Fairy tales for young and old ~ English version

The Parrot's Secret

Once upon a time, in the age when the world was still a tapestry of uncharted waters and unclaimed lands, there sailed a pirate whose name echoed like thunder across the Seven Seas. Elrad 'The Disfigured', captain of the fearsome vessel The Siren's Wail, was a legend, his face a scarred map of his dark past, and his deeds as tumultuous as the stormy seas he conquered.

His only confidant amidst the solitude of command was Mistral, a parrot of such resplendent hues that he seemed plucked from the very rainbow that followed the tempest. But Mistral was more than he appeared; he was Prince Mistral, heir to the throne of the lost kingdom of Eolande, ensnared by a sorcerer's curse that only acts of pure kindness could shatter—a challenge that seemed insurmountable for a man like Elrad.

Elrad's encounter with Mistral was as fateful as it was fortuitous. It was on a day when the sky was a canvas of brooding clouds, and the sea whispered secrets of a storm to come. The pirate crew had just set anchor near a lush, uncharted island, its dense jungle promising treasures untold. It was there, amidst the emerald foliage, that Elrad stumbled upon Mistral.

The parrot lay injured, a wing bent at an unnatural angle, his vibrant feathers dulled by pain. Elrad, whose life was a testament to survival against all odds, saw not a creature in need of pity, but a potential symbol of his own indomitable spirit. A parrot, especially one as exotic as Mistral, would be the perfect companion to echo his fearsome reputation. With a gruff tenderness that surprised even himself, Elrad scooped the bird into his arms and returned to his ship.

As days turned to weeks, Mistral's presence became as much a part of The Siren's Wail as the creaking wood and the salty air. The crew grew fond of the parrot's colorful antics, and even Elrad found solace in the bird's silent company. Yet, Mistral's secret weighed heavily upon him. The spell that bound his tongue was as ironclad as the curse that stole his human form. He could not speak of his true identity, nor of the acts of kindness that would set him free.

Mistral, ever the astute prince, knew that to incite change in a man like Elrad would require cunning and subtlety. He began to influence the pirate's decisions with careful nudges—a squawk here, a flutter there—guiding Elrad towards situations that would challenge his hardened nature.

The first act of kindness came when Mistral feigned illness, prompting Elrad to seek a rare medicinal herb known to cure any ailments. Elrad, though he would never admit it, had grown fond of the parrot's company. The thought of losing Mistral stirred an unfamiliar sense of urgency within him. Commanding his crew to set sail for the Isle of Holan, Elrad's ship cut through the waves like a blade, driven by the winds of fate and a growing compassion he had yet to fully understand.

Upon their arrival, they found not the untouched paradise of legend, but a village in the throes of an epidemic. The villagers, once vibrant and full of life, now lay listless, their bodies ravaged by an unseen foe. The sight that befell Elrad's eyes was a mirror to the suffering he had once inflicted upon countless others, and it shook him to his core.

Guided by Mistral's subtle cues, Elrad and his crew ventured into the heart of the island, where the herb, known as the Breath of Eolande, bloomed beneath the canopy of weeping willows. Its petals glowed with a soft luminescence, and its scent was a balm to the soul. They gathered the herbs, more than enough to cure Mistral and then some.

As they prepared to leave, Elrad's gaze fell upon the villagers once more. In their eyes, he saw not the fear of the pirate he was, but the hope for the savior he could be. With a gruff command that betrayed the turmoil within, Elrad ordered his men to distribute the remaining Breath of Eolande among the sick.

The act of kindness was a simple one, yet it rippled through the hearts of all who witnessed it. The villagers, once resigned to their fate, found strength in Elrad's unexpected mercy. As the herbs took effect, health returned to the young and old alike, and the village that had been shrouded in despair now buzzed with renewed life.