Five Little Boys and a Magician
Introduction
This is the story of five little boys and a magician who lived in Northern Italy. The magician dwelled in a quaint cottage nestled in the heart of a vast forest. Unlike many magicians, he was not wicked; instead, he was immensely kind and wise. Every night, he hung a lantern outside his cottage to guide travellers who might have lost their way through the forest.
The Curiosity of the Boys
The five little boys lived on the edge of the forest and often visited the magician to converse with him. He never grew tired of answering the multitude of questions they posed. One day, one of the boys asked the magician, “Is it true that you have some treasure buried in your house?”
A Magical Challenge
<p“Yes, it is true,” replied the patient old magician. He then thought to himself, “Now that I am growing old, I do not need the treasure. It would be better to give it to one of these young boys.” He turned to them and said, “I will tell you what I will do. I will give the treasure to one of your five boys. Here’s the challenge: At midnight tonight, you must set off on a journey. Go wherever you like, but you must return here by sunrise tomorrow to tell me about your adventures. Then I will judge which of you deserves the treasure.”
The Adventures Begin
At midnight, the five boys set off, each in search of adventure. As dawn approached the next day, they began to return to the magician’s cottage, one by one. Each boy recounted his adventures to the old man. The first boy declared, “I got here first, so I should receive the treasure.” The second boy boasted, “I killed a bright red fox.” The third boy bravely claimed, “I lost my way and had to run through the forest without a path.” The fourth boy said, “I sang the whole way so that no one would know I was afraid.”
The Last to Return
The magician listened patiently to their boasting and was considering his decision when the fifth boy staggered out of the forest. He collapsed near the doorstep of the cottage, struggling to catch his breath. His feet were swollen from completing the last part of the journey without shoes. The other boys gathered around him, eager to hear about his adventures. “Did you kill any fierce animals? Did you lose your way in the forest?” they all asked.
The True Spirit of the Journey
The magician then spoke gently to the exhausted boy, “You have endured many hardships, and you look very tired. Why didn’t you stop to ask for help?” Taking a moment to recover, the boy replied, “I didn’t ask for help because I wanted to win the treasure all by myself and take it home to my mother.”
The Final Decision
The magician was deeply touched by the boy’s response. Unlike the other boys, the little one didn’t boast about his journey. Impressed by his perseverance through pain and exhaustion for the sake of his mother, the magician decided to give him the treasure.
Conclusion
Upon receiving the treasure, the boy’s humble spirit shone brighter than any adventure. True valour and love for one’s family proved to be the most magical reward of all.