Fairy tales for young and old ~ English version

The Silent Songbird

(Storytober - Day 19 - Voice)

In a faraway kingdom, nestled between rolling hills and whispering woods, a decree had fallen like a shadow upon the land: music was forbidden. This solemn command had been issued by the king, whose heart was heavy with sorrow. The queen, once a beacon of joy, had succumbed to a great illness, her spirit fading like a wilting flower. The music that had once filled their halls now lingered only in whispered memories, for the king believed that the melodies might deepen the queen's despair and hasten her decline.

Among the silent citizens lived a gentle young man named Marion. His heart brimmed with kindness, and his eyes sparkled like the morning dew. But Marion harbored a secret that could shatter the oppressive silence—a magical voice that could heal wounds, lift spirits, and fill the air with joy. He had inherited this gift from his mother, a renowned minstrel who had sung sweetly of love and laughter. When the king had decreed music a crime, Marion had vowed to keep his gift hidden.

Each day, he wandered through the dense woods, where the trees swayed in the gentle breeze and the creatures sang their own songs. He would find a quiet glade, a hidden sanctuary where the world could not hear him. There, he would sing softly, his voice weaving through the leaves, blending with the rustling of branches and the soft burbling of streams.

One fateful day, as Marion sang a tender lullaby, a soft rustle caught his attention. From the shadows, a small, plump sparrow appeared, its feathers ruffled and its eyes wide. "Why do you sing alone, dear boy?" chirped the little bird, its voice trembling with curiosity.

"I sing for joy, but my voice must remain hidden," Marion replied, glancing around as if the trees might overhear. "Music is forbidden in our kingdom."

The sparrow fluffed its feathers, as if to shake off the weight of the world. "But music is life! It heals the heart and mends the soul. Do not let fear silence your gift!"

Marion smiled softly but felt a pang in his heart. He longed to share his music with the world, yet the fear of punishment loomed over him like a storm cloud.

Days turned into weeks, and the queen's health continued to decline. The once-bustling palace, now shrouded in gloom, echoed the kingdom's sorrow. Whispers filled the air—would the queen survive? One evening, as twilight draped the kingdom in shadows, Marion felt a heavy sadness settle over him. He had overheard hushed voices in the market discussing the queen's worsening condition. Determination flared within him. He knew he could help her, but the king's decree forbidding music loomed over his every thought.

Under the cover of night, he crept toward the palace grounds, the towering walls casting long shadows. The guards patrolled the perimeter, their stern faces carved with weariness. Heart pounding, Marion slipped through a gap in the hedge and made his way to the back entrance. Once inside, he moved swiftly, navigating the dimly lit corridors, his feet light as a whisper.

As he neared the queen's chamber, the thundering of footsteps echoed down the hall. "You there! Stop!" a guard bellowed, spotting him. But Marion surged forward, driven by the urgency in his heart. He threw open the chamber doors and rushed inside, his eyes finding the queen lying motionless in her bed, her skin as pale as moonlight.

The guards stormed in after him, their boots hammering against the stone floor. "Stop him!" one shouted, reaching for Marion's shoulder, but Marion had already begun to sing, his voice trembling at first, then growing stronger. "Oh, sweet queen, hear my song, for in its embrace, you belong!"

The guards seized his arms, trying to drag him back, but Marion twisted free, his voice rising as he fought to stay near the queen. "No! Let me sing!" he cried, pouring every bit of his soul into the melody, hoping against hope that the music would reach her. The air seemed to shimmer with warmth, but still, the queen did not stir.

The king himself appeared in the doorway, his face pale with grief and anger. "Arrest him!" he commanded, his voice booming. "Music is forbidden in this kingdom!"

A guard struck Marion across the face, and pain flashed through him, but he did not falter. He sang through the ache, his voice breaking and mending again, weaving the magic of his gift into every note. The guards wrestled with him, trying to silence his song, yet he refused to be stilled. Even as they pinned his arms, he strained against them, the melody flowing from him like a river breaking free from a dam.

Just as his strength began to fade, a soft voice pierced the chaos. "Stop," the queen murmured, her voice weak but unmistakably clear. The guards froze, releasing their grip, and Marion stumbled forward, catching himself on the edge of the bed.

The queen's eyes fluttered open, and a faint smile touched her lips as she looked at Marion. "Such a beautiful sound..." she whispered. "You've saved me."

The king's eyes widened with disbelief. Tears welled in them as he rushed to his beloved's side, grasping her hand as though afraid she might slip away again. "You... you're awake!" he cried, his voice trembling with joy. "Oh, my dearest, forgive me. I see now the folly in my decree."

He turned to Marion, who was still catching his breath, a bruise blooming on his cheek where the guard had struck him. "Young man," the king said, his voice filled with emotion, "I owe you a debt I can never repay. You have brought my queen back to me, and for that, I shall lift the ban on music. From this day forward, let there be song and joy throughout the kingdom once more."

Marion nodded, tears of relief and triumph glistening in his eyes. He had fought not only against the guards but against the silence that had stifled the land for too long. And now, his voice had broken through, bringing life back where it was needed most.

From that day forth, the kingdom flourished under a new symphony of life and love. Marion became known as the Silent Songbird, his melodies cherished by all. The queen, forever grateful for his bravery and the gift of music that had awakened her, often requested him to come and sing for her. Whenever he did, the palace would fill with warmth and joy, his voice a constant reminder of hope regained.

And though he once hid his voice in the shadows, he now shared it freely, proving that even against the greatest odds, the power of song could heal hearts and change the fate of a kingdom.

And so, in the realm where music was once forbidden, a new era dawned—one where the Silent Songbird's voice soared under open skies, bringing peace to all who listened.