European Tales by Fundacja Aktywni w Europie

This publication has been realized with the financial support of the European Commission (Erasmus + Programme). It reflects the views only of the author, and the European Commission and the National Agency for Erasmus + Programme are not responsible for the information contained therein.

Organizer:

Partner organizations: Y.E.A.S.T. Youth Europe Around Sustainability Tables (Italy) Young Europeans for Peace (Bulgaria)

About the project... "European Tales" was the project, implemented from 4th to 10th of January 2019 and financed by the Erasmus + Programme. The project was a common initiative of young people from Poland (representatives of Fundacja Aktywni w Europie from Sosnowiec), Bulgaria (representatives of informal group Young Europeans for Peace from Vidin) and Italy (representatives of Y.E.A.S.T. Youth Europe Around Sustainability Tables from Genoa). The project was attended by 36 people â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 12 people from Poland, Bulgaria, and Italy (2 leaders and 10 participants aged 15-19 from each country). Main activities took place in Poronin (Poland). The main topic of the "European Tales" was cultural heritage, and the project was related to the European Year of Cultural Heritage, celebrated in 2018.Â The aim of the project was to gain knowledge about the material and immaterial cultural heritage of our countries, as well as establishing an intercultural dialogue, becoming more identical with our cultures, open-minded and tolerant young men.

The main theme of the youth exchange were fairy tales from Bulgaria, Italy, and Poland, which are very important elements of cultural heritage and are sources of many positive messages and values. Within the project, participants created their own fairy tales, based on the cultural heritage of our countries. The project was implemented in English, using non-formal education methods, such as thematic sessions, storytelling, discussions, city game, integration games, national evenings, meetings with the local community, evaluations; During the regional evening, participants could taste famous dishes from Podhale, get familiar with local folklore, as well as participate in traditional sleigh ride. National evenings, organized by the participants of the project, gave an opportunity to get familiar with the traditions, cultures of our countries and dishes typical for our cuisines, prepared by them personally.Â Within the project, participants took part in city game in Zakopane, thanks to which they gain new knowledge about the cultural heritage of Podhale and Zakopane. Together with youngsters from local school, they organized a meeting, during which they presented the project, fairy tales created during the youth exchange, using theater methods and discussed cultural heritage. The international meeting was an opportunity to gain new knowledge, new skills, learn about our and foreign cultures, local culture and make new friends.

So we are here! We began our youth exchange. 36 people arrived in snowy Poland to take part in "European Tales" project, related to the topic of cultural heritage. On the first day of our international meeting, we organized activities, thanks to them we had the opportunity to get to know each other better, break the ice, build an integrated team, and create a friendly atmosphere. The next step of our youth exchange was to establish our code and describe our expectations and fears related to the international meeting. We reminded ourselves the schedule of activities for next days as well.

Tales about preparations Within our activities, we summarized the preparatory phase of our project and shared its results, our successes and exchanged our experience, which we gained. This phase was really challenging for us. Each of our groups presented this period of time using stories, based on the method of storytelling and a short presentation. We think that form was interesting for all of us and activity was a good idea and an element that allowed us to implement the main theme of the project.

Cultural heritage of Poland, Bulgaria and Italy The main topic of the "European Tales" was cultural heritage, and our project was related to the European Year of Cultural Heritage, celebrated in 2018. Within thematic sessions, each of the groups took us on a journey through the country we come from. Our task was to present cultural heritage â&#x20AC;&#x201C; material (including buildings, arts, books, costumes etc.) and non-material (traditions, customs etc.) - which is extremely important to us, which we identify with, which we are proud of and which is unique on a European scale and worth promoting in Europe.

Regional and national evenings International project and spending time in another country or region was an opportunity to get more familiar with local folklore and culture of our partner groups. During the regional evening, we could admire traditional costumes, learn traditional, listen to Highlanders' music and taste traditional dishes. We also took part in a traditional sleigh ride, which is organized in the region of Podhale during winter time. A very important element for each group was the national evening. We had a chance to present our country and our cultural heritage. We prepared also traditional dishes and treats.Â

European tales Within these workshops, we divided into small international groups and worked on creating our own fairy tales, which the main motive was the cultural heritage of our countries. In the unique stories we created, we tried to place the most important material and non-material elements belong to the cultural heritage of Poland, Italy, and Bulgaria. The task was very challenging for us and full of creative ideas. During creating fairy tales, we also worked on the way of presenting them, based on the method of storytelling and various theatrical forms.

Discover Podhale

We took part in the city game in Zakopane, prepared for us by students from the local school. Divided into small, international teams, we carried out creative tasks, thanks to which we got familiar with the cultural heritage of the region, but also Zakopane, which is a unique place on a global scale, famous for its unique art and architecture.

Afternoon with European tales Within our activities, we refined our fairy tales created by us and related to the topic of our cultural heritage. The next step was to refine our performances â&#x20AC;&#x201C; we chose the narrators of our fairy tales and we carried out rehearsals. We also created the scenography and costumes. During the meeting with local youth, we presented and discussed our project, youth exchange, our results, and successes. The next step was our performance â&#x20AC;&#x201C; we presented our created fairy tales. The meeting was also an opportunity to discuss the European Year of Cultural Heritage and present Erasmus Plus Programme.

And they lived happily ever after Last moments of our youth exchange. We had an opportunity to spend a couple of days in the international group, working together, learning together and having fun together. Surely it was an unforgettable experience, which brought many memories, taught us a lot, and made us more experienced. Within the last activity we prepared, we summed up and evaluated our youth exchange â&#x20AC;&#x201C; we analyzed our workshops day by day, we returned to "expectations and fears" and analyzed them one more time, we carried out an anonymous questionnaire and we all together summarized international meeting. The final element of the workshop was the ceremony of Youthpass and officially ending youth exchange.

The dog of San Lorenzo

Once upon a time, there was a dog named Eros with shiny black fur, but he was not a normal dog, he had different abilities than all other dogs. Eros wandered the Genoese streets, and was the guardian of the city, he was brave and intriguing. His owner, Francesco, was a sculptor, and they were best friends. Wherever he went there was always Eros with him. Antonio, an old friend of Francesco, was envious of his sculpturing skills and wanted to ruin his career. Because from when they where Francesco has always been a step ahead of him, so led by this jealousy, he secretly started hating and creating plans to ruin his career and his life.Â Antonio's plan was to destroy Francesco's next sculpture that he was making for the cathedral of San Lorenzo, to get him fired.Â While Francesco left his craft room, Antonio entered without being seen, took the hammer he had with him and right before he was able to destroy the sculpture.

Eros, who was looking for Francesco, felt a sense of danger and ran into the craft room. He saw Antonio rushed over to him and bit his arm scaring him away. Antonio, seized with rage, wanted to get rid of Francesco at all costs, deciding to kill him in his sleep. When night came, he entered the house armed with a knife. Eros realized that there was someone in the house and went to see what is going on. When he saw it was the same person who wanted to destroy Francesco's sculpture, he started to bark to warn everyone. Francesco confused by all the noise, came running to see what was happening. He saw Antonio, astonished and hurt to see his friend trying to kill him. Antonio ran over trying to stab him failing because Eros jumped in the middle of them saving Francesco's life, but remaining wounded in his leg. Francesco took the knife that fell out of Antonio's hand while he was running away, kidnapping Francesco's son.

Francesco agitated ran after him with Eros who was bleeding, but didn't think about it because he'd do anything to save his family. Antonio arrived at a cliff with a river with the baby dangling to throw it down. Francesco tried to make him think, but Antonio threw his son down in the river. Francesco attacked him while the Eros threw himself into the river after the son, and managed to save the life of the child and Antonio was arrested. Francesco grateful of the heroic gesture of Eros decided to honor Eros by dedicating a sculpture to him, in the Cathedral of San Lorenzo. In fact, the sculpture of Eros can be found in one of the front doors of the Cathedral of San Lorenzo.Â

The story of Aglika

Long, long ago a girl was born in a small village. Her parents named her Aglika. She was so pretty that just a glimpse of her made people speechless. As the time passed by she became more and more beautiful. She was an only child and her parents loved her with all their hearts. Even though they were poor stock breeders, they managed to make it through the day and provide a normal life. Aglikaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life was happy and free, full of love. She ran around through the green meadows, picking up flowers; bathed in the sun at the river coast and shepherded the sheep. Aglika grew up tall and slender girl with a long dark hair, eyes as blue as the highest skies, fine face, with a shiny smile. All the boys from the village were fond of her and longed for her love. Even flowers turned after her as she passed by and the sun lits her way. She was a sweet-voiced singer, and when she was shepherding the sheep her voice flew over the mountain slopes, sparked the meadows and enchanted all the living creatures.Â

Aglika was a smart girl. She went to school eagerly and was the best student. She always prepared carefully for the first school day. All the summer she saved up money to buy a new dress for school. So when the day came, she put on the new dress bought with deprivation, her dense black hair plaited beautifully around her sweet face. She could hardly wait to meet again her school friends and was excited to enter the mysterious world of knowledge, revealed by her favorite teachers. Her parents wished her luck and success in an old Bulgarian tradition: they spilled coppers of water on her way to school. The girl walked dancing in the street, singing a cheerful song. The voice of the kaval replied to her song. Its sweet melody was wild and free, gentle and charming. Aglika wondered where it came from. And she saw him - a young man approached her. He was handsome and sophisticated, with dark hair and black eyes. Their eyes met and both of them felt a new thrill that made their hearts beat in a crazy rhythm. The love hit them like a lightning. They were inseparable since then. But soon as the fate had willed it their happiness was clouded.

There was an old woman living at the end of the village, who was considered to be a witch. That’s why no one wanted to talk to her. She was hunched, with a wrinkled face and trembling hands. But her granddaughter was so pretty – tall and slender girl with a long, blond hair. Her parents died many years ago in and the old witch bred the poor orphan. Kalina was her name. As it happens, the granddaughter of the old witch fell in love with Aglika’s beloved. She envied the young lovers and wanted Momchil’s love for herself. The grandmother knew there was something that made her granddaughter sad. She noticed her tears and she asked Kalina what was bothering her and found out the truth about Kalina’s love. The old woman believed that Kalina had to be happy at any cost. So she decided to cast a spell on Aglika and thus make Momchil forget her. She searched in her old dusty book with spells to find the proper black magic and designed her diabolical plan.

Next morning as usual Aglika went to school. She sang with the birds, danced in the still wet grass. The Sun was shining brightly as if it were smiling to the girl. Suddenly black stormy clouds came out of nowhere. A strong wind broke out and bent the trees. Aglika started running to find a shelter in the school. All of a sudden the old witch jumped up on her way, pointing her cane to the sky, which was as dark as a bottomless abyss. Impenetrable darkness gripped the world. The witch pointed the stick at the girl and a thunderbolt hit the girl and turned her into a statue. Thick clouds veiled the Sun. The birds no longer sang their joyful songs, the flowers faded away. They were lost in sorrow for their beloved Aglika, bewitched in a stone figure forever.

Aglika’s parents were engulfed by sorrow. Everybody in the village missed Aglika, but it was Momchil who suffered the most. He brought flowers to his beloved every day, played her favorite songs, talked to her and his kaval sounded sad because lonely was his heart. Aglika was blind for his tears and deaf for his music. Her heart became a cold rock. The granddaughter of the witch didn’t get what she wanted. There was no other girl in the world who could take Aglika’s place in the young man’s heart. Kalina tried all she could do to make him forget about his beloved and fell in love with her. But Momchil was true to his love and rejected Kalina’s feelings. Soon the truth about the tragedy was revealed. The villagers expelled Kalina and the old witch away. They were cursed to not settle down till the end of their lives. Aglika stood still right there in the place where she was hit by the thunderbolt and turned into a rock. She stood there like a guardian of the village. Aglika’s rock reminded everybody that happiness, joy, and good could be destroyed by the evil forces in a moment.

People couldn’t forget Aglika. Her parents, Momchil and the others from the village visited the stone figure every day hoping hat a miracle could happen and bring back their beloved girl. They looked for a wizard who would succeed to break the black magic and bring back to them the bewitched girl. Unfortunately, there was no one as powerful to do this. Momchil cried so many tears that they ran a spring of crystal water. People named the spring ”Subashin” – clear water and built a two spouts fountain in the memory of the strong love. Momchil left his birthplace desperate and nothing was heard about him anymore. Aglika’s parents didn’t overcome the pain of the loss of their lovely child and lived that way the rest of their days. Until this day the rocky figure of Aglika with a school bag on her shoulder can be seen in the town of Belogrdchik, located 50 km southwest of Vidin. She would never get to the school, she would never come back to her family again and she would never see her beloved again. Now she belongs to a group of sandstone and conglomerate rock formations in the West Balkans, named the Belogradchik rocks. Each figure has got its own story and all together they stand around the town and protect its inhabitants from the evil and misfortune. People still believe that miracle could happen and the bewitched humans will come back to life again. Maybe miracles happen! Who knows…

The story of Philip

Once upon a time, there was a boy named Philip who lived by the Vistula river. One day Philip went for a walk. It was getting darker with each and every minute. Even though, Â the boy was relentless and he kept wandering along the path along the river. The water in the river looked different than usual, it got clear and transparent. The sky was cloudless and full of stars. Philip was satisfied with what he saw, therefore, he decided to sit down and stay for longer. The stars made Philip admire the beauty of nature, also he was enjoying the flow of the river and the sound of it.Â

Suddenly he heard a mysterious voice, he immediately looked around, but saw nothing. After a while, he heard the suspicious voice again but this time it was a bit louder and clearer and reminded Philip of singing. He stood up and heard singing again and it got louder and nicer. Surprisingly, from the river, a charming, mature woman with light complexion emerged. She had blue eyes and blond hair. Philip realized that the woman had a tail. Philip could not believe his eyes. He just met a mermaid! Sneaky mermaid started to sing to lure the boy to her. The creature told the boy that she would fulfill his wishes if he could get her a sword and a shield back- the ones that she had lent to a friendly knight for a battle with the Wawelski Dragon.

Unfortunately, the knight lost the battle and died, so the items needed to be recovered. The mermaid's weapon got taken over by the powerful dragon which was not going to give it away easily. The sword and the shield were stored in the huge dragon's cave. Philip decided to accept the quest and he was hoping that the mermaid would keep her promise and fulfill his wishes. The mermaid said that she could show him the way to Cracow. She stole the fisherman's boat in the evening so that the boy could move around the water.

The next morning they started their journey. During the journey, they were having a lot of fun and got to know each other. The journey took a long time but they finally got to their destination. Philip had to leave the mermaid. He got out on the shore and following the mermaid's hints he was looking for the dragon's cave. While he was exploring the forest from a distance he saw an enormous cave. He decided not to get too close to the cave because he didn't know where the dragon was. He was terrified, and he was risking his life.Â

Philip hid behind the tree and waited until he could spot the dragon. Suddenly, the dragon appeared, he was giant and mighty, he caused fear. His skin was almost like armour and his teeth were as sharp as a blade. Philip thought that the best thing that he could do is to wait for the dragon to fall asleep. Then he could get to his cave and steal the mermaid's items. The night came and the dragon finally felt asleep.Â Cautiously, he crept towards his cave. His heart was pounding and the sweat was dripping from his face.Â

When he got inside the cave he saw the mermaid's sword and shield just behind the dangerous dragon. He was sneaking to take the inventory from the dragon's cave and give it back to the mermaid. Philip was about to leave the cave, but then he tripped over the stone and dropped the sword. The furious dragon instantly breathed fire. Philip was in shock and started running for his life, but the dragon caught him with his tail, he put him right in front of his eyes.Â The vicious dragon asked the little boy what he was doing here. Philip unsurely said that he was trying to help the mermaid get her items back. The evil dragon wanted to eat Philip but Philip screamed that he would bring him his favorite snack- royal sheep. The dragon didn't really like eating people so he accepted Philip's offer. Philip had to bring 20 sheep for the dragon so that he could get the mermaid's inventory. The boy went to the royal field to spot some sheep. He saw a bunch of sheep, but all of them were guarded by the royal knights.

Philip had to come up with an idea to distract them so that he could steal the sheep for the dragon. He decided to put the forest that was next to the field on fire. When the guards caught the sight of the forest that was on fire, they immediately started to panic and ran to the castle to let everyone know that there was a fire. Philip took the advantage of this opportunity and went on the field, and took 20 sheep with him, he ran as quickly as possible so that the guards could not catch him. After he lost the guards he was exhausted, but finally, he brought the sheep to the dragon. The dragon seemed to be surprised, he did not expect the boy to be able to do such a thing. He was really impressed. As a reward, the dragon gave the mermaid's sword and shield back to the boy. Proudly Philip took the items and went back to the shore. As he was close to the river he saw the mermaid waiting. According to the agreement they had, Philip gave the items back to her and she fulfilled his wishes. The boy went back to his house and he lived long and happily ever after.

The story of true love

Narrator: The days passed, Philip was spending his life in perfect peace. But as the days were passing, Philip was feeling more and more lonely. He was missing one important thing in his life. Love. He reminded himself that he had still two wishes, the mermaid would fulfill. He went to the river, sat down and waited. The water started to sparkle, and suddenly a human - like a shape appeared. It was the mermaid. Mermaid: What makes you appearing here, Philip? Narrator: Asked the mermaid with a beautiful smile on her face. Philip: I was thinking about the wishes, I still have two, right? Mermaid: Of course. Do you want to use them? Philip: Yes, I was thinking about my life. It is empty, without love. Could I use my wish to find true love? Mermaid: Ok, let it happen! Now you have to go to the journey to Bulgaria, Belogradchik to find your second half. But remember, love will hit you the moment you are not looking for it! Read this! Narrator: Mermaid left a book on the shore and vanished away. Philip wanted to stop her but it was too late, the water turned black again. The moment the boy came back home he started reading the book.

It was the story of the Mighty Stones and Aglika. Next evening Philip went to the shore again. He was ready to go to Bulgaria and to find his love. From the distance he could see the shine of the mermaid's tail. He ran towards her, didn't say a word. The mermaid reached her hand towards Philip. He barely touched her finger and felt a strange feeling. His body was numb, before his eyes a bright light flashed. Suddenly he was in the other place. Forest, blue skies, river, far away from the city. Philip: Are we there? - Philip asked with surprised voice. Mermaid: Yes it is the place. You know the truth about the stones. We have to take down the curse. I can't go with you, I can't help you, I would die without water. You have to try alone. The stones are few hundred meters from here this way. Please be careful! Philip: Ok, I'll try. Narrator: Philip went straight into the wild forest. Trees were covering his back with a smooth, cool shadow. After some time he noticed a hill with rocks reminding human sculptures. Philip: I have it, it's here.

Narrator: He told himself. Suddenly a human, twisted shape appeared in front of him. Witch: What are you looking for young gentlemen? Philip: I have heard about the curse... Witch: What curse? There is no such thing! You better leave the place if you don't want to join this beautiful landscape. You know, accidents happen, people are so scared that they are turning to stones! And I love these stones - said the witch. Narrator: In the meantime, witch's granddaughter, Kalina was looking at the conversation from behind the trees. Witch: So better go, son! - screamed old lady. Narrator: Philip decided to go. He was scared, he knew who the lady was. He went back to the shore, set a bonfire and waited until the dusk will come. Again the water started to sparkle, and the mermaid came back. Philip told her about the situation in the forest. They were thinking a lot about a solution to the problem. They came for it just before the sun was about to rise. Philip: We need exact copies of the sculptures. We have to switch them with the real ones, so the witch will not see the difference. We have to distract her as well as we will be switching the stones. Mermaid: I know how we can do it! We have to ask the best artist in the world to make the sculptures for us. Also, I know the weak point of all the witches. They all want to be young. We can trick her using this fact!

Philip: Ok! So you will find the artist and I will trick the witch! I have an idea! Narrator: The same day, Italian artist, Francesco was already preparing the sculptures. He was brought on a place with Mermaid. His hands were dancing on the pieces of stone. All of the copies were made in few hours. In the meantime, Philip disguised himself as an old woman. He went to the forest. As he predicted the witch was guarding the stones. She was old so, she couldn't see very well.Â Philip: Ohh! I see a sister in need here! Go to the source Subashin. Drink the water and say these words "Ombre Kadabre Oh Samalim!", you will get younger! Narrator: Again, Kalina was hiding behind the trees. She overheard everything. She was terrified. The witch ran towards the source without paying attention to anything. Philip took down his disguise and ran to the shore, where the sculptures were hidden. Kalina followed him. When she went to the hill she could clearly see the exact copies of the stones. She knew what was coming, she ran fast to her grandma's house. Philip and Francesco, with the help of the mermaid, started to take the stones. Mermaid with her magic shrinked them, so they could fit in their bags. Philip: Before we will go, I have the last wish. Mermaid: Yes Philip. Is this really what you wish for? Philip: Yes.

Narrator: The rocks were melting revealing people trapped inside. These people were in shock, were asking where and when are they. At the same moment, the miniatures were growing and taking the place of the old stones. Filip came to the last one. The most beautiful one. The one with a name written on it Aglika. Philip: It must be you.- he said with a smile on his face. He touched the stone. It started to melt revealing a beautiful girl. She opened her eyes. But Filip felt nothing. His heart was still empty. First words of the girl convinced him that she is not the girl he would fall in love with.Â Aglika: Monchil, is it you? Where is Monchil? Narrator: Philip started to look around, maybe there was somebody else among the people he rescued? There were children, older men, women, all of them were terrified. Then he noticed somebody going down from the hill.Â A young redhead girl, wearing old clothes. She had freckles on her face. She was looking at Philip with her grey eyes. When she noticed that Philip was looking at her she slowed down. She was just about to turn around when...

Philip: Hey! Stop! Do you know these people?- Philip called the girl. The girl turned around and started to go back. Narrator: Philip started to run up the hill to stop the girl. Kalina: Don't say anything stupid, be yourself, nothing stupid- the girl was whispering these words with a little lisp. Philip: Hey! Narrator: Filip said, standing about two meters away. She turned around. They both looked at each other and the time stopped. Kalina: Hi! Narrator: Said the girl while blushing. Philip: Hi! Kalina: So. Ehmmm. You are lucky that my grandma didn't eat you... Narrator: Said the girl trying to escape with her eyes, but they still were looking deep in the eyes of the boy. Philip: Mhmmm, what? Your grandma was a witch? Are you Kalina? Her granddaughter? You are the ones who changed these people into stones! Narrator: Filip said with surprised and full of anger voice. Kalina: It wasn't me! I helped you! I heard everything, I switched the mirror with old picture of grandma. She thinks she is young right now.

Narrator: Philip's mind was struggling with Philip's heart. He knew that she could be the one. He never felt this way. Philip: Would you like maybe to go with me somewhere? I mean not a date... Or like a.... Kalina: Yes! Narrator: Said the girl with cute childish smile on her face.Â Kalina: But you see, I can't go. If I would go I could die. Grandma put a curse on me. I can't go further than these trees, otherwise, I would die. Narrator: Philip's face turned sad. He offered he would go with Kalina and save her from grandma. They got to an old wooden house. When they got in they saw the witch looking at the picture and laughing from joy. Kalina: Grandma could I go somewhere, I met a boy and... Witch: Go to hell, I am young again, I have my stones, I don't need you anymore, Kabuki Bum! Go away and never come back! Narrator: Philip and Kalina were holding hands while coming back to the shore, where Mermaid and Francesco were waiting for them. Philip and Kalina came back to Poland and lived long and happy lives. They had seven children. After some time it turned out that Kalina has magic powers, so she became a good witch, opened her school of magic. They found their place on Babia Gora where Kalina is celebrating her birthday with her fellow witches each year, up to today.

The jewellery of Queen Jadwiga

Once upon a time there lived a king with his queen. One hot day queen Jadwiga and her maid Anna went to palace gardens to chill themselves in a pool. Before they entered the pool, she took her clothes off and put them under the tree that was nearby. At the top of it she smoothly laid a beautiful, pearl necklace.Â - Look after this necklace - Jadwiga ordered Anna, and went to the pool. When she left the water, she saw that her jewelry was gone. Full of sad emotions she went to the king - John Sobieski The Third. When he found out about the robbery, he instantly called his minister. - You have to find your queen's necklace. King's order was very loud and clear. At the same time in woods nearby the palace gardens some poor man was collecting wood for a campfire. The minister was suspicious about this man. He ordered to arrest the man because he thought that he was the thief he was looking for. - Did you steal the necklace?! - he asked the poor guy. He was innocent, however he knew that if he told the truth, no one would believe him. He didn't want to be harshly punished so he decided to claim that he was responsible for the heist. When, he stood in front of the king he told him that he had had the necklace, but he did not have it anymore, because he had given it to the local treasurer.

- At least, he'll have enough money to repay the queen's jewelry. - the poor man thought. Soon after this, the innocent treasurer also had to stand in front of the king himself. He had to explain what he had done with the necklace. When he was asked if that poor man had really given the necklace to him, he answered "Yes" because he didn't want the poor guy to get arrested or punished. He told him that he had given it to some pretty woman. Quickly after, the woman also had to answer before the king. She also did not have the necklace so she said that she had given it to Nicolaus Copernicus. All four of them were locked inside one cell for the night. Treasurer instantly asked the poor guy why he had lied to the king about the necklace. - Please, forgive me sir, but I did not steal anything. However, I was scared that they would not believe me and I don't have money to repay the cost of the necklace so I said it was you. The Treasurer understood the man's explanation and accepted his apology. The situation was the same in case of the woman and Copernicus. When the morning came, everyone stood in front of the ruler again. - You have to let them free - Minister asked because he overheard all of them talking last night. - After what I heard from you, it seems like these people are actually innocent. Who's the thief in your opinion? - Sobieski asked. - I think the real thief might be a magpie from our garden!

Actually, he was right. When the maid fell asleep, the brightness of pearl baited the magpie that was sitting of the next tree. She took the pearl and hide it in the hollow nearby. Maybe, you want to hear how the minister wanted to reclaim the queen's necklace. At the beginning he wanted to catch two magpies and ask them where they had hidden the jewelry, but "when you want to catch both magpies by the tail, you won't catch any of them". He asked his friend, a musician Frederic Chopin. His task was to distract the magpies with his piano. However, it didn't work out the way they wanted. Next one he asked for help was the famous Polish knight Zawisza Czarny. The magpies saw his bright armour and couldn't see anything else. When Zawisza shouted at them to have a look at his armor they came closer and he ordered them to tell where they had hidden the necklace. They showed the place without any hesitation. Actually, the necklace was there. And that's how due to the Minister's ingenuity the Queen was happy again with her jewelry, and because of his fairness, all four innocent people were freed. Minister and Zawisza were generously paid for their smart idea. Because of this story the proverb "Stare like a magpie in the bone" was created.

The Nymphs of the Woods

Once upon a time a man, called Shishko settled down in a place near Bulgarian-Serbian border. He came from the mountains, from a little cottage near Tryavna. The new residence he founded was so picturesque and friendly than many other people followed him and started their new homes and a new life there. One of the all the families, that searching happiness had reached to these place, had got four children – three daughters and a son. The girls were Donka, Bonka, and Ghinka, and the boy was Stoyan. They liked the games in the open fields and often wandered around the village. One day the children were so absorbed in their games, that they did not notice when the Sun went down behind the mountains peaks and darkness swallowed the day. The kids were very scared of the dark and anxious because their parents would worry about them. On their way back they got lost because of the impenetrable darkness and finally, they realized they couldn’t find the way home. The girls began to weep and their brother Stoyan tried to comfort them and convince them that he would protect them at any cost. He decided to spend the night under the stars and find their way when the daylight come in the morning. As the kids had no other option, they sat on the ground, huddled against each other to feel warm and secure and fell asleep.

All of a sudden they heard steps and voices. “Oh, our parents and men from the village came to save us!” the lost children thought with relief. So they started to shout and call their Mom and Dad. But soon they realized that something was wrong. No familiar face. No awaited voice. Strange and ghostly women stood there instead. Dressed in long white gowns with long dark hair. Their eyes were red and sparkling. The women looked at the kids and there was something in their eyes, so attractive, so strong, so enchanting, that the kids couldn’t avert their eyes. The four children stood speechless and terrified. But the women didn’t do anything and Stoyan gathered all his baldness and asked them who they were and could they help them to find the way home. One of the strange women spoke and promised to help the kids. The children were so impatient to hug their Mom and Dad that trusted the women and followed them.

In a while, they reached the woods. The white-dressed women told the kids to close their eyes because a surprise was waiting for them ahead. Neither seeing anything nor knowing which direction they were going to, the children went deeper and deeper in the woods. Low voices and sweet noises surrounded them. They went through briers and thorn-bushes but didn’t feel pain or fatigue. Like the time had stopped. The strange group of four kids and the ghostly creatures reached a certain place and stopped. The kids were told to open their eyes. They obeyed and looked and couldn’t believe that the scene they see was real. A dreadful action occurred right in front of their eyes. There was a wedding there, a joyful procession of people, dancing and singing. The best man, the groove and the extremely beautiful bride were at the head of the hero-dance and everyone seemed happy. Suddenly a gang of armed people showed, who attacked the wedding guests and murdered all of them. The bride was stabbed right into the heart, her blood tinted the white dress. The man who killed her shouted that if he couldn’t have her, no one would and she’d rather be dead than belong to someone else. The scene was so terrible that the children were petrified in horror. The strange women told them the story and revealed the truth about themselves. The dreadful massacre the kids witnessed happened long ago. The women were there at the wedding because they were the bride’s friends and were murdered together with other wedding guests. Since then they cursed the man who took their lives. They couldn’t find peace and turned into woods nymphs. They were hiding in the woods, waited in the dark, enchanted and kidnapped a man in revenge for the evil they suffered. Earlier that day the children came to their land and disturbed their world. After a long hesitation, the nymphs decided that the kids could help them to finally find peace and leave this world of evil.

Donka, Bonka, Ghinka, and Stoyan stood motionless. They had listened to stories about woods nymphs, that wandered during the nights around the village. Even some men had vanished recently. The kids were scared but they were trapped and could do nothing to save themselves. The nymphs revealed their plan. The four kids would be free if they do what were told to. The girls should go to the cave called Magura. In the cave lived a blood-thirsty dragon. The beast caught a beautiful girl and kept her in the cave. Her tears had magic forces and the nymphs needed them to be freed from their burden. So Donka, Bonka, and Ghinka had to go there, collect the tears of the captured girl and bring the magic fluid to the nymphs. Their brother had to stay with the nymphs as their hostage. The children felt sad but had no choice so they separated. The three sisters left for the cave. Stoyan cheered them up, wished them be strong, brave and witty and come back safe and sound. The girls promised and left.Â A full Moon came and shined upon the route of the sisters. They kept going, holding their hands, frightfully looking aroundÂ in the dark. Exhausted and hungry they saw a shimmering light right ahead in a distance. There was a little cottage. They approached and knocked on the door. An old lady opened the door and showed them in. The frightened children told her their miseries and fortunately she gracefully helped them. The old lady was a good fairy. She fed and finally when they left she gave each of them an apple that could help them in tough moments.

Thankfully the three brave girls proceeded their way to the beastâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cave. They were thinking about their brother, kept hostage by the nymphs and were resolved to try all means to save him. In a couple of hours, they reached the cave. Entering it, they found themselves into a huge hall made of stone. It was creepy and dreadful. They saw unknown forms all around, strange drawings on the walls; the cave was so magnificent and they felt so little and week, and fragile, that only the care for their brother made them go into the depths of the cave. Suddenly they heard a frightful crash. The earth started to shake. They hid behind a big rock quickly. The girls realized that the crashes were the steps of the beast. They came closer and closer and the three sisters saw the dragon â&#x20AC;&#x201C; enormous and horrible. The beast was hungry and shouted that was going to eat the captured girl after his usual bath into the Rabisha lake. The sisters cleverly waited for him to go out of the cave and continued to seek for the captured girl. At last they found her in a small hall aside put in chains. She was crying and the tears came down her cheeks. Donka, Bonka and Ghinka felt sorry for her. Told her swiftly their story and why they came to the cave. She agreed to help them. Donka took her apple given by the old lady, bit it and the apple turned into a cup. Very carefully the girls gathered the pearl tears into this cup. Bonka took her apple, bit it and it turned into a sword. The girls slashed the chains and released their new friend. The four of them ran away in a hurry before the beast come back from the lake.

They kept running till they reached to the woods of the nymphs. The white-dressed women demanded the crystal tears. The sisters wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t give them unless their brother was released. The nymphs exchanged the boy for the tears. They drank the tears and forgot their promise. The nymphs tried to kidnap him again. Then Ghinka took the last apple and threw it amongst the nymphs.Â Finally, the dawn illuminated the woods and fields. All the dark creatures went deep into the dark and the children found their way home. They joined their family and together they were the happiest people in the world. The girl saved from the dragon became a part of their family. She found her new home. Years after she and Stoyan got married and lived happily. The Nymphs of the woods were forgotten for years. But one night the villagers heard voices singing sweet songs; the other night the voices were moaning, the other were sobbing. And the stories about the nymphs of the woods near Shishentci came into life again.

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