Royal Trip To The Magic Land
A certain king had a daughter and the king announced that whoever can excel in a number of tests would marry her. A number of youths responded. Among them was Chung. No doubt, he came dressed simply while other candidates wore glittering garments. King was not happy to see Chung. But it so happened that while the other candidates did not succeed in passing all the tests Chung came out with flying colours. All the judges were of the opinion that Chung was the best bridegroom. But the king did not agree with the judges. At once the judges were unanimous in the opinion that Chung was the most unfit of all the candidates. Chung was asked to leave the court. "What about my marrying the princess since I have excelled all in all the tests?" "You wish to marry the princess, eh? Why don't you aspire to marry a fairy?" said the courtiers sarcastically. Chung walked into the nearby forest, to hide his face from the neighbours. It was a moonlit night. Suddenly a sweet song greeted him. He looked here and there and saw a damsel standing on a small bridge and singing. Chung gazed at her, speechless, for she was beautiful beyond description. After some time the damsel looked at Chung and smiled. Chung gathered courage and asked, "Are you a fairy?" "I am," replied the damsel. Chung laughed. "Why did you laugh?" asked the fairy. "That will amuse you. A little while ago I was told that I could look forward to marrying a fairy! Of course, those who said so laughed at me!"
The damsel blushed. That encouraged Chung. "I wonder if a human being, that too a poor young man like me, can ever dream of marrying a fairy!" "Why not!" croodled the fairy. Chung felt as if his heart would burst with delight. He led the fairy to his home. The priest was woken up from his sleep; so were his friends. Chung and the fairy were married even as the princess was marrying a good for nothing nobleman. Next day news reached the king that Chung had indeed married a fairy. There was a great surprise in the court. The king grew eager to see the fairy. He sent a message to Chung saying that Chung was to be made a courtier. Well, to be a courtier was a great honour. One could look forward to regular monthly allowance without doing anything except nodding at whatever the king uttered. But custom demanded that when Chung should go to receive the honour he should place some valuable gifts before the throne. "Go to the seashore. You will find a chest thrown over to the land by the waves. Bring it home," the fairy advised Chung. Chung returned with the box before long. He did not seem very hopeful because the chest was old and damaged. But his wife received it with great care and opened its lid. "Peep in," she said. Peeping into the box, Chung was amazed. He could see a strange land opening up before him, a land with golden towers, wonderful gardens and beautiful lakes. "Go in and pick up something valuable. Nobody would ask for a price," said the fairy.