On September 30, 2006, my one and only sister, Christine Quinn, married Jeremy Hooper. It was both beautiful ceremony and elegant celebration (I am truly sorry that most of you missed it).
One of my gifts to the newlyweds was a fairy tale I wrote in their honor and read to them during a toast at their reception. At the request of several family members, I have posted the full text below. Although the story is an original creation, it does pay homage to the Brothers Grimm, Hans Christian Andersen, and the hundreds of folktales I’ve read from African, Native American, and Asian traditions. I have always agreed with J. R. R. Tolkien argument that “the association of children and fairy stories is an accident of our domestic history” and they are designed for adults as well. I hope you enjoy the tale and the message.
The Wedding Tale
Long ago, there lived a great king with three beautiful daughters who was the patron of an old, grand alchemist. As the alchemist was nearing the end of his long life, he decided to teach the secrets of his craft to one final student.
After seven years, the alchemist was very proud of his apprentice. He was fluent in the five ancient languages, and had quickly learned the all the modern philosophies, sciences, and arts. Likewise, the apprentice greatly admired his master, who was both so kind and so wise.
Yet, he had not been taught about the philosopher’s stone, that secret object which alchemists far and wide treasure as it supposedly can transform baser metals into gold. His master indeed had one, in a beautiful glass case, but anytime he inquired about it, he always received the same stern rebuke: “Stones have no power. The true magic lies within the combination and symphony of the hearts.” The alchemist often spoke in riddles, as members of his guild often do, and the apprentice was puzzled by this cryptic teaching, wishing at night he understood the message that was veiled.
One morning, the alchemist appeared before dawn and said: “Within the month, your apprenticeship shall end. I have but one last lesson for you; however, you must get married first. The king has offered the hand of any of his daughters, but you must choose wisely. I will help you. ”
That evening, the alchemist told his apprentice that the king’s oldest daughter was waiting for him in his room and he should go make her his bride. However, when he got to the doorway, he discovered the door was open about three inches, but that great rock, the philosopher’s stone, was blocking him from entering the room. After several hours of trying to remove the stone, which was heavier than any weight he had ever encountered, the alchemist re-appeared and said “Stones have no power. The true magic lies within the combination and symphony of the hearts. She is not to be your wife.” The princess was sent back to her father.
The next evening, the alchemist told his apprentice that the king’s second oldest daughter was in his room waiting for him. Yet, once again, he found the door ajar, blocked by the philosopher’s stone, but it would not yield to his attempts to lift or even move it slightly. Then, after some time, he felt his master’s hand on his shoulder. The alchemist shook his head sadly and whispered again “Stones have no power. The true magic lies within the combination and symphony of the hearts.”
A week passed, and once again, the alchemist said that the king’s youngest daughter was in his chamber and he should go make her his bride. The philosopher’s stone was before the door again, and the apprentice tried with all his strength and might to move it, but it would not budge. The youngest princess heard the apprentice groan and struggle with the stone. She then thought to herself “The man who is to be my husband needs assistance with his burden, shall I not help him?” She then did something very princesses very rarely do: she knelt down on the other side of the door. The princess then placed her hands on top of his, and together they were able to slowly roll the stone to the side and the entrance was free.
They were married the next day and his former master gave him the philosopher’s stone as a wedding gift, as he had finally learned its secret.
And, finally, I need to end this tale, and like all such stories, I want you to know, that they lived happily ever after.
This is a great story Thom. You should see about getting it published in a magazine or something. Well done!
Posted by: Phil Gerbyshak | October 03, 2006 at 08:23 PM