Once upon a time there lived a prince in the world.
Well, so what, you might say? Many fairy tales begin this way!
But this prince had dreamed with all his heart since childhood of becoming a hero, fighting a dragon, and saving a princess. But... HE WAS AFRAID OF HORSES! And what kind of 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, and 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, do you? 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: it's time to become heroes!
Chapter 1. Bandits
So the two friends set out under cover of night, without telling anyone, to meet adventure. Their path led to a dark forest. The donkey had made inquiries: there really were bandits there, and a princess had also gone missing in the forest. By around noon, the friends spotted a small cottage.
There it is, the bandits' lair! The princess must be 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: bearded men with baskets of raspberries appeared before him.
Who are you? Gnomes or something?
They're too big to be gnomes, the donkey noted.
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 have to save us from the princess!
Then someone nudged the man, and he corrected himself:
I meant to say, save the princess from us!
Why save her? Are you really DANGEROUS bandits? the prince asked in surprise.
What, can't you tell?
You look more like overgrown gnomes, 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,—she's threatening to shave our treasure today...
Who is she?
Before the bandits could answer, a deep voice came from the cottage:
Now march home, lunch is ready!
Who is 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 feel like it, the prince said stubbornly.
He managed to peek out of hiding and noticed that the princess was quite large: even the bandits looked like little gnomes 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, good man, we'll give you treasure as a dowry!
No-no-no, don't even try to convince me, this is some kind of wrong princess.
And you're a wrong prince too: instead of a horse—a donkey!
But actually, they're right, the donkey noted.
Listen, donkey, whose friend are you anyway? No, I can't help you with this rescue, 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 continued on their search for 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, dear, when she turned fifteen, she fell asleep! She's seventy this year.
Is she beautiful? the prince asked.
Of course! You won't find anyone sweeter in the whole world! I even have a photo of her, look, 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 said stubbornly,—why hasn't anyone woken her before? And the age bothers me...
But then the old woman interrupted:
Do you think no one has tried? Of course they have! It's just that only a kiss of true love can wake the princess, and no one has managed it yet!
Well, you see! the prince was delighted.
Something still bothers me about this story, it all seems too simple.
You're too suspicious for a donkey. Well, that's enough, my bride is waiting for me!
I wouldn't be so happy too soon, the donkey muttered quietly, 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 sleeping? the prince asked incoherently.
A suitor, is it? Well, come in! Elinochka, 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 realized that his friend the donkey had good reason to be bothered by the age: before him lay a grandmother. The witch was quite the prankster and joker. Her spell added a day to her age, like an ordinary person.
Unlike the spell on the famous Sleeping Beauty, which preserved youth and beauty.
Well, go ahead and kiss her! You're in love, aren't you! the donkey began to tease.
Well, it doesn't feel right—she's old enough to be my grandmother.
How can you say that! the old man protested.—"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 asked in surprise,—if you love her so much?
In any case, this story also ended well. A kiss of true love 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 gladly 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 inquiries... 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, the prince began to suspect 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 feat ahead, friend!
What kind of friend are you if you decided to trick me!
Alright-alright, I'm doing this for you, don't be angry. Once we defeat the dragon...
A dragon???
Well 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 and drew 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'm 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... By the way, who are you anyway?
In short, the dragon turned out to be not a dragon, but a lady dragon, and a very kind 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 talk 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 become famous!
We'll see, smiled the dragon Vanessa,—we'll see.
The wedding was absolutely wonderful. And as a parting gift, when the newlyweds were about to fly off to the sea for their honeymoon, the dragon Vanessa turned to the prince:
Could you please escort Milochka home? The road goes through the forest, I brought her here on my wings through the air, and now she needs to get back alone. I'm worried, but if she's with you, I'll feel better.
Yes-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 categorically 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.
Ooo-ooo-ooo! came from nearby.
Let's go, faster! said the frightened donkey.
I agree with him, the princess said anxiously.
Ooo-ooo-ooo! It hurts so much!
The prince stopped and went towards the sound of the howling.
Hey, where are you going? the donkey asked.
Someone needs help!
Are you crazy? 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 the way he first seemed to her.
The prince saw a huge wolf on the clearing. It was sitting and crying like a child.
Is everything alright with you? the prince wasn't afraid at all, he felt sorry for the huge wolf.
My paw. Ooo-ooo-ooo...
Only now did the prince see the huge splinter sticking out of the wolf's paw.
I'll pull it out on the count of three!
Ooo-ooo-ooo! Be careful!
ONE, TWO, THREE!
Ooo-ooo-ooo! Thank you, friend, thank you!
Very soon our company was already at the palace, and the princess suddenly realized that the prince was a true hero—kind, brave, courageous... But that's a completely different story!
Read Part 2: Mischievous Fairy Tale. Continuation
