Fairy tales for young and old ~ English version

Art of Deception

 Once upon a time, in the enchanting kingdom of Palletea, there was a quaint village nestled among rolling hills and lush forests. In this village lived a young woman named Calliope, whose talent for sculpting was unparalleled. She could transform rocks, clay, marble, and wood into lifelike masterpieces, each piece imbued with her passion and love for art. Her sculptures were so exquisite that they seemed to breathe, capturing the essence of life itself.

Calliope was engaged to Kaspar, the baker's son, a kind-hearted but easily swayed young man. Their future seemed bright until one fateful day when a cunning con artist named Vesper arrived in the village. Vesper, with his silver tongue and grandiose claims, began to perform absurd "art" shows that lacked any real talent or effort. He would fill buckets with sand and let them fall, calling it art. Another time, he tied random objects together with string and declared it a profound statement on the interconnectedness of life. Despite the lack of substance in his work, his persuasive words convinced the villagers that his performances were the pinnacle of artistic expression.

Vesper's influence grew, and soon the villagers, including Kaspar, began to mock Calliope's genuine talent. They dismissed her sculptures as mere trinkets compared to Vesper's so-called art. Heartbroken and feeling betrayed, Calliope decided to leave the village. She broke off her engagement with Kaspar and set out on her own, seeking solace in a secluded cottage deep within the woods on the other side of the kingdom.

In her new home, Calliope continued to pour her heart into her art, creating even more stunning sculptures. One day, as she was working on a particularly intricate piece, a man happened upon her cottage. This man was none other than Prince Dashiel, the heir to the throne of Palletea. Enchanted by Calliope's art, he asked her to come with him to the capital to create ornamental statues for his royal garden.

Calliope accepted the prince's invitation, and soon she found herself in a grand workshop within the palace. Prince Dashiel often visited her, captivated by her talent and the beauty of her creations. As they spent time together, Calliope shared her story with the prince, recounting the betrayal she had faced at the hands of Vesper and the villagers.

Moved by her tale, Prince Dashiel decided to take action. He sent his guards to watch Vesper and prevent him from entering the capital. Under Calliope's skilled hands, the royal garden transformed into one of the most beautiful places in the world, filled with sculptures that seemed to come alive.

As time passed, a deep bond formed between Calliope and Prince Dashiel, blossoming into love. Just as their happiness seemed complete, Kaspar arrived at the palace, looking destitute and desperate. He explained that Vesper had taken all their money and had even stolen or destroyed many things in the village, calling it "art." The village was now desolate, and Vesper had vanished without a trace.

Kaspar begged Calliope for forgiveness, but the wounds of his betrayal were too deep. She could not forget how he had denied her art and mocked her talent. Prince Dashiel, seeing the pain in Calliope's eyes, promised to send his men to search for Vesper and bring him to justice. However, he ordered Kaspar to leave and never seek Calliope again.

Now certain nobody from the village would come for her, Calliope and Prince Dashiel's love continued to grow. They married in a grand ceremony, and Calliope's art became renowned throughout the kingdom. Her story served as a powerful lesson to all: true art comes from the heart, and genuine talent will always shine through, no matter the obstacles.

And so, Calliope and Prince Dashiel lived happily ever after, their love and art inspiring generations to come.