I must find her. Only because of her sacrifice am I here today. I cannot be a prince or a king until she is free. Either I bring her back, or I take her place. Is that understood, Father and Mother?
— You must do what you believe is right, just as I did.
Then, the next day, he dressed in ordinary clothes, like an ordinary man, to hide his identity. He took with him a bag of seeds, in case he got lost in the forest, so he could find his way home.
So once again, just like his father, the prince set off into the endless forest.
The prince walked for several days. Tired after these few days, he fell asleep in the forest. In the darkness of the night, he was woken by a thick staff.
— Hey, hey! This is my forest! How dare you sleep in it without my permission? Who do you think you are? Some king? Wake up, you useless bag of dust that you are!
The prince woke up, scared and pleased to see the old man. The old man looked the same, limping and very grumpy.
— I'm sorry, sir, but I need work. I am hungry, but capable. If your heart would allow you to give me food and work for a few days, I would be grateful. You seem like a good and generous man.
The old man seemed neither good nor generous, but he realized the boy could be useful to him.
— Yes, you can be useful to me. You must respect my rules and you will be fed and cared for. But if you break any rule, I will make you pay. Do you understand?
The old man used his magic to blind the prince and led him through the forest. But the prince didn't forget to scatter the seeds. The old man once again savored the small accidents.
The prince fell into the lake, hit his head on a tree, and all of this greatly amused the old man. Finally, they arrived at the old man's home.
— This is where you will sleep. You will speak to no one and ask no questions. You will do as you are told. Agreed? Dinner is inside, and tomorrow you will begin work.
The prince agreed, and the old man left. He put down his bag and was uneasy about how things would go. Hours passed and it was time for dinner.
As the prince slept, a girl approached him. She nudged him twice, then three times. Finally, she hit him.
— It's time to wake up, sleepyhead! There's food on the table. You'll have a lot of work tomorrow. The old man will never let you rest again. You'd better eat.
Together they went inside the house. The prince knew in his heart that this was the girl, the one he had come for. He had found her.
They all sat down at the table. The girl came from the kitchen and served them food. The prince couldn't take his eyes off the girl.
In the morning, the old man gave the prince many tasks to complete: from gathering fruit from the tallest tree, to fetching water from the lake, cleaning the ogre's feet, and brushing the old man's teeth. The prince had to do everything.
All this time, the girl watched him, worried and proud, with a wide smile on her face.
But eventually, he was given a difficult task. He was asked to go to the field and cut enough grass to feed the horses for a week. Otherwise, he would not receive food for three days.
— What task did he give you?
— He wants me to cut all the grass in one day. How can I do that?
— Oh, you unfortunate soul! Listen to what I have to say! It's your only escape.
So, the prince led two horses out of the stable into the field. He cut several small piles of hay, holding them in front of the horses. He then tied the horses to his scythe and began to walk across the field, with the large scythe in his hand.
To his delight, the plan worked. By the end of the day, all the hay in the field was cut. The boy sat on the tired horse and fed it as they slowly returned to the old man's house.
The girl smiled when she saw him, and the old man was angry.
Then, the next day:
— I have something else for you. This is my black and precious cow. You will have to milk her completely dry. My milk reserves are gone. Get all the milk from her, and I will never be hungry again.
— To get all the milk from her? All in a single day? How is that possible?
— Yes, don't come home if you are unable to complete this task.
The prince tried several times, but was even hit in the face by the cow several times. Finally, he sat down and gave up. He waited for the girl, hoping she would come to save him.
— What would you do without me?
The girl helped the prince again. She warmed his hands. As the prince milked the cow with warm hands, she reacted better. Buckets after buckets were filled with the black cow's milk. The girl wished the prince good luck and left him to continue alone. By the end of the day, 20 buckets of milk were full, enough to last a long time.
The old man came and saw a boy smiling and drinking a glass of milk. He raised the glass. The old man glared at him.
— Get out of my house! I don't know how, but you broke my rules. These tasks were meant only for you. But you accepted her help. I will not be fooled. Get out of my sight!
— I helped him! Punish me, not him!
The wizard, now in his true form, locked up the ogre and told the boy to leave by morning and never return.
— Break his staff! His power lies within it! I can't stay here anymore! I want to see the world! He locked up the ogre and me! Break his staff!
The prince looked at the sad ogre and gathered his courage. He knew what he had to do. He loved the girl and couldn't leave her there. He put down his bag, took an axe from it, freed the ogre, and together they slipped through the window the girl had left open, looking for the wizard.
Walking slowly through the house, they reached the largest room. Inside, they saw the wizard awake, holding the girl's hand and laughing.
— Did you think you could defeat me? Or fool me? You have no chance, boy!
But the prince was not afraid. He and the ogre ran towards the wizard, giving him two targets to hit and making his task harder. It worked! The ogre was wounded, and the prince pushed the wizard and grabbed the staff. He freed the girl, who ran to join the ogre.
— Ah! You will never harm anyone again!
The magic staff was broken, and the wizard collapsed, becoming gray-haired and old again, with his hands up, begging for mercy.
— We are leaving here! You will never harm anyone again! No more promises to be kept! No more of your tasks! I am your prince! You will obey me! We are leaving here and no one will ever see you again!
They left the old man's house and found the path of seeds the prince had made. The seeds had turned into rose bushes. Holding hands, they headed towards the kingdom, with the ogre behind them, of course.
The prince presented the girl to her parents and to the King and Queen. In the kingdom, there was joy and love in everyone's hearts once more.
— She will be my queen. She is brave and clever, daring and beautiful. I could ask for nothing more.
And together they lived happily ever after.
