Power Of Love

Once upon time, there was a kingdom which was ruled by a prosperous prince. All the people in his land were very happy because of his righteousness and generosity. He was the bravest prince of all time . . . and very handsome too.

Unfortunately, he was unable to have a long-term relationship because he neither trusted nor believed in women.

All his family and viziers were very worried about him. The reason was that he was bedding a new lady every single night and having her executed first thing the next morning. For many years, this went on and on and on. Everyone knew, but no-one said anything.

There was a simple, kind-hearted girl living in his land with her family and working on his farms. She was in love with the prince, but, due to the fact she was a commoner, she would seem to have no chance of meeting with the prince in her lifetime.

However, one day, she heard a court procurer was in her village looking for a woman who would spend a night with the prince in his palace. No woman appeared because they all knew by this time what their inevitable fate would be. Nevertheless, the love-struck young girl made her choice and accepted the opportunity to be with him for that one night.

She knew from the depths of her heart that, if she could not have him in her life, she would be like the walking dead. She was hoping that the pure love in her heart would heal his sorely wounded heart one day. If she could be successful then she would be the happiest woman on earth: if not, either way, she would be dead. So, with a complete belief within herself, she took the fatal risk.

From the first night, she started to tell stories to the prince. The prince was curious and impressed with her little stories and so, instead of having her executed, invited her back the next night. After that, she was telling him stories every single night. Nevertheless, she had some rules. She would only tell stories in his bed and he had to imagine his bed as a flying carpet . . . and only after she finished her stories would they make love.

She decorated the prince's bed with pink lotus flowers petals every night. She spread beautiful fragrant perfumes over his bed. While she was telling her stories, she fed him exotic fruits and delicious nuts and poured the best wines from around the world. Making love with him was like worshipping for her.

She had a vivid imagination so the prince was entranced by the stories she told. The stories were coming from the depths of her heart, in fact.
Then, in response to her fervent request, the prince made an important decision . . . to let her take him wherever she wanted. The woman was taking the prince to wonderland every night on his flying carpet and telling him untold stories.

While he was listening to her heart-felt stories, he saw the deep love in her own heart for him. Her heart was so innocent and pure . . . so simple . . . she had just opened herself to him without hiding any single thing. She was so happy just to be in his presence and she was not asking or expecting anything more than that.

After some time, he felt ‘’water’’ rising inside him and knew he would never be able to contain it. The unstoppable surge was flowing directly towards her pure heart. The prince was unable to understand what was happening to him and encouraged her to keep inventing her captivating tales.

One night, out of the blue, he had a dream that he was a dolphin and the girl was a mermaid. They were swimming in the deep sea and the love they were feeling for each other was like an island in the ocean, rain in the desert and shelter in the storm.

He woke up with a joyful heart and saw the village girl lying peacefully next to him. Suddenly, he saw a vision in which his female side and his male side were coming together in the ocean and fusing into one. Although he had never cried before in his life, the tears started to stream from his eyes and he realized he had forgiven the woman inside him and was deeply in love with her.

Suddenly, the young girl awoke and immediately embraced him with all her love. He knew from deep within his heart that the woman inside him was just the reflection of a wonderful girl who was telling stories with great patience every single day without any fear of death. He admired her for her love and courage.

He jumped from the bed and opened the door. The executioner was waiting outside as usual. The prince told him that he would not be needed anymore.
Then he came back inside and embraced her and said he was so happy being next to her and only wanted to be with her always and forever. He knew from deep within his heart that their life together would be full of joy and peace, with nothing but colourful dreams . . . colourful dreams . . .
They lived happily ever after.

They know they will certainly meet again and again in every new life . . . and she will still be telling stories . . . and he will still be listening ...

Three apples fell from heaven:
One for the prince
One for the village girl
And one for the story teller . . .

(This story was written by Funda Erdemir in 2008, inspired by ''1001 Arabian Nights''. It was published in her story book named ''Mermaid Stories for Adults'' in February 2011.)

I thank Mr. Alan Hewat for editing the story for my English . Thanks Al!