Romanian Legends or Fables, gathered from the mouth of the people , Bucharest, 1882
Was once upon a time; that if it were not, it would not be told; when pigs used to fly, when Adam was alive,
In the days when bears fought each other twisting their long tails, and wolves and lambs would frolic in the spring sunshine,
But not quite long ago..
There was a great emperor and a queen, both young and so beautiful like no other . And, wishing to have children, they did many times what they were supposed to do for it; he even went to shamans for casting spells and philosophers to read in sky's stars if they will have children; but it was all in vain.. At some point, the king has heard that in a village not too far, yet not so close, there was a wise old person living there, known as 'the Uncle'.
The king then immediately sent servants to asking him to come; but our old' Uncle politely declined, and mentioning that whoever is in need of him, they're more than welcome to come :) .
Coming this refusal to his both ears our emperor took the queen, couple of boyars, then soldiers and servants, and went all along towards the Uncle's home . As he saw them from afar, he opened his old wooden door and, went out to meet and greet them:
-- Be all welcome in my homeland! But. . what do you seek to find my king? I can tell, the desire you hold but, that, will only bring you sadness..
-- That is not what I came for to ask you, spoke the Emperor, but whether you have any cures to give me that will help us to have children !?
-- I do have something, speaking the uncle with a spark in his voice, but you'll only be able to bear one child (and slowly his excitement fading away..); he will be so #beautiful like no other, and caring like no person on Earth; but it will come a time, when you will not be able to enjoy all that anymore..
The King and his Queen took the cures anyway, and then returned cheerfully to the palace and, it was #amazing that after only few days the Queen could feel the signs of pregnancy! All the kingdom and its servants rejoiced with this lovely miracle !
As the time passed by, the moment of birth was here at last, just a second away. As everybody was waiting impatiently, the baby started to cry, while still inside. He was crying so bad that no healer managed to make it right and reconcile him. Then, his father went closer to the Queen, and whispered to his son promises of all the goods in the world; but it was not enough to please him and make him be quiet.
-- Shush my darling, as i will give you this kingdom and all the riches within !
The baby was crying louder...
-- Shush my darling, as i will marry you with the most beautiful and kindest woman from the entire world, and i will give you this kingdom and all the riches within as well !
Baby still crying.. ♪♫♬ !!
The Emperor seeing he's still so loud, whispered one more time: -- Shush my darling, as i will give you immortality and, eternal youth .
Then, the baby became silent and was born;he was named: Prince-Charming !
To such great news, all the servants and the kingdom held in joy and happiness, singing and shouting, being full of excitement for an entire week!
Now, the kid started to grow; and as he was growing older, the wiser and bolder he became. He was going to schools and meeting with philosophers, and all the teachings other children would learn in one year, he would so in just a month. Seeing this, the emperor dies and resurrects with joy. All the kingdom boasted that it would have a wise and prophetic king like Solomon the emperor!
But for a while now, I do not know.. you could tell there was something in his eyes ,he looked sad and thoughtful.. All till one day, when, the child turned fifteen; and while they were the Emperor with all the boyars and servants of the kingdom were busy and chatty in a grand festivities room celelebrating his birthday, Prince-Charming rose up and said:
-- Father. It is time to give me what you've promised me at birth .
Hearing this words.. the king, very sad, told him:
-- But dear son, how can I give you such an unheard thing? And if I promised you then, it was only to make you feel better at that time.
-- Then if you, Father, can not give me this, then I will have to go all around the world until I would be able to find the pledge that I was born for .
At the moment of hearing this statement, all the boyars with the king himself, were asking and praying at Prince-Charming to not give up on the kingdom and leave;
-- Your father ! He is old now, and it will be your time soon to follow his trone; and it will be your time to get married. For this, we will bring you the most beautiful woman from queen under the sun rays to be your queen and further rule the Kingdom.
But from what was said, there was nothing able to make him change his mind back. The determination he had, remained steadfast as a stone and so his words .
To this, unable to do much to make his only son stay, the Emperor decided to give his blessing and to prepare everything he needed for the trip food-wise.
Prince-Charming then went to the royal stables where the most beautiful stallions in the kingdom. So now, he could choose one, as he pleased. but, as he put his hand and grabbed one of the tail, the horse just slammed down on the floor; and same as first one, all the others horses fell too. Finally, just as he was coming out, he threw his eyes once more through the stable, and saw a mangy, scabby and weak horse in a corner. Nevertheless, considering that was the last one up-standing, he went to him as well; to that point, when he put the hands on his tail, he turned back his head and said:
-- What are your orders, my lord ?
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