Fairy tales for young and old ~ English version

The Eternal Hourglass

(Storytober - Day 20 - Time)

Once upon a time, in a kingdom far, far away, there lived a young and handsome prince named Fabel. He was known for his charm and wit, but also for his lack of understanding of the value of time. One day, a mysterious sorcerer, envious of Fabel's carefree life, cursed him to live the same day over and over until he learned the true meaning of time. The curse was symbolized by an eternal hourglass, which would reset at the end of each day, trapping Fabel in a never-ending cycle.

"Time is a gift, not to be squandered," the sorcerer had said, his voice echoing in Fabel's ears as the first day repeated itself.

Fabel woke up each morning to the same chirping birds, the same breakfast, and the same duties. At first, he enjoyed the predictability, but as days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, the prince grew desperate. He tried everything he could think of to break the curse, but nothing worked. The hourglass would always flip, and the day would start anew.

One day, while wandering in the outskirts of his kingdom, Fabel met an old woman named Mistee. She was known for her wisdom and her ability to see beyond the ordinary. When Fabel explained his predicament, Mistee listened with a thoughtful expression.

"Time is not just about the passing of hours, minutes, and seconds, dear prince," she said, her voice as soft as the rustling leaves. "It's about what you do with it. It's about the moments you create, the love you share, and the wisdom you gain."

"But how can I create moments or gain wisdom when every day is the same?" Fabel asked, his voice filled with frustration.

"Didn't you just changed the day by meeting me ? Each day is a new opportunity, a blank canvas. It's up to you to paint it with your actions," Mistee replied.

Inspired by Mistee's words, Fabel decided to change his approach. He started to use his time to help his people, to learn about their lives, their struggles, and their joys. He spent time with the children, teaching them and learning from their innocence. He helped the elderly, gaining wisdom from their experiences. He shared moments of love and kindness, painting each day with new colors.
As the days passed, Fabel noticed a change. The hourglass seemed to slow, the sand trickling down more leisurely. With each act of kindness, each moment of learning, and each shared laughter, the hourglass slowed until one day, it stopped completely.

Fabel had finally understood the true meaning of time. It was not about the ticking clock or the flipping hourglass, but about the moments he created, the love he shared, and the wisdom he gained. With this realization, the curse was broken, and Fabel was free.

From that day forward, Prince Fabel ruled his kingdom with wisdom and love, always mindful of the time he had and the moments he could create. And so, the tale of the eternal hourglass serves as a reminder to us all that time is not just a measure of our days, but a canvas for our actions, our love, and our wisdom.