Crimson Fairy Book

Chapter 5 A Tale of the Seven Simons (2)
"Listen, good lads," cried the king, as soon as he saw them, "listen to the thoughts of my wise counselors. Since you, the second Simon, can see the whole world from the top of the column, I will Climb up and have a look and listen. Because I have heard that there is a kingdom of Pusan ​​Island far away across many seas, and the daughter of the king is Princess Helena."

A second Simon ran over and quickly climbed up the post.He looked around and listened, then slid down to report to the king.

"Your Majesty, at your command, I have seen the Kingdom of Pusan ​​Island from afar. The King is a mighty monarch, but he is arrogant, stern, and cruel. Sitting on his throne, he declares that there is no prince or king on earth worthy For his lovely daughter, he will not marry her to anyone. If a king proposes to her, he will declare war on her and destroy the kingdom of the other party."

"Does the state of Busan have a strong army?" King Ahideji asked, "Is that country far away?"

"As far as I can judge," replied Simon, "it would take nearly ten years to get there by ferry, even in good weather. Perhaps twelve years in a storm. I saw his troops being reviewed, not very Huge—but also a hundred thousand infantry with guns, and a hundred thousand knights. Besides he had a mighty bodyguard and many archers. Another hundred thousand could be seen, and they were all chosen warriors, and they were nourishing their spirits. Recharge your batteries and get ready for times that require extra courage."

The king sat down and thought for a long time.Finally he said to the nobles and court ministers standing around: "I am determined to marry Princess Helena, but what should I do?"

The nobles and court ministers did not speak, trying to hide behind each other's backs.Then the third Simon said:
"Your Majesty, please forgive me, I would like to make a suggestion. Would you like to go to Pusan ​​Island? Nothing is easier than this. You don't need ten years to get there in just one week on my boat. Please The cabinet advises you what to do when you get there, in a word, you can either marry the princess peacefully, or start a war to marry the princess."

Those wise men remained silent.

The king frowned and was about to reprimand sharply, when the court jester rushed forward and said, "Why, what are you clever people doing? It is clear. Since it did not take long to reach the island Why don't you send the seventh Simon? He'll steal back the pretty princess soon, and then the king, her father, might figure out how to get the army here. It'll take him ten years !—ten years to come! What do you think of my plan?"

"What else can I think of? Well, your idea is brilliant, and you will be rewarded for it. Hey, guard, go and bring the seventh Simon to me as soon as possible."

It was not long before the seventh Simon stood before the king.The king explained to him what to do, and also explained that it is very wrong to steal for his own benefit, but it is not a wrong thing to steal for the benefit of the king and the country.

Simon, the youngest, looked hungry and thirsty, with a sallow complexion, and he just nodded.

"Hey," said the King, "tell me the truth, do you think you can steal Princess Helena?"

"My lord, why can't I steal her? It's easy. Fill my brother's ship with rich silks, brocades, Persian rugs, pearls, and diamonds. Put me in it, and let my four My brother will be my companion, and the other two brothers will stay here as hostages."

When the king heard these words, his heart was full of longing, and he ordered that everything should be made ready as Simon wished.Everyone ran around to do things according to the king's will.In a short while the strange ship was loaded and ready to go.

The five Simons bid farewell to the king and stepped onto the plank of the ship, where they disappeared before the sight of the ship as soon as it sailed.The boat galloped through the waves like a falcon soaring through the sky.A week later, Pusan ​​Island appeared, and the coast was heavily guarded. The sentry shouted from the tall tower in the distance: "Stop advancing, anchor! Who are you? Where are you from? What do you want to do?"

The Seventh Simon answered on board: "We are people of peace. We have come from the country of the great and good King Ahideji, and have brought with us foreign wares - splendid brocades, carpets and costly diamonds. We hope To your kings and princesses. We are willing to trade—to buy and sell, to exchange."

The brothers steered a small boat, took some valuable goods, and sailed to the shore to the palace.The princess sat in a rose-red room.Seeing the brothers approaching, she sent the nurse and the other maids to ask who they were, what they were, and what they wanted.

The Seventh Simon replied to the Nanny: "We come from the country of the wise and good King Ashidji. We have brought many goods. We believe that the king of this country will condescend to welcome us, and will let his servants take care of us. items. We shall be delighted if he considers them worthy of adorning his palace and subjects."

His word was passed to the Princess, who ordered that the Simon brothers be brought at once into her red room.They bowed politely to her, and again showed her dazzling velvets and brocades, precious jewels and diamonds.These beauties have never been seen on this island.The nanny and maid were fascinated by these luxurious things, and whispered together, saying that it was the first time they had seen these things.The princess was also very surprised when she saw it, her eyes stared at them tirelessly, her fingers kept stroking the gorgeous and soft velvet, and she kept picking up the sparkling diamonds under the lamp.

"Beautiful princess," said Simon, "have your maids accept these silks, let your maids wear these jewels for their tiaras. These are not exotic jewels. Allow me to say that they are more beautiful than ours. The many colored tapestries, the splendid diamonds, and strings of pearls on board are nothing. We would not take much with us, and do not know your noble taste. But it does not seem to do you any harm if we are honored to invite you aboard, Then you can deign to pick something that pleases you."

The princess was very pleased with this courteous speech, and she went to the king and said: "My dear father, some merchants have come, and they have brought many splendid goods. Please allow me to go to their ships and choose what I like. s things."

The king thought and thought, frowned tightly, rubbed his ears again, and finally he agreed.He ordered the Royal Clipper to escort Princess Helena with a hundred crossbowmen, a hundred knights and a thousand soldiers.

The speedboat set off with the princess and the guards, and the Simon brothers boarded the speedboat and accompanied the princess to the boat.They lead the way, and her nurse and other maids follow behind.The princess walks from one ship to another across a crystal gangway.

The seventh Simon spread out the goods, and told them many strange and interesting stories.The princess just watched the cargo and listened to the story, and forgot about other things. She didn't know that the fourth Simon had grabbed the bow of the ship, and suddenly the ship disappeared and sailed towards the deep sea.

The crew of the royal clipper shouted loudly, the knights were motionless in shock, and the soldiers were speechless and drooped their heads.They had no choice but to sail back and report the bad news to the king.

How sad and angry the king was! "Oh, my God," he whimpered, "I was punished for my arrogance. I thought there was no one worthy to be your husband. Now you have fallen into the deep sea and left me alone. All of you Get the fuck out of the way, everyone who's sitting by and watching this happen! I'm going to put you in shackles and put you in jail. I'm going to figure out the best way to execute you."

While the King of Busan was venting his anger and sorrow in this way, Simon's boat was swimming on the bottom of the sea like a fish.Pusan ​​Island was completely out of sight and he brought the boat out of the water again.At this time the princess came back to her senses. "nanny,"

She exclaimed, "We have been looking at these curiosities for too long, and I hope my father will not be annoyed at our delay."

She left the cabin and went onto the deck.The speedboat is gone, and the island country is gone!Helena rubbed her hands and beat her chest, and then she transformed herself into a white swan and flew up.But Simon Five took the bow and shot the swan down, and Simon Six caught it in the boat before it fell into the water.The swan turned into a silver fish again, and Simon caught it immediately.The fish quickly turned into a black mouse again, scurrying across the boat, and went straight into a hole. Just before the mouse was about to go into the hole, Simon the Sixth was faster than the cat at it. Jumping over, the little mouse turned into the beautiful Princess Helena again.

King Ashideji sat at the window every morning and stared at the sea, meditating.His heart was very sad, and he neither ate nor drank, but his mind was entirely on Helena, who in his imagination was as lovely as a dream.One day, he saw something flying towards the shore, was it a white seagull or a ship?No, that's not a seagull, it's that strange ship sailing.The sails rise and fall with the waves, the flags on the ship are flying, and the violin is playing on the wire cables.At this moment the anchor was broken, and the crystal gangway was lowered from the boat to the pier, and lovely Helena stepped onto the gangplank.She was as radiant as the sun, and the stars in the sky seemed to twinkle in her eyes.

King Ahideji jumped up hastily: "Quick, quick," he cried, "get her quickly. Blow the horn and ring the bells cheerfully!" The whole palace was crowded with ministers and servants.A golden carpet was laid, and the gates were opened to welcome the princess.

King Ashidji himself went out, took her by the hand, and led her into the palace.

"Princess," he said, "I have heard of your beauty, but I never thought you were so lovely.

Of course I won't keep you here against your will.That strange ship will take you back to your father's country if you wish.If you agree to stay here, then I will obey you and make you queen. "

What else is there to say?It is not difficult to guess that the princess accepted the king's marriage proposal.They held a grand engagement ceremony amidst joy and joy.

Brother Simon was again sent to the island of Pusan ​​to deliver a letter to the king, and his daughter invited him to her wedding.

When the strange ship reached the island of Pusan, all the knights and soldiers who had previously escorted the princess were being led out to be executed.

Seventh Simon shouted on the boat: "Stop! Stop!

I have brought a letter from Princess Helena! "

The King of Busan read the letter repeatedly and ordered the release of the knights and soldiers.He warmly entertained the emissary of King Ashidji and expressed his blessing to his daughter, but he was not able to attend the wedding.

When the singular ship returned home, King Ashidji and Princess Helena reveled in the news it brought back.

The king sent for the Seven Brothers Simon. "Brave lads, I thank you a thousand times," he cried, "take your gold and silver treasures and precious diamonds as you please. Tell me, my dear friends, if you want anything else, I'll give it to you. Do you want to be aristocrats, or rule a city? Just ask."

Boss Simon bowed and said: "Your Majesty, we are ordinary people who can only understand simple things. We would make a fool of ourselves as nobles or rulers! We don't want gold either. We have land for food and enough money. If You want to reward us, give our land tax-free, and by your kindness pardon Seventh Simon. He was not the first thief by trade, and he certainly won't be the last."

"Do as you say," said the king, "and your lands will be exempted from taxation, and Seventh Simon will be pardoned."

Then the king gave each brother a cup of wine and invited them to the wedding feast.What a grand wedding feast that was!
(End of this chapter)