Romanian Fairy Tales
The Talisman
Once upon a time, a prince and a princess who had just married loved each other madly. They were truly happy. The prince's name was Robert and the princess's name was Emilia.
Robert and Emilia wanted to preserve their happiness and wished for a talisman to protect them against any unhappiness in their marriage.
The Search for the Talisman
One day, the king's advisor told them about a man who lived in the forest and was respected by all for his wisdom, known for giving good advice in times of need and trouble.
— We should go as quickly as possible to meet this man.
The next day, Robert and Emilia set off to meet the wise man. When they arrived at the tree where the wise man lived, they told him everything that was in their hearts. The wise man listened and then said:
— Travel to all the lands of the earth, and wherever you find a happily married couple, ask them for a piece of the clothes they wear directly on their skin. When you receive it, take it with you and bring it to me. I will mix it with molten gold and from them, I will make two golden rings. The golden rings will be your talismans. This is the only cure.
Robert and Emilia thanked the wise man and continued on their way. They rode through jungles and rivers and soon arrived in a city where they asked a passerby about the happiest married couple.
— Yes, our knight and his wife are the happiest married couple! — Let's quickly go and see the knight!
When they went to the knight's castle, he welcomed them. Robert and Emilia asked the knight and his wife if it was true that their marriage was happy, as people said.
— Yes, of course. We are very happy together.
Emilia and Robert were delighted.
— But with one exception. — What is that? — We don't have any children. Every day we wish we had a child to make our relationship truly happy.
Emilia and Robert's happiness immediately vanished, as the requirements for making the talisman were no longer met. Discouraged, they thanked the knight and his wife and continued their journey in search of the completely happy married couple.
Happy People, But Not Enough
As they traveled, they arrived in a country where they heard about an honest citizen who lived in perfect union and happiness with his wife. So they went to him and asked if they were truly as happy as people said.
— Oh, yes, we are. My wife and I live in perfect harmony. But if our son weren't always so sick, we would be happier. We have tried the best doctors in the country, but they couldn't cure him.
Disappointed again, Robert and Emilia looked at each other.
— We are very sorry to hear about your son and hope he recovers quickly. — The search must continue.
They thanked the honest man and his wife and continued their journey. They walked and walked through the country, always asking about happily married couples, but none presented themselves.
— Don't worry, my dear. I'm sure we'll find the talisman soon. — I hope so, my love. For if not, all our travels and all the work we put in will be in vain.
Robert nodded and smiled to comfort his wife. But, deep down, he was also worried.
Meeting the Shepherd
One day, riding past fields and pastures, they noticed a shepherd by the roadside, cheerfully playing his flute. Just then, a woman carrying a baby in her arms and holding a little boy by the hand walked towards him. As soon as the shepherd saw her, he greeted her and took the little child, whom he kissed and caressed. The shepherd's dog ran towards the little boy, barked and jumped happily.
The woman arranged the food she had brought with her. The man sat down and took a bite of food. All this was observed by Robert and Emilia, who approached and spoke to them.
— You must be a very happy married couple! — Yes, we are. — How happy are you? — No prince or princess can be happier than us. We are not just happy, we are also content.
Robert and Emilia looked at each other and smiled, for they believed they had finally found the gateway to the talisman.
— It's a pleasure to meet you and your family. — Likewise, sir! Would you like to stay and eat with us? It's not much, but it is food.
Emilia looked at Robert and nodded.
— Not only are you happy, but you are also kind. And yes, we won't refuse a little food.
Robert and Emilia sat down and ate with them. They talked for a while, and when the food was finished, Robert quickly thought to ask the farmers for the piece of cloth.
— The food was delicious. Emilia and I cannot thank you enough, but I want to ask you one more favor. Let me assure you beforehand that if you help us, you will not regret it. — Of course, what is it about? — Give us a piece of the linen clothes you wear directly on your body and we will reward you enormously. — Linen clothes? — Yes. You see, we have traveled for days to find a truly happy couple, and in you two, we have found them. If you give us a piece of fabric from your clothes, we will take it to the wise man in the forest, who will make talismans from it that will ensure Robert and I live happily forever. Just like you.
The shepherd and his wife looked strangely at each other, which made Robert and Emilia curious.
— What is it? — We would be very happy to give you not just a piece, but the whole shirt, if we had one. But we don't have any. You see, we don't have much, but we cherish what we have.
Robert and Emilia became sad. But nevertheless, they gave the shepherd some gold coins as they left.
— You are a good man. Take care of yourself and your family.
The shepherd and his wife thanked Emilia and Robert. As they mounted their horses, Robert looked at Emilia with worry.
— My dear, I'm afraid this search for the talisman will cost us all the years of our youth. — That's right, my love. Let's return to the kingdom. I don't want any talisman.
The Wise Man's Lesson
And so, Robert and Emilia decided to return home. Passing by the forest where the wise man lived, they decided to stop and tell him about their experiences and ask him to account for the advice he had given them.
— Ah, look who's back! Robert and Emilia! I presume you found the piece of fabric? — We didn't find it. It was a horrible idea to go looking for it anyway. — Oh, was it? — Yes. How could you do this to us? We traveled to so many cities to meet people and found none suitable for the impossible piece of fabric. — My husband is right. It was a complete waste of time.
After listening to them, the wise man smiled.
— Was your journey all in vain? Have you not returned richer in knowledge?
When they heard this, Robert and Emilia froze. They looked at each other and wondered what the wise man meant.
— What do you mean? — Ask yourselves! Did you learn nothing from this journey? — Well, yes. We gained the information that contentment is a rare gift on this earth. — And I learned that to be content, one needs no more than to be content.
And Robert and Emilia realized what the wise man had wanted them to do all this time. It was a lesson. Robert took Emilia's hand. The two looked at each other with the deepest love. The wise man blessed them.
— In your hearts, you have found the true talisman. Take care of it, and may the evil spirit of discontent never have any power over you.
Conclusion
Robert and Emilia thanked the wise man and returned to the kingdom. With each passing day, they loved each other more and more, and together they protected the talisman found in their hearts and lived happily ever after.
But wait! That's not the end! The knight and his wife had a baby girl. The honest man's son was cured and never fell ill again. As for the shepherd, well, he was none other than the wise man in disguise, giving Emilia and Robert a lesson.
The true talisman is not an object, but the contentment and love found in our hearts.
