Clara has an old book of stories, and sometimes, when there is not much time, she reads a shorter version. This is a gentle retelling of The Six Servants, a traditional fairy tale collected by the Brothers Grimm.
The Six Servants
A young prince once set out to win the hand of a princess. But this was no simple task, for the princess was proud and set impossible challenges for anyone who wished to marry her.
Along his journey, the prince met six unusual men, each with a special gift. One could run faster than the wind, another could see across great distances, one had strength beyond measure, another could blow with such force that mountains trembled, one could endure the greatest heat, and one could stretch his body to an incredible length.
The prince welcomed them all, and together they travelled to the princess’s kingdom.
There, the princess gave him a series of difficult tasks, hoping he would fail like all the others before him.
For the first task, he had to race against her swiftest messenger. But the man who could run faster than the wind easily won.
For another task, something hidden far away had to be found. The one who could see across great distances guided them without hesitation.
When the prince was locked in a room of unbearable heat, the servant who could endure fire stayed calm and protected him.
Each time, one of the six servants used his gift, and together they succeeded where no one else had.
At last, the princess saw that the prince was not alone, and that strength could come not from one person, but from many working together.
The prince won her hand, and the six servants, having fulfilled their purpose, went their own ways again.
And that was the story Clara read that afternoon