Prince Handsome

 

        Youth everlasting and Life without End

Translated from the Romanian by Ana Cartianu

                                                                       

This story happened - once upon a time -in the days when the poplar tree bore pears and the willow tree flowered into violets.

Bears fought each other twisting their long tails in tight knots, and wolves and lambs would frolic in the spring sunshine. A flea would shoe one tiny foot with ninety nine iron weights of three pounds each and soar up to the skies to bring us fairy tales.

The fly would write on the wall.

The bigger liar is he who doesn't trust me at all.

At that time there lived a great emperor and his empress. They were both young and handsome and longed for children to succeed them. All the doctors and fortune-tellers in the land cast spells, made signs on the ground, but no one knew the answer. At last the emperor heard of a very clever old man who lived in a neighbouring village and sent his messengers to bring him to the palace. But the old man was proud. He sent back a message saying that whoever wished to see him must come to his home.

So the emperor and empress set out on their journey to the next village taking with them boyars, servants and soldiers.

As soon as he saw the great dust along the road, the old man came to meet them saying, "Welcome ! I am glad to see you in such good health. What is it that troubles Your Highness ? I fear it will bring sorrow." "I don't want to hear that," said the emperor impatiently, "my wife and I long for children, but none can tell if we shall be so blessed. " "you have come to the right place for your answer," said the old man. "Quick, tell us," begged the empress.

"Very well," he replied, "you shall have but one child. He will be called Prince Handsome the Well-Beloved, but you shall have no joy of him." The emperor and empress were so happy to hear they would have a son. They paid no heed to the rest of the news and returned home amid great rejoicing.

Just before the baby was born, it could be heard sobbing and none could soothe it. At last, distressed by the crying, the emperor promised the child all the wonders of the world, but still it sobbed.

"Quiet, my son," said his father, "I shall give you many lands, you shall marry a princess and be the richest man in the world." But the crying went on.

The emperor could stand no more. "Very well," he said, "you shall have youth everlasting and life without end." Then the baby stopped crying and was born. All the people in the land celebrated the wonderful news which was made a special holiday, with soldiers beating their drums and blowing their fifes to tell everyone that Prince Handsome had arrived.

Every day the child grew, becoming more and more daring and clever .

At school he was soon far beyond the other children. All they learnt in a year, he would master in a month. The emperor was very proud of his handsome, brilliant son.

Everyone in the kingdom was soon talking about the clever boy, and saying that, when he became an emperor, he would be as wise as King Solomon.

Yet, in spite of everything, Prince Handsome was always melancholy and deep in thought.

One fine day, when he was fifteen, the prince did not join in the merry-making feast. As the emperor and empress sat with all the boyars of the court, he stood up and said, "Father, the time has come for you to give me that which you promised at my birth." On hearing these words, the emperor grew very sad and said, "My son, how could I possibly give you such an unheard of thing?

If I made a promise, it was only to soothe you." "Father, if you cannot give me youth everlasting and life without end, I shall have to ransack the world and search for what you promised me when I was born." When he spoke, the boyars and the emperor fell on their knees, begging him not to leave the empire.

"Listen, Prince Handsome," the boyars said, "your father is now an old man and soon you shall succeed to his kingdom. We shall find you the finest princess under the sun to be your wife." But Prince Handsome would not listen, he was determined to go out into the world in search of youth everlasting and life without end.

The emperor, with tears in his eyes, ordered the servants to prepare for the journey, and blessed him.

Prince Handsome went to the royal stables to choose a fine horse for his travels. First one, then another was brought out for him to see, but as soon as he grabbed one by the reins, it would fall down.

Soon all the horses lay on the ground and the stables appeared empty. Glancing round, Prince Handsome saw an old horse in the corner. It was very thin, full of sores and looked a mere bag of bones, but, when he took it by the mane, the horse turned his head and said, "What is your wish, master ? Thank God for letting me live long enough to feel once more the touch of a brave man's hand." The old horse stiffened his legs and stood straight as a candle.

So Prince Handsome explained the journey he had to undertake and the horse replied, "In order to gain your quest, you must ask your father to give you the sword, lance, bow, quiver and the arrows - not forgetting the armour - he used as a young man. For six weeks you must tend me yourself, giving me barley which you have boiled in milk." So the prince asked his father for all the things the horse had spoken of, and the court servants were soon opening up long forgotten chests in search of the missing sword, lance, bow, quiver and armour. I t took them a long time and for three days Prince Handsome impatiently tossed aside old and rusty things that had been put away years before. At last he discovered his father's weapons and armour, but they were all very rusty . With his own hand, he cleaned every piece until they gleamed like a

 mirror .

He did not forget the old horse, giving him soft barley boiled in milk every day. At last everything was ready and Prince Handsome told the horse he could begin his travel.

The old horse shook himself, raised his head and gave a fine neigh at the same time all the sores fell from his sides and he appeared a strong shapely horse with four wings.

"In three days we are off," said Prince Handsome looking at him with admiration as he groomed the glossy coat.

"Bless you, master" said the horse "I am ready now if you want to go." On the morning of the third day all the court gathered to say farewell to the brave young prince. Like a warrior, Prince Handsome sat on his shining horse, sword in hand, and he waved farewell to his parents and all the courtiers who had come to bid him a safe journey.

Spurring his horse, he galloped off down the dusty road and was soon out of sight. Behind him, lumbering slowly, followed carts of food, money and clothes and some soldiers the emperor had sent to guard him.

As soon as the party reached the lands beyond his father's kingdom, Prince Handsome divided the money and food between the soldiers, and, bidding them all farewell, sent them back to the emperor, keeping for himself just as much food as his horse could carry.

Turning eastward, he rode on and on, for three days and three nights, until he reached a broad plain that was strewn with human bones .

For a while they rested, and the horse said, " Master, we are now in the land of the Woodpecker who is so evil that none steps on her domain and lives. Once she was a woman like any other, but the curse of her parents, whom she disobeyed, caused her to become a woodpecker. Today she is with her children, but tomorrow we'll meet her coming to destroy you, here, in this forest ahead of us."

"What can I do ?" asked Prince Handsome who knew his horse had magic powers. "Well, she is very big, but do not be frightened, just have your bow ready to shoot an arrow at her. Hold the sword and lance ready and use them at the right moment."

They slept in turns, one of them always watching for the Woodpecker .

At dawn next morning they were beginning to cross the forest.

Prince Handsome saddled the horse and they set off. They heard the sound of woodpecking, but such fearful woodpecking, the like of which they had not known !

"Be prepared, master," the horse said, "for here comes the woodpecker ." And she did come! She was so huge that trees fell as she touched them. And so fast did she move that, though the horse rose high into the air with his wings, hovering above her head, Prince Handsome knocked off one of her legs with his arrow and prepared to shoot another .

"Stop, Prince Handsome," she cried, "I do not mean to hurt you." Seeing that he did not trust her one little bit, she gave him a promise written in her own blood.

"Long live your horse, Prince Handsome," she cried. "He is endowed with magic powers, for, had it not been for him, I should have utterly destroyed you. As it is, you have destroyed me. No man has yet dared to cross the borders of my land. The few fools who tried did not reach beyond the plain you saw strewn with their bones." The Woodpecker then took Prince Handsome and his faithful horse to her home where she entertained the prince as an honoured wayfarer. While they were dining and drinking, the Woodpecker groaned with pain and Prince Handsome fetched her leg from his quiver. Soon he fixed it on and the Woodpecker was hale and hearty once more. She was so happy she kept up the feast for another three days and asked the prince to choose one of her daughters as his wife. They were all beautiful, but he would have none of them, and told the Woodpecker what he was really seeking.

She looked at him, then said, "With such a horse as yours, and your bravery, I trust you will succeed, though you have chosen a hard task." Three days later Prince Handsome and the horse set off once more on their journey. As he stepped over the Woodpecker's boundaries, he came upon a beautiful grassy plain that was covered with flowers, though one side was burnt.

"Why is the grass singed ?" he asked the horse.

"Because we are on the land of the Scorpion, the Woodpecker's sister. They are so wicked they cannot live together, and the curse of their parents turned them into animals, as you see them. But they hate each other. The enmity between them is fearsome for they want to steal each other's land. When the Scorpion is very angry, she belches forth fire and tar, and she has probably quarrelled with the Woodpecker and singed the grass on her way. Beware of her, for she is more wicked than the Woodpecker . She has three heads. We had best rest here, master, and be ready tomorrow at the break of day. "

So they slept in turns as before and next morning were making ready to continue their journey, when they heard such owling and blowing and hissing that their hearts turned cold.

"Be ready, master," said the horse, "for here comes the old .Scorpion in a great hurry."

 Mad with rage, the Scorpion came towards them belching forth fire and approaching at the speed of a wind-storm. Once more the horse rose up into the air, then quickly came down on one side of her. Prince Handsome shot an arrow and knocked off one of her three heads. As he took a second arrow, the Scorpion begged for mercy with tears in her eyes, swearing she would not hurt him, giving him a promise written in her own blood.

Then the Scorpion entertained the prince and his horse even more lavishly than the Woodpecker and he gave her back the head he had struck with his arrow. It was as good as new.

Three days later they were on their way. Mile after mile they journeyed until they came to a meadow that was full of flowers and where it was always springtime.

Every flower was really beautiful and gave forth such a sweet perfume that the scent went to one's head borne on the soft breeze.

Here Prince Handsome and his horse sat down to rest.

" Master," said the horse, "we have done well so tar, but there is one more trouble ahead. Great danger lies before us, but, with God's help, we shall win through." "What is this danger ?" asked the prince.

" A little way ahead there is a castle where lives youth everlasting and life without end - your quest. That place is surrounded by a thick tall forest, full of the most savage beasts ever found in the whole world. Day and night they watch, never sleeping one wink, and their number is great. Fighting them is out of the question and crossing the forest is more than man can accomplish. The best plan is to take a big jump over the forest." For two days and nights they rested, then began to prepare.

Sucking in a huge breath, the horse said, "Make the saddle-girth as tight as you can, master. Once in the saddle, hold fast, your feet in your stirrups, cling to my mane and keep your legs close to mine, out of the way when I soar upwards." In a minute they came close to the forest and hovered high above.

"Master, now is the time when the beasts of the forest are being fed and they are all gathered in the courtyard. Let us go through."

"Very well, then," said Prince Handsome, "and God be with us." Once more they climbed up into the air and saw the castle shining in the sunlight. The sun shone bright, but to their eyes the castle seemed brighter .

Over the forest they flew, and, just as they were about to descend on the steps of the castle, the horse scarcely touched the top of a tree, when the whole forest burst into life: the beasts howled and growled so that our heroes' hair stood on end. Quickly the two travelers landed in the courtyard where the lady of the castle was feeding her chickens. Seeing them, she sent the beasts back to the forest and welcomed the visitors. Prince Handsome bowed low before the beautiful tall fairy who stood before them. He had not seen such beauty.

"Welcome, Prince Handsome," she said softly, "what do you seek here?" "I seek youth everlasting and life without end," he replied, feasting his eyes on her ."Well, if that is what you seek, here it is," she said.

So he dismounted and entered the castle. Inside there were two more women, both young - the elder sisters of the first fairy.

Prince Handsome thanked the fairy for saving his life from the savage beasts, while the other fairies cooked him a fine meal. The horse was loosed to graze in the lush pasture. All the beasts were brought to be stroked, and Prince Handsome was amazed at their gentleness. Could they be the same?

"Stay with us," begged the fairies, "we are so tired of living here alone." And so Prince Handsome agreed and happily accepted. He had found his quest.

Time passed and he told them all his story. Soon he married the lovely, youngest fairy, and they were very happy. The fairies told him he could wander at will in all the neighbouring lands except one valley. If he went to the Vale of Tears, it would go ill with him.

Forgetful of time, he stayed there, not realizing the passing of the years. Care-free he would walk through the forest and delight in all the golden palaces, enjoying the beautiful flowers, the sweet pure air, and was very happy. Sometimes he would go shooting and one day he was after a hare. He shot an arrow which missed, so he tried another and another. Angry now, he shot a fourth arrow which hit the hare. In his excitement the prince had not noticed he had followed the hare into the Vale of Tears.

Picking up the hare, he turned back home when he was suddenly filled with longing for his mother and father. This made him very sad, but, though he said nothing the fairies knew his unhappiness.

"Oh, unhappy one," they said, "you have been to the Vale of Tears."

 "Yes, my dear ones," said Prince Handsome, "I did not intend to, and it was a foolish thing. Now, I pine with longing after my mother and father ." "Oh, do not leave us," they begged, "your parents have been dead for hundreds of years, and, if you go, you will never come back. Stay at our house for our hearts tell us that you will perish if you leave."

But all the pleadings of his wife and her sisters could not persuade Prince Handsome to stay and he determined to go home.

At last the horse said, "If you will not listen to me, master, you must take the blame, no matter what happens to you. Let me say one thing before I take you home."

"Very well," said Prince Handsome, "what is it ?"

" As soon as we reach your father's palace, I shall put you down. May I be free to return, should you wish to stay there, if only for an hour?"

 "Certainly ," said the prince.

So they made preparations for the journey and Prince Handsome kissed the fairies leaving them tearful and anxious. They reached the lands that had been the Scorpion's and found towns, the forests had been turned into fields. When the prince asked what had happened to the Scorpion, he was told their great-grandparents had believed in such foolishness.

"How can it be?" asked Prince Handsome, "only the other day, I passed through here." Everyone laughed at him as if he were mad, and he turned away, not noticing that his hair and beard had become snow-white.

He received the same answers in the lands of the Woodpecker.

Angry now, he did not see that his beard reached to his waist, his legs shook, and so he came to his father's empire.

As soon as he dismounted, the horse nuzzled him and said, "Farewell, master, for I am going back whence I came. If you will come, just vault into the saddle and let us go!"

"Nay, farewell, my old friend," said Prince Handsome, "I hope to return home soon."

Swift as an arrow, the horse was gone.

Prince Handsome saw his old home fallen into ruin and overgrown with weeds, and he hung his head and wept. He tried to remember his happy childhood and wandered round the broken stones, searching everywhere for something that would remind him of those far off days. The stables were crumbling and dusty, long empty now with cracked saddles hanging forlornly on rusty nails.

At last he found a broken chest and opened it. It was empty, but a weak voice called, "Welcome, old man, for I have waited long enough for you." Prince Handsome realized he was looking at death and that his time had come. Being tired of life now, he obeyed and so he passed away from this world.