Once upon a time, in a faraway land, lived three young peasants who were the best of friends. Their village was small, and they had known each other since their third birthdays. They attended chapel together, did chores together; even their reading lessons were given as one, despite the fact that one young friend was a girl. The boys were as different as they were close: one reverent and studious, the other keen for chivalry and adventure. The girl was quiet, but passionate. All three had a mischievous streak that would ultimately cement their friendship.
Finally, the day came when the three parted ways. The adventurous young man was to be a squire for the bravest knight in the kingdom. The studious boy became a sorcerer’s apprentice. The young lady, despite her intelligent mind and courageous spirit, remained in the village to tutor the other small children. Her great imagination and zealous nature made her a favorite of the younglings. She was happy, but there were times when she yearned to be with her friends who would one day change the world.
As the years passed, her friends would visit her and bring her stories of the great, wide world. The squire had slain his first dragon and dined with kings. The apprentice had discovered a new medicine that would comfort the ailing elderly. She would tell them the happenings of the village, always feeling like she should be doing and giving more. In her secret heart, she believed her beloved squire would one day return as a knight to marry her; he would make her a lady and give her a beautiful white horse to ride beside him on his grand adventures.
Time marched steadily onward, as it is wont to do. The squire did become a knight, and it was said that he was the most courageous, steadfast, and worthy hero ever to be bestowed the honors. The apprentice became the wisest and most powerful wizard in memory. The young girl became a woman, who taught the children of the village the stories of her two brave friends. Still they did not forget her; the wizard brought her scrolls with new ideas, while the knight brought her whispers of love and hope for the future.
One day, the baker from the corner delivered her morning bread. On this unparticular day, she happened to see something in his eyes she had never before seen. A week later, they shared a sweet bun and a story. A month later, they were seen walking in the starlight. A year later, the baker had asked her the question she had waited her whole life to answer. Yet even as her heart filled with joy, she thought of her shining knight. What if, after all this time, he came for her? What would she tell him?
Though it broke her heart, she knew she could not wait for him. Somewhere beneath the years of whispered love and hope, she understood that all he would ever give her was whispers. He returned to her out of respect for their shared past, and a secret knowledge that in another lifetime, they could have had a love for the ages. As much as he undoubtedly cared for her, his heart would truly belong to the spirit of adventure—chasing dragons, rescuing princesses, and securing the kingdom for those who lived in freedom.
On the other hand, her baker would provide bread, a hearth, comfort, and most of all, a life filled to the brim with love and devotion. She and her knight might have heart wrenching passion and poetry, but as a baker’s wife she would have a home and a family. To the unobservant eye, it might seem as though she traded her true passion for stability and security. In truth, she discovered her true place in the kingdom.
The young woman and her baker were married beneath the mistletoe one wintry eve. Though she would always carry the knight and wizard in her heart, she allowed them to be replaced with her sweet husband and simple love.
For the rest of her life, she told the stories of her brave friends to the children of the village. Some of them grew up to be great knights; some became sorcerers and alchemists. Most, however, remained in the village to live out their daily lives. When they turned disgruntled and disappointed, she reminded them that if the whole realm was made of princesses and knights and wizards, the kingdom would starve, for who would bake the bread? After all, there is nobility and adventure in everything we set out to do; as long as we find love, our life is well-lived.
And so, the kingdom lived, and lived well.
The end.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oyXkOGrNJY
