Once upon a time there was a prince in the world.
Well, so what, you might say? Many fairy tales start like that!
But this prince had dreamed since childhood with all his heart of becoming a hero, fighting a dragon, and saving a princess. But... HE WAS AFRAID OF HORSES! And what knight doesn't have a fast horse?
He didn't go hunting with his father and friends: besides being afraid of horses, the prince was too kind and loved all the little animals. So it turned out that his best friend became... a donkey, but not an ordinary one—a talking donkey.
Time passed, the prince and the little donkey grew up, and the dream of becoming a hero grew stronger.
So what's stopping us from achieving our dream? the donkey asked one day.
Us?
Well, you don't think I'd let you go alone? I'll be your loyal horse! If there are bandits or, say, a dragon, I'll kick with my hooves—bam, and everyone's knocked out!
You read too many stories about bandits, the prince remarked. A loyal horse! Can you imagine! You're suggesting I ride on you?
Are you crazy! A prince on a donkey—can you imagine! I meant to say that I'm your loyal companion!
Alright, alright, you're right: time to become heroes!
Chapter 1. The Bandits
So the two friends set off under cover of night, without telling anyone, to meet adventure. Their path led to a dark forest. The donkey had made enquiries: indeed, there were bandits there, and a princess had also gone missing in the forest. By around midday, the friends spotted a small cottage.
There it is, the bandits' lair! The princess must be in there! the donkey guessed.
But the prince didn't have time to answer because he noticed someone in the raspberry bushes. He gestured to the donkey to go around the other side, hoping to attack by surprise.
Aha, caught you! Surrender... the prince didn't finish: before him appeared bearded men with baskets of raspberries in their hands.
Who are you? Dwarves or something?
They're too big to be dwarves, the donkey remarked.
Bandits, the men sighed.
You're joking? the prince didn't believe it: the men had baskets, wore colourful suits and bow ties. Only their beards spoiled the look.
And who are you? asked one man with a bandage on his face, apparently the leader.
A prince!
A prince? Really? Wait, where's your horse? Though that doesn't matter, a donkey will do! You need to save us from the princess!
Then someone nudged the man in the ribs, and he corrected himself:
I meant, save the princess from us!
Save her from what? Are you really DANGEROUS bandits? the prince was surprised.
What, can't you tell?
You look more like overgrown dwarves, and besides, those beards don't suit you—they ruin the whole look of your suits, the donkey remarked.
That's exactly what she says, the bandits sighed,—threatens to shave off our treasure today...
Who is she?
Before the bandits could answer, a deep voice came from the cottage:
Come on, get home, lunch is ready!
Who's that? the prince whispered.
The princess! the bandits answered, almost in tears. Go on, save her! She's been living with us for a month now, waiting for a prince, and won't leave!
How perfectly it works out! Go on, save her! the donkey encouraged.
I don't really want to, the prince was stubborn.
He managed to peek out of hiding, noticing that the princess was quite large: even the bandits looked like little dwarves next to her.
I'm afraid of her, the prince said even more quietly.
So are we, the bandits sighed,—we wear suits, eat semolina porridge, bah... And today she wants to cut our hair! Help us, kind sir, we'll give you treasure as a dowry!
No-no-no, don't even try to persuade me, this is some kind of wrong princess.
And you're a wrong prince too: instead of a horse—a donkey!
But actually, they have a point, the donkey remarked.
Listen, donkey, whose side are you on anyway? No, I can't help you save her, but I know who can. We met a woodcutter on the road—wouldn't he make a good husband?
Will he agree?
Let's ask and find out.
So this story ended well too: the woodcutter and the princess live happily in their own home, and the bandits in theirs. True, sometimes the princess visits her charges, so they had to give up banditry. But that's a completely different story...
And the prince and donkey set off again in search of a "proper" princess and adventures.
Chapter 2. The Sleeping Princess
The loyal friends had already reached a neighbouring kingdom, where they learned from an old woman at the market about a sleeping princess.
And how long has she been sleeping? the donkey asked.
Oh, my dear, when she turned fifteen, she fell asleep! She's seventy this year.
Is she beautiful? the prince asked.
Oh yes! You won't find anyone sweeter in the whole world! I even have a photo of her, look, my dear!
And the old woman laid out little calendars with a charming blonde girl drawn on them.
I think I'm already in love! Show us the way to this angel, dear old woman!
Wait a minute, something seems too easy, the donkey was stubborn,—why hasn't anyone woken her before? And her age bothers me...
But the old woman interrupted:
Do you think no one has tried? Not at all! It's just that only a true love's kiss can wake the princess, and no one has managed it yet!
Well, you see! the prince was delighted.
Something about this story still bothers me, it all seems too easy.
You're too anxious for a donkey. That's enough, my bride is waiting for me!
I wouldn't be so happy just yet, the donkey muttered, following the prince down the road to the castle.
The garden near the castle, and the castle itself, didn't look abandoned: it was clear that someone lived here.
You see, they've already kissed the princess, I told you: there's something fishy about this whole story! A fairy tale for the capital's guests, the donkey grumbled.
But the prince was already boldly knocking on the castle gates. An old man opened the door:
Who are you?
We were told that... Is the princess still asleep? the prince asked incoherently.
A suitor, is it? Well, come in! Elina, maybe this one will help you wake up, you just keep sleeping and sleeping, the old man sighed.
But when the prince entered the room, he suddenly realised that his friend the donkey had good reason to be troubled by the age: before him lay an old woman. The witch was quite the troublemaker and joker. Her spell added a day's age every day, like an ordinary person.
Unlike the spell on the famous Sleeping Beauty, which preserved youth and beauty.
Well, go on, kiss her! You're in love! the donkey began to tease.
Yes, but it doesn't feel right—she could be my grandmother.
How could you! the old man interrupted.—"Grandmother!" She's the most beautiful and kind princess in the world! When she sang, the birds would freeze.
If you like her so much, why don't you kiss her yourself?
Me? But I'm not a prince!
The old man had known the princess since childhood. And when she fell asleep, many left the castle. But he stayed to keep order and wait for his dear friend to wake up.
And what? Does that really matter, the donkey was surprised,—if you love her so much?
In short, this story also ended well. True love's kiss woke the princess and even transformed her. The old man and his beloved became much younger and were already preparing for a grand wedding, to which the prince and donkey happily accepted an invitation. But there's a time for work and a time for play. And our heroes were on their way again.
Chapter 3. Finally, a Dragon!
This time I've made enquiries... the donkey began to say.
Maybe that's enough? the prince interrupted.—Nothing works out, I'm just not a hero, that's all there is to it.
But just listen...
Home, donkey, home!
Alright, let's visit my sister, and then back.
But when they found themselves near a huge cave, it seemed to the prince that the donkey was up to something again.
Your sister really lives here?
Of course, all donkeys live in caves! Didn't you know? the donkey answered calmly. But as soon as they entered—ha-ha, of course not! We have a new quest, friend!
What kind of friend are you if you've decided to trick me!
Alright, alright, I'm doing it for you, don't be angry. Once we defeat the dragon...
A dragon???
Yes, there's a dragon, we'll save the princess, and that's it!
The poor prince didn't have time to answer when a gentle voice sounded nearby:
Who are you?
It was a princess, yes indeed, and so beautiful that the prince and donkey froze. All words seemed to hang in the air, but then a loud roar sounded: a huge DRAGON was rushing towards them!
Don't be afraid, dear princess, I will save you!
The prince shielded the girl, drawing his sword. The princess wanted to say something, but the prince, gathering courage, continued:
Let this be my last battle, but the monster won't touch you!
Monster? the dragon suddenly roared and unexpectedly burst into tears.—Mila, I told you I was ugly...
Don't listen to them, Vanessa, you're the most beautiful! You'll be the most beautiful bride!
Bride? the prince was confused.
The princess looked at him angrily and repeated:
Bride! We're preparing for a wedding, my best friend is marrying a handsome dragon, and you... Who are you anyway?
In short, the dragon turned out not to be a dragon, but a lady dragon, and a very charming one at that. The prince and donkey received an invitation to stay.
Why did you invite them? the princess was angry. The girl didn't speak to the prince, and he looked at her secretly and sighed.
I think the prince isn't so bad, look how he rushed to protect you!
Just as much of a show-off as everyone else! He just wants to be famous!
We'll see, smiled dragon Vanessa,—we'll see.
The wedding was absolutely wonderful. And as a farewell, when the newlyweds were about to fly off to the sea for their honeymoon, dragon Vanessa turned to the prince:
Could you see Mila home? The road goes through the forest, I brought her here on my wings by air, and now she needs to get back alone. I'm worried, but if she's with you, I'll feel better.
Yes, of course! the prince beamed, he was happy, he no longer needed fame. But he had truly fallen in love with the princess.
The princess was firmly against it, but she had to stay silent so as not to upset her friend. So they walked along the forest path in silence, except for the donkey, who hummed children's songs.
Ow-ow-ow! came from somewhere very close.
Let's go, faster! said the frightened donkey.
I agree with him, the princess said anxiously.
Ow-ow-ow! It hurts so much!
The prince stopped and went towards the sound of the howling.
Hey, where are you going? asked the donkey.
Someone needs help!
Are you mad? You don't know what's there! GO BACK! the donkey was truly frightened.
The princess stood silently nearby. Yes, she was scared, but on the other hand, she suddenly saw that the prince wasn't what he'd seemed at first.
The prince saw a huge wolf on the clearing. It was sitting and crying like a child.
Are you alright? the prince wasn't afraid at all, he felt sorry for the huge wolf.
My paw. Ow-ow-ow...
Only now did the prince see a huge splinter sticking out of the wolf's paw.
I'll pull it out on the count of three!
Ow-ow-ow! Be careful!
ONE, TWO, THREE!
Ow-ow-ow! Thank you, friend, thank you!
Very soon our company was already at the palace, and the princess suddenly realised that the prince was a true hero—kind, brave, courageous... But that's a completely different story!
Read Part 2: A Cheeky Fairy Tale. Continuation
