A wooden toy. Source |
A poor man would send his small daughter on to the streets with the toys he has built in his carpentry shop behind their house. The poor family couldn't afford to have a store like everyone else in town, so he built from his home. He knew it was difficult for people to tell Eliza no so she worked all day. The family used the money the daughter earned on food, supplies for the toys, and trying to keep everyone clothed. Some nights the only person to get to eat is the family was Eliza, the man would be damned before he saw his daughter go to bed hungry. The family might not have had much but they had each other.
One day while Eliza was out on the streets selling her pretty toys, a boy around the same age approached her with fascination. Eliza being as friendly as she was stuck her hand right out and said " hi there, I'm Eliza," the boy returned her hand shake with a small "Eric." Although he was more shy than Eliza, he insisted Eliza go play with him back at his big house. Eliza knew better than to leave, but she loved making new friends. She picked up all the toys, hid them in an alley an ran off with Eric. Not 10 minutes after the children had left , her father came back to check on her progress and bring her lunch. Immediately Eliza's father knew something was wrong. He screamed "ELIZA," he asked everyone on the streets had he seen his precious daughter but no one had. Until an old lady that sat across the street from Eliza everyday and watched her, spoke up and said "I saw her and a boy run off toward the castle." The man absolutely determined to find her ran to the castle.
The kids were inside playing their little hearts out. They were in the middle of hide and seek when they heard a commotion outside at the door. Eliza saw her dad arguing with the guards. The guards wouldn't let her father in. Eliza waved to her daddy yelling "hi daddy!" Once the castle confirmed it was in fact in her father, he was let in to wait in the throne room. He admired the beautiful chairs in awe of the details they held. "Daddy!" Eliza yelled at the entrance of the room only to be trailed by the king, the queen and Eric. "I had so much today daddy, and look the king looks just like you!" How the detail was overlooked for so long was beyond the man. But immediately everyone in the room noticed the similarities and became very still.
The man knew he his father had another son but was not able to keep him because he was too poor to take care of two children. His brother was never found. The king married a princess making him the new king of the kingdom. After sitting down and discussing the details of the situation, the man and the king agreed they were in fact brothers. The king declared a parade to be held in honor of his new found family members. The family moved into the castle no longer wanting to be apart. "We have been apart too long brother, come live here" said the king.
Sadly 6 months after the family moved in, the king and queen went on a trip but not return. Their ship never returned and was lost at sea. Automatically by default the man was now the new king, his wife the queen, and Eliza a princess. While the man had no idea how to be king and was mourning his brother he took the throne with honor while taking in Eric as a new son. As time passed they became accustomed to living in luxury. The king would only drink the rarest beer, the queen only wore the finest jewels, and Eliza only drank from golden cups.
Author's Notes: I got my underlying idea of my story from the story The Golden Goose. In the original story the mother is poor with two children. A goose whose feathers were made of gold and were worth money. The daughters were supposed to sell the feathers for money for living. The mother becomes too greedy and ruins the goose's feathers. In my story I decided to keep a couple details the same but I wanted the family to find a way to get out of their situation. I like how the story began and ended the same.
Bibliography: More Jataka Tales by Ellen C. Babbitt, illustrated by Ellsworth Young (1922).
I really enjoyed how your story came full circle. How the last line tied in with the very first. It was nice how you showed that even in decrepit poverty that a family unit is still able to thrive and build healthy relationships.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your retelling. While it differs from the original tale, it still feels like a classical fairytale. The family being elevated out of poverty through what seems like chance but could very well be fate is a cool theme. I agree with Amanda that I like how the beginning and end bookended the story. Nice touch!
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