THE BOY WHO COULD KEEP A SECERT - Part 3 of 5

THE BOY WHO COULD KEEP A SECERT

THE GALLOWS - Part 3 of 5

Thus they reached the palace, the King unable to extract anything from the boy the whole time. There he introduced the boy to his three pretty daughters. “Come, play with us.” they chorused. The four played together and became good friends. Time passed quickly in their joyful company, and he did not part with his sword and scabbard even for a second.


One afternoon, while they were playing, King said, “Did you know that he has a secret which he won’t tell anyone?” Now you know girls! “Oh! Has he? He’ll tell me.” The three girls asked him in their sweetest voices, but – “No, No, No! I shan’t tell anyone, and I’ll beat you if you ask me.” The King was shocked that anyone could threaten to beat hit precious daughters. “Take him away! The ungrateful wretch! I don’t want to see him anywhere near me.”

The sword clanking noisily, the boy was led away to the servants’ quarters. There he lived till he became 17 years old. Meanwhile, he elder two Princesses got married and gone away. Only the youngest remained. She was alone and life was becoming dull for her. The king was in council and the Queen ill in bed, so the little Princess wandered around the royal estate. ‘Oh! The servants’ quarters sounds so full of fun and cheer.’ Then she saw a very handsome young man standing there. ‘Oh! He’s more handsome than any prince I’ve ever seen’ “Hello, Little Princess.” She recognized her old playmate who had a secret. “Oh! It is you! Tell me your secret and I’ll marry you.” Infuriated he said, “I’d warned you years ago!” Picking up a stick he beat her. Thump. Thwack. “How dare you!” She ran and complained to her father. “I’ll have him sent to the gallows!” “(Sob! Sob!) Horrid boy!” Quickly the gallows were set up outside the town and all the people were invited to see the execution. The crowd thronged the place, “There he comes! The boy who dared to beat the King’s daughter.” “Serves him right.”

In the silence, his sentence was being read by the judge when suddenly the sword by his side clanked loudly. “..........he should be hanged till he is dead.”

Just then a golden coach appeared with the coat of arms of Land of Magyars. The Emperor of Hungary stepped out in style. “Spare the life of that boy.” King was exasperated by this. “He has beaten my only daughter who only asked him to tell her his secret.” “I cannot pardon him! No, Your Majesty, I cannot do that.” The Emperor of Hungary was polite and persuasive but he was also most powerful man in Hungary. “Give him to me. I’m sure he’ll tell the secret to my lovely daughter, Venus.” “Well, if you want him, take him. Only don’t let me ever see his face again.”

That's All Folks!