I grew up with my grandmother’s stories. She, Maman as I called her, had a story about everything. It was a gentle way to let me know what is good and bad, right and wrong, acceptable and frowned upon. Looking back, I have realized that those stories shaped who I am today, for better or worse. But there was one story that is never too far from my mind and I would like to share it with you. Here it goes (this is a literal translation of the story as I remember it; I don’t know who else to credit this story to other than my grandmother as I couldn’t find any reference to it online):
Once upon a time, in a land far away, lived a King and a Queen, who were blessed with the arrival of a beautiful daughter. As it was customary in the old days, the Royal Family called upon a Fortune Teller to learn more about the little Princess’ future. Fortune Teller, reluctantly accepted the request as he knew that any bad fortune would mean the end of his life, however, he considered it his duty to serve his King and Queen.
Upon one look at the Princess, the Fortune Teller lowered his head in sadness as he knew of the terrible future that would be. The King noticed the emotions and ordered the Fortune Teller to tell all as he sees it. Fortune Teller foresaw the death of the Princess on the night of her 18th birthday as she will be stung by a poisonous scorpion. Bewildered by the news, the King ordered the beheading of the Fortune Teller and summoned all to rid the city of scorpions. However, just to be sure, he demanded the creation of a large crystal dome, which could house the Princess until she turned 18 years and one day old; as this would surly break the fortune that awaited her.
So the dome was built with only one point of entry that was high enough for no creature could get in or out. This small window was used to pass food to the Princess as everything else that she needed was placed inside the dome.
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| Courtesy of Google Image |
As years past, the Princess began to wonder about the world outside of the dome. She knew there was so much that she was not a part of, but she did not know as to why she was being kept in the dome all alone as no one dared to tell her the full story of the Fortune Teller. However, she had heard rumours about a deadly scorpion from those that attended to her needs.
A day before her 18th birthday, Princess asked for a special gift: a roll of bee-wax, as she wanted to preoccupy herself while she excitedly awaited her release from the dome. The King saw no harm in that as what harm could be caused by bee-wax. She ordered the palace’s bee-keeper to prepare an uncontaminated bee-wax and present it to the Princess. The bee-keeper did as he was told.
On the night of her birthday, the Princess decided to create a scorpion out of the bee-wax. Once completed, she fell asleep with the scorpion on her chest and began to dream of the next day and all the wonderful things the life outside of the dome has to offer.
Thanks for reading,
Armin
