A Fairytale

Long time ago, there was a young farmer. Although his life was not wealthy, he still live happily because he satisfied with his current condition. One day, he saved a bird found injured in his little farm. He wrapped up its wound and gave it a plate of milk before sleep. In the midnight, the farmer awoke by a beautiful lady. And the beauty told him she was the bird he saved just now.

"You saved my life young man. I'm a fairy from the wonderland. I'll tell you a secret in return. A secret to become a fairy, just like me. In the jungle north from here, there is a cave. Inside the cave, there is an apple tree. Eat the apple, and you shall become one of us." Finishing her words, the fairy change into a bird again and flew away. The farmer stunned by what he saw.

The next morning, he decided to search for the apple tree the fairy told him. After a long journey he finally found a cave. He walked deep into the dark cave, and what appeared in front of him was a very tall apple tree with apples hanging highly on it. The farmer start to think: "The tree is tall, but I think I still can climb it and pick an apple." The farmer's mind was filled with desire to become a fairy.

"Ah!" The farmer slipped and fell from the tree. He broke his left arm, but he did not gave up although he was in pain. "It's just a mistake, I just stepped on a wrong branch. I can reach the top if I climb more carefully." So he stood up and start climbing again.

"Arggh!" And again, he fell. He climbed to a higher place before falling, causing heavier injury than the first time. This time, he broke his right leg. The pain of broken arm and leg made the farmer suffered. He finally realized, it's beyond his capability to reach an apple. But he was too late to regret. It was impossible for him to go back alone with his injury now. He had no choice but to believe that he can get an apple.

He rested for awhile before he start climbing for the third time. In his mind, he understood that it was his last try and last hope. If he fall again and break his remaining arm or leg, he wouldn't be able to climb the tree nor return to his home anymore......

[ To Be Continue ]