Prince Ruby
Once upon a time, in distant Persia, a beggar was walking along the bank of a river. The river had suddenly shrunk, leaving behind a lot of mud. He was looking for fish that might have been left behind by the receding river.
— If I'm lucky enough, maybe today I'll find at least two fish. Or, or maybe even three!
But something much more valuable was waiting to be found.
— Wow! How big and shiny it is! I wonder how many meals I could buy with this stone!
The beggar quickly went to his friend who worked for the Shah, in the royal kitchen.
— Where did you find this? — By the water's edge. Listen, my friend, you've helped me a lot. I understand you can't give me free meals anymore. How many meals do you think I can buy with this stone? — Stone? That's a ruby, you silly goose! It can change your life! Take it to the Shah immediately! And listen! Ask him for two large jars of gold in exchange for the ruby! — Two large jars? — Yes! Nothing less! Do you understand?
The beggar followed his friend's advice and went to meet the Shah.
The Shah was shocked. He had never seen such a large ruby in his life.
— I'll give you three jars of gold in exchange for the ruby. Is that enough? — Three jars of gold? Sir! This is the best day of my life!
The beggar took the three jars of gold and left.
— It's very precious. I'll give it to my daughter as a gift when she turns 18. I'm sure it will bring her great luck.
He placed the ruby in a large chest and locked it with a big padlock.
On the day his daughter turned 18, the Shah went to retrieve the ruby. As soon as he opened the chest...
— Uh... Who are you? — Sir, I... — Guards! Thief! You stole my precious ruby! Give it back to me right now! — Sir, what thief would steal a ruby and then lock himself in a chest? Your ruby is gone. That's the truth. I cannot bring your ruby back. I am here in its place. I am Prince Ruby, and I ask you now not to question how this happened. — Prince Ruby? You're a thief! Do you think it's that easy? I lose my precious ruby, find a man in my chest, and I'm not allowed to ask how? — That is correct. I understand your anger. But whatever happens, I cannot tell you where I come from. — Ah! If that's the case, then you leave me no other option. Because I found you in the chest in my palace, you will do as I say. You are now my servant. — Yes, sir.
The Shah wanted Prince Ruby to be executed, but he couldn't. The prince's calm eyes and voice made it difficult for the Shah, and he couldn't give such an order. But he was still furious because he had lost his precious ruby.
The Shah forced the prince to do strange chores, like gardening or cleaning the palace, but the prince never complained for a moment. In fact, he used every task as an excuse to get closer to the princess. He was falling madly in love with the princess.
— Ah, this thief! How dare he steal from me? Ah, what shall I do with him? Wait! I have an idea!
The next day, he summoned the prince.
— Listen! A dragon lives in the waters of Persia. It has been sinking all our ships for months. Our trade is deeply affected. Take my sword and defeat the dragon! That is an order! — What? Oh, dear! Perhaps madness! — As you say, Your Majesty. But I would need a flute. I will play it to lure the dragon from the water into the forest. — Alright, but that won't help you. It's just as dangerous on land as it is in the water. — But this is the only way I can fulfill your orders, sir. I cannot step into the water.
The Shah agreed.
— You can't go into the water? What kind of prince is this? I've sent so many warriors to fight this dragon. No one has returned. He will meet the same fate as them. Ha ha ha!
The prince took the boat and rowed towards the forest. He went to a more open spot in the middle of the forest and prepared to call the dragon out of the water.
The ground trembled as the dragon approached. The air grew warm, and the prince knew the dragon was near. The dragon descended towards him with full force, but the prince didn't move. And with a determined flick of his hand...
— I will spare your life, but promise me you will never sink another ship or harm anyone ever again.
Prince Ruby returned to the palace. Everyone was shocked when they saw him.
— Your Majesty, I have done as you asked. The dragon will never return. — You are a brave prince! I am very impressed, my son! Ah, I believe you now. I don't know who you are or where you came from, but I will respect your wish and never ask you again. Tell me, what do you want? Your wish will be granted. — Sir, I have fallen in love with your daughter. With your permission, I would like to ask her to marry me. — Ha ha ha! You have already won me over with your courage. If she wants to marry you, who am I to say anything?
The Shah's daughter was just as impressed with the prince. She immediately agreed to marry him.
The princess was a gentle woman. She loved her husband very much. Both spent their time taking great care of their kingdom.
But one question wouldn't leave the princess in peace.
— My love, I know nothing about you. Who are you really? Please, tell me where you came from! — Please, don't ask me that. I can never tell you. The day I do, you will lose me forever.
This saddened the princess. She loved her prince and wanted to know everything about him. Once, when they were sitting by the ocean, she tried to ask him again. And again, the prince grew sad and asked her not to force him anymore.
— But why? Why can't I know? Please, please, tell me! — Ah! You know I love you very much. I cannot bear to see you suffer like this. If you must know, then I will tell you who I am. I am... — Ah! Help! Guards! Bring my husband back!
The king's soldiers searched the entire ocean, but the prince was nowhere to be found. The princess blamed herself. Everyone tried to explain to her how it couldn't be her fault, but she wouldn't listen.
— No! He disappeared because of my foolish questions!
The princess couldn't bear the pain and became very ill. Many doctors came to treat her, but nothing worked. The Shah worried about his daughter.
Then, one day, a maid entered her bedroom with strange news.
— Your Majesty, Your Majesty! Oh dear! There were so many lights on the ocean last night. Spirits were dancing! It was wonderful! — What nonsense! There are no spirits. Get out of here! — But I saw him! He had the brightest ruby on his head and... — You, you said ruby? — I know you don't believe in spirits, but... — I don't care about spirits! Take me there!
That night, the princess and the maid hid behind the bushes in the forest near the ocean. They waited there until it grew dark. Then, suddenly, they saw little lights emerging from the ocean. The lights suddenly transformed into wonderful spirits and small men. Some time later, the King of the Ocean appeared with his people. He wore a golden robe and held a scepter in his hand.
Soon, the show began. The spirits danced, and the men showed tricks to the king. But the princess didn't care about any of it. Her gaze was fixed on the man standing next to the king. She could never forget those ocean-blue eyes. The love of her life stood there like a statue.
— My prince!
Then the princess did something brave. She covered her face with a veil and emerged from her hiding place. She danced among the spirits. She moved so beautifully that everyone was left speechless.
— Extraordinary! For such a divine dance, ask us anything you wish, and it shall be granted instantly! — Your Majesty, I am the Shah's daughter. The wife of Prince Ruby, who stands beside your throne. Please, please, give me my husband back! I ask for nothing else!
The King was disturbed by this request and turned back into the water. And he took the prince with him.
— No! Wait! — Princess! Look there!
The princess ran towards the shore. It was her prince. Before she could understand what was happening, the voice of the ocean was heard.
— You may have him back. But do not forget how you lost him. Be wiser.
— Ah! My love!
The entire kingdom rejoiced at the return of Prince Ruby. The princess became wiser from that day on. She never again asked her husband about his world beneath the ocean. She was happy that he was with her. The princess loved her ruby prince very much, and they lived happily ever after.
Moral: Sometimes, love and trust are more valuable than all the secrets of the world.
