The nobles of the land surrounded the sorcerer as the boys uncle
asked,
Can you predict the future for our prince? Will he be
happy?
After a moment of thought, the sorcerer spoke softly. Prince Harold
will be strong,
brave, and wise. But, soon as he attains his majority at the
age of eighteen, he
will suddenly die in violent convulsions.
You lie, old scoundrel! the guardian shouted in fury. In a fit of rage, he
drew
his sword and chopped the sorcerers head in half.
The queen burst into tears. Grief and despair reigned in the
kingdom.Nothing
remained to the queen and her subject but to pray to God for
the young princes
safety. Each year on Harolds birthday, the royal priests
organized a special
ceremony of worship to protect their prince from danger.
The years flew by, one after one. Prince Harold reached the age of
seventeen
without incident. But, according to the sorcerers prediction, he
was to live
just one year more.
One day, the prince went to his uncle. I am tired of waiting for
death.
Sooner or later it must happen to everyone. Let me go for a hunt,
Harold pleaded.
The princes uncle, hoping to protect the boy, reminded him of the peril
involved.
But,Harold remained stubborn in his desire to hunt. He mounted his
horse and
rode off.
As Prince Harold rode over the land, a strange deer came to him. The beast
lured him
into the dark forest, and then vanished.Harold found himself alone
and afraid. He
began to despair of finding his way back to the castle.
Suddenly, the prince heard
the crunching of branches underfoot, as if someone
were stealing upon him. Harold
spun around and saw a beautiful young girl,
clothed in leaves and flowers
of the forest.
The trembling prince sprang to attention and asked in a thin voice, Where am
I?
Who are you?
Do not be afraid! the girl replied. My fathers hut is just ten minutes
walk from
here. My name is Mavka. I am a daughter of the sorcerer Silvester.
Silvester? He was the one who predicted I would die at the age of eighteen!
Harold
exclaimed. But, witnesses saw him killed by my uncle many years ago.
You are wrong, objected Mavka. My father has never predicted the future
for anyone.
He is a very skillful fake. That is why the people consider him
to be a sorcerer. Let
us go to my fathers hut, and you will be satisfied
that your suspicions are unfound.
The house where the sorcerer Silvester lived was filled with various dried
herbs.
Prince Harold found the old man leaning over a large book.
I am Prince Harold, he announced, by way of introduction.
I know of your grief, young prince, said the sorcerer. A scoundrel used my
name
to frighten your mother and relatives.But, why?
Prince Herald rejoiced, The prediction was farce! I will not come to harm
on
my birthday!
"Do not be hasty, the sorcerer admonished. Perhaps the one who brought the
prophet
will try to realize his prophesy.
That sorcerer was led by my uncle. I trust him implicitly! the prince exclaimed.
Still waters run deep, Silvester advised. I shell help you with your
troubles.
Here is a poison that a royal servant recently asked for. I believe
that if the
opportunity presents itself, they will offer you a cup with just
the same poison.
None will be suspicious because all will accept it as a
stroke of fate, predicted
long ago.
Tell me, please, what I should do to save my life? the prince implored.
The birds teach their young to fly against the wind, so that they may be
able to
travel great distances to the South.Take this bottle of poison. A
special quality
of this poison is that it is own antidote. Today, take one
drop. Tomorrow,take two
drops,and so on. In this way, each day you will add
one drop more without harming
yourself. Your body will learn to resist the
poison, just as strong birds wings
learn to cut through the air to make
their way.
Carefully, the prince took the bottle of poison from Silvester. Following
the
sorcerers advice, drop by drop he accustomed himself to the lethal
poison. At
last,Prince Harold attained his majority. According to the law of
the land, he should
ascend the throne on that day.
Long live King Harold! the nobles shouted.
The palace was crowded for people had come from throughout the land to see if
what
was to be would be.
At the front of the throne stood the princes uncle, a cup of wine in his hand.
Take this cup, Harold, in your honor! the uncle said.
The young king hesitated for a moment, then swallowed his fear. Slowly, he
began
to sip the wine.
This wonderful wine has been prepared by my uncle. Thank you,
dear
Uncle! Harold returned the half-empty cup to his guardian. The uncle
looked
strangely at the cup.It puzzled him that the wine had produced no
effect.
Perhaps the cup was never poisoned, he thought to himself, and he
tasted
the wine to be sure. Suddenly,a horrible scream echoed throughout the
castle hall.
The uncle fell dead.
The poison he had prepared for me has brought his own end! the young
king
explained to his guests.
The following day King Harold departed in search of the sorcerer Silvester in
order
to ask his daughters hand.Harold and Mavka fell deeply in love and
married, ruling
the land together as the kindest and fairest of royalty.