Thursday, December 12, 2013

the princess and Crow


Once there was a princess who awoke one day to find a small spot under her eye. It was a little nothing to begin with but, as a king's daughter, she was a bit spoiled and refused to leave her bed. When royal doctors came to treat the problem she sent them away and instead kept touching the sore spot until it got worse and worse. Finally the king proclaimed a large reward for whoever could cure his daughter. After some time, Crow arrived claiming to be a famous physician.

Saying that he could definitely cure the princess he was admitted to her chamber. After he had examined her, he exclaimed, "Oh, I'm so sorry!"
"What is it?" the princess inquired.
Crow said, "There is nothing much wrong with your eye, dear child, but there is something else that is really serious."
The princess was alarmed and asked, "What could be so serious?"
He hesitated and said, "It is most unfortunate. I simply can't tell you about it." No matter how much she insisted, Crow refused to tell her, saying that he could not speak without the king's permission.

When the king arrived, Crow was still reluctant to reveal his findings. Finally the king commanded, "Tell us what is wrong. Whatever it is, you must tell us!"
At last Crow said, "Well, the princess's eye will get better within a few days - that is no problem. What is a problem is that the princess will develop a tail, a very long tail, that may start growing very soon. If only she can detect the first moment it appears, I might be able to prevent it from growing." At this news everyone was deeply concerned.

And the princess, what did she do? She stayed in bed, day and night, directing all her attention to detecting when the tail might appear. After a few days, her eye got well.

..and she never saw even a hint of a tail.

the end


20 comments:

  1. Crows, like Bears, are very wise creatures. Congratulations on you and Crow solving the problem for the Princes, and her father.

    Blessings and Bear hugs, susan!

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    1. Crow agrees and asked me to add the fact that the animal kingdom in general is far more wise than most humans.

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  2. Susan, this is a delightful tale. Your illustration is fabulous, and Crow looks his very best and wisest.

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    1. Why, thank you, Marja-Leena. You are a good friend to us both.

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  3. Oh wait, a new ending...

    After she realized that she was well and would grow no tail, the princess got out of bed and studied leadership and governing so that she could one day take over and be the new leader, the Queen. The end.

    (When I read to my 2 year old granddaughter every story ends with a loudly proclaimed "The End" as we close the cover :)

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    1. Ah, that's an excellent addendum to the story. Of course the princess grew up to be a wise and just Queen.

      Two year olds are almost as much fun as three year olds. You're a lucky woman.

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  4. I think it is correct that too much introspection on a particular point can be unproductive. Detachment can heal! I do think Meister Crow exudes just the right amount of avuncular gravitas. Lovely drawing as always. How is your recovery going?

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    1. Buddhist meditation instructors advise that we not follow our thoughts but simply allow them to come and go. It's not always easy advice to take.

      Thank you for the fine compliment. I'm well now and determined to resist the surgeon's proposal to do just a bit more 'trimming'.

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  5. Ah! A wondrous tail....er, tale, indeed! And lovely drawing. Crow really does look every bit the distinguished physician standing there. ♥

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    1. I'm delighted to know you enjoyed the story (and the picture), Lydia. Yes, Crow is very adaptable :)

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  6. What a great tale of a tail
    the Ol'Buzzard

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  7. At first I thought this was a tall Tale from Crowe but then I realized it was a continuation of your Buddhist stories, but this one adapted into your story from the “The Tail” - like the parables in the bible they all can have many meanings, to make us think.
    Lovely drawing.
    Best wishes .

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    1. Having Crow exchange places with 'the old wise man' was just too good an opportunity for me to miss. It really is an excellent teaching story, isn't it?

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  8. yes -I think it does helps to keep in mind the bigger picture when travelling over the bumpy road.
    Best wishes

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    1. I couldn't agree with you more, Lindsay.
      Best wishes to you too.

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  9. oh, gosh! i've been so worried about my tail, i didn't even SEE the spot till now..... I just can't seem to get anything right....

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  10. Uff! Almost overlooked this.
    Crow knows how to cure intailigent contemporaries. :)

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