Once upon a time there was a prince in the world.
Well, so what, you might say? Many fairy tales start like this!
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 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 far 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! Are you suggesting I ride on you?
Have you lost your mind! A prince on a donkey, can you imagine! I meant to say that I'm your loyal companion!
All right, all right, 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 enquiries: indeed, there were bandits there, and a princess had also gone missing in the forest. By midday, 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, as he noticed someone in the raspberry bushes. He gestured to the donkey to come from 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.
And who are you? Dwarves, or something?
They're too big to be dwarves, 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 patch over 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 must save us from the princess!
Then one of the men was nudged in the side and corrected himself:
I meant to say, 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 oversized 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,—she's threatening to shave our treasure today...
Who is she?
Before the bandits could answer, a deep voice came from the direction of the cottage:
Now come 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 she won't leave!
How perfectly it all works out! Go on, save her! the donkey encouraged him.
I don't really feel like it, the prince was stubborn.
He managed to peek out of hiding and noticed 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, baa-aa... 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 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 noted.
Listen, donkey, whose friend are you 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, the princess sometimes visits her charges, so they had to give up banditry. But that's quite another story...
And the prince and donkey set off again in search of the "right" 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, she fell asleep when she turned fifteen! She's seventy this year.
Is she beautiful? the prince asked.
Indeed! 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 small calendars on which was drawn a charming fair-haired girl.
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? Yes, and her age troubles me...
But then the old woman intervened:
Do you think no one has tried? No indeed! Only 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 troubles me, it all seems too simple.
You're far too anxious for a donkey. Well, that's enough, my bride is waiting for me!
I wouldn't be so happy just yet, 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 there.
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! 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 realised why his donkey friend had been troubled by the age: before him lay an old woman. The witch was quite the prankster. Her spell added a day to her age just like an ordinary person.
Unlike the spell on the famous Sleeping Beauty, which preserved youth and beauty.
Well, go on, kiss her! You said you were in love! the donkey began to tease.
Yes, but it doesn't feel right—she's old enough to be my grandmother.
How could you! 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 matter, the donkey was surprised,—if you love her so much?
In any case, 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, an invitation to which the prince and donkey gladly accepted. But business before pleasure. 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 not a hero, that's all there is to it.
But just listen...
Home, donkey, home!
All right, let's visit my sister, and then back.
But when they came to 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 of us, friend!
What kind of friend are you if you've decided to deceive me!
All right, all right, I'm doing this 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 came a loud roar: 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!
A 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!
A bride? the prince was confused.
The princess looked at him angrily and repeated:
A bride! We're preparing for a wedding, my best friend is marrying a handsome dragon, and you... Besides, who are you anyway?
In short, the dragon turned out not to be 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 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!
He's a show-off like all of them! He just wants to be 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 see Milochka home? The road goes through the forest, I brought her here on my wings through the air, but 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 keep quiet so as not to upset her friend. So they walked along the forest path in silence, except for the donkey, who was humming children's songs.
Ow-ow-ow! came from nearby.
Let's go, faster! said the frightened donkey.
I agree with him, the princess said anxiously.
Ow-ow-ow! It hurts so!
The prince stopped and went towards the sound of the howling.
Hey, where are you going? the donkey asked.
Someone needs help!
Have you gone 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 had seemed at first.
The prince saw a huge wolf on the clearing. It was sitting and crying like a child.
Is everything all right with you? 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 quite another story!
Read Part 2: Mischievous Fairy Tale. Continuation
