VINTAGE TALES FROM AROUND THE WORLD

THE MAGICIAN HORSE'S (Lithuania 🇱🇹)

Lithuania, country of northeastern Europe, the southernmost and largest of the three Baltic states. Lithuania was a powerful empire that dominated much of eastern Europe in the 14th–16th centuries before becoming part of the Polish-Lithuanian confederation for the next two centuries

Lithuanian folktales are a precious and varied part of Lithuania's cultural heritage. They have been passed down orally from generation to generation and reflect the beliefs, values, and traditions of Lithuanian people.

These tales often include mythical creatures like giants, witches, and dragons, as well as stories about brave heroes, clever peasants, and beautiful princesses. Many of these stories have a moral or educational message, teaching lessons about honesty, kindness, and perseverance.

Lithuanian folktales have been collected and published in multiple anthologies both in Lithuania and abroad. They continue to be enjoyed by people of all ages and provide an invaluable glimpse into Lithuanian culture and history.

In summary, Lithuanian folktales offer a fascinating insight into the beliefs, values, and traditions of Lithuanian people. They are enjoyed by people of all ages and provide a valuable window into Lithuanian culture and history.

Let's read;

Once upon a time, there was a king who had three sons. Now it happened that one day the three princes went out hunting in a large forest at some distance from their father’s palace, and the youngest prince lost his way, so his brothers had to return home without him.

For four days the prince wandered through the glades of the forest, sleeping on moss beneath the stars at night, and by day living on roots and wild berries. At last, on the morning of the fifth day, he came to a large open space in the middle of the forest, and here stood a stately palace; but neither within nor without was there a trace of human life. The prince entered the open door and wandered through the deserted rooms without seeing a living soul. At last, he came to a great hall, and in the center of the hall was a table spread with dainty dishes and choice wines. The prince sat down and satisfied his hunger and thirst, and immediately afterward the table disappeared from his sight. This struck the prince as very strange; but though he continued his search through all the rooms, upstairs and down, he could find no one to speak to. At last, just as it was beginning to get dark, he heard steps in the distance and he saw an old man coming towards him up the stairs.

‘What are you doing wandering about my castle?’ asked the old man.

To whom the prince replied: ‘I lost my way hunting in the forest. If you will take me into your service, I should like to stay with you, and will serve you faithfully.’

‘Very well,’ said the old man. ‘You may enter my service. You will have to keep the stove always lit, you will have to fetch the wood for it from the forest, and you will have the charge of the black horse in the stables. I will pay you a florin a day, and at meal times you will always find the table in the hall spread with food and wine, and you can eat and drink as much as you require.’

The prince was satisfied, and he entered the old man’s service and promised to see that there was always wood on the stove, so that the fire should never die out. Now, though he did not know it, his new master was a magician, and the flame of the stove was a magic fire, and if it had gone out the magician would have lost a great part of his power.

One day the prince forgot, and let the fire burn so low that it very nearly burnt out. Just as the flame was flickering the old man stormed into the room.

‘What do you mean by letting the fire burn so low?’ he growled. ‘I have only arrived in the nick of time.’ And while the prince hastily threw a log on the stove and blew on the ashes to kindle a glow, his master gave him a severe box on the ear and warned him that if ever it happened again it would fare badly with him.