Grandpa Long Long Beard
In days gone by, an unusual sound came forth from the forest glade. A handsome knight who was passing by stood stunned for a moment, then suddenly saw in front of him a charming sight. He hid behind a thicket and looked on intently. Under the great Oak and around a cackling fire danced and frolicked a host of gleeful children. They were, in fact, waiting for Grandpa Long Long Beard. Who was he? Whence did he come? No one knew, but the children loved him and he loved them, too. Crick crack, Crickety Crack! sang the wooden shoes of Grandpa Long Long Beard. He appeared, back slightly bent under a large bag, a parrot perched on his shoulder, and his soft snow-white beard flowing down to his toes. "Good morning, my sweet little cherubs," he gently greeted them and the parrot repeated after him. "Good morning, Grandpa. What're you going to tell us today?" asked the children in a musical voice.
"Ah! I've important news for you," he replied, distributing presents and cookies of nuts and honey from his bag. "The two kingdoms bordering this forest are making war on each other," continued the old man. "But alas! the good king, with a daughter as beautiful as the spring day, will always be defeated." "Why?" interrupted the parrot who, too, was listening with interest. "Just because his army cannot cross the deep winding river. For, there is no bridge over it," replied his master. "What'll happen to the beautiful princess, then?" asked a wee girl, betraying great anxiety. "The wicked king will take her to his land and marry her off to his son," said the old man. "Is there no way out to save the good king?" enquired a smart little lad. "There is, yet there is not. For, The twig of the Cedar tree, Not very far from you and me, Shall form a bridge placed on water, The army then can cross thereafter, But whosoever lets this truth out, Shall turn to stone before he can shout." The young knight, who was from the land of the good king, had heard enough. He found the Cedar tree without any difficulty and, breaking a twig, made his way to the palace. "Your Majesty, at nightfall I will build a bridge across the river. Please do not ask me anything further," said the young man.
"If you accomplish what you say," replied the king, "you shall be aptly rewarded." As soon as the knight placed the twig on the water, it expanded and formed a bridge across the river. The next day, the king's army crossed over to the other side. They took the enemy by surprise and defeated them. But within a few days, the enemy regained strength and won a victory. The young man went to the great Oak and saw the children playing around the fire. He waited, concealed by thick shrub. Crick Crack, Crickety Crack. Grandpa Long Long Beard made his appearance. "What interesting tidings do you bring us today?" asked the children excitedly. "Yes, I do have some news for you. I'll tell you. But, mind you, never repeat it aloud once you've heard it. The good king did manage to build a bridge with the help of the knight who heard my words the other day. But the enemy has again gained an advantage. "Yet, there is a huge Fig tree, Not very far from you and me. The powdered figs when thrown on eyes, Shall drive away the bad bad guys, But whosoever lets this truth out, Shall turn to stone before he can shout." The knight found the Fig tree without any trouble. He gathered some fruit and powdered them under a rock. Then, going to the king, he said, "My Lord, do not be disheartened. Challenge the enemy tomorrow. Instruct the army to execute the attack along with the flow of the wind. Put me in the first rank and the day shall be ours." The king was happy that there was such a brave man in his realm. He consented to the knight's proposal and promised him a greater reward if he succeeded in his task.
There was a fierce battle the following day. The young man spread the powdered figs in the air. Black clouds formed as though by magic and blinded the enemy without even bursting into a shower. Many fought bravely but fell to the sword of the knight and his men. Others fled. The wicked king was forced to surrender. The king, overjoyed at the young man's achievements, embraced him and said, "What other worthy reward do you deserve but the hand of my daughter? You're daring and noble." Awaiting the day fixed for the marriage, the young man often took long walks with the princess in the sprawling palace gardens. One day, she asked him, "Tell me, dear, how could you construct a bridge across the river in a single night? And what is that magical substance that drove away the enemy?" The knight, who had by now forgotten the ominous warning, told the princess all about the strange happenings in the forest. Alas, no sooner had he reached the end of the story than he turned into a statue of stone, the delicate princess gave a frightful cry and one of the king's nobles, who happened to be nearby, rushed to her side. "What has befallen our gallant knight?" he asked the princess. Recovering from her shock, the princess related in every detail what she had just gathered. Scarcely had she ended her story than she, too, was transformed into stone.