The Tale of the Youth Who Set Out to Learn What Fear Was
Long ago, in a small village near a dark forest, there lived a poor man with his two sons. The elder son was clever, cautious, and well respected by everyone. The younger son, however, was quite different. He was simple-minded, cheerful, and fearless—so fearless that he did not understand what fear meant at all.
Whenever people spoke of frightening things—ghosts, spirits, or haunted places—the younger son only laughed. If someone shivered in the cold or trembled in the night, he would ask innocently, “Why are you shaking? What does it mean to be afraid?”
His father tried many times to explain fear to him, but the boy could not understand. One night, when stories of ghosts were being told by the fire, the youth said, “Father, I want to learn what fear is. Everyone speaks of it, but I have never felt it.”
His father sighed and said, “You are hopeless. If you wish to learn fear, you must go out into the world and find it yourself.”
And so, with nothing but a loaf of bread and a good heart, the youth set out on his journey.
The First Night on the Road
The youth walked all day until night fell. He came to a crossroads where a gallows stood. Seven men who had once been thieves were hanging there, swaying in the wind.
An old man nearby warned him, “Do not stay here tonight. These spirits will haunt you.”
The youth replied cheerfully, “That sounds interesting. Perhaps I will learn fear here.”
He sat beneath the gallows, built a fire, and warmed himself. When midnight came, the wind blew cold, and the bodies above him rattled.
“Poor fellows,” said the youth. “You must be cold.”
He climbed up, cut them down, and placed them near the fire to warm them. When they did not move, he shook them and scolded them for being lazy. Soon the bodies stiffened again, and the youth became annoyed.
“This is no place to learn fear,” he said and continued on his way the next morning.
The Haunted Inn
The next evening, the youth arrived at an inn. The innkeeper warned him, “No one stays here anymore. The house is haunted.”
“That is exactly what I am looking for,” said the youth happily.
The innkeeper shook his head and gave him a room. At midnight, strange noises echoed through the house. Shadows moved along the walls, and ghostly figures appeared.
A ghost rolled a barrel into the room. Another followed with loud laughter. Soon skeletons appeared, playing bowls with human skulls.
The youth watched calmly.
“Good evening,” he said politely. “May I join your game?”
The ghosts were confused. They tried to frighten him with screams and rattling bones, but the youth only laughed.
“This is entertaining,” he said. “But I still don’t feel fear.”
At dawn, the ghosts vanished, and the youth walked away disappointed.
The Castle of Terror
After many days, the youth reached a great kingdom. The king was troubled, for a haunted castle stood nearby. Anyone who spent three nights there never returned.
The king declared, “Whoever stays in the castle for three nights and survives shall have my daughter’s hand in marriage and half my kingdom.”
Many brave men had tried and failed.
The youth stepped forward. “I will stay in the castle. Perhaps I will learn fear there.”
The king looked at him in doubt but agreed. He gave the youth food, firewood, and a warning: “Take care. No one has survived.”
First Night in the Castle
As night fell, the youth sat by the fire. At midnight, a loud voice cried, “I am cold!”
“Come warm yourself,” the youth replied.
Half a man fell down the chimney. Then another half followed. Together they became whole and began to play dice.
They argued and fought. In anger, the youth grabbed them and threw them out of the window.
“That’s enough,” he said. “You are disturbing my sleep.”
He lay down and slept peacefully.
Second Night of Terror
The next night, the noise grew louder. Coffins slid across the floor. Dead men rose and danced wildly.
The youth watched calmly. When they became too noisy, he scolded them and struck them with an iron bar. They vanished at once.
Still, the youth said, “I have not learned fear.”
The Third and Final Night
On the third night, a tall, dark figure appeared with glowing eyes. It spoke in a deep voice.
“You have beaten all others. Now face me.”
The figure showed him a chest full of gold and revealed that an evil spell had haunted the castle.
The youth broke the spell by showing courage and honesty. The spirits disappeared forever.
The castle was freed.
Marriage and a New Life
The king kept his promise. The youth married the princess and became rich and respected.
Yet he still complained, “I have traveled so far, but I still do not know what fear is.”
At Last, Fear Is Learned
One night, the princess decided to teach him. While he slept, she poured a bucket of cold water filled with small fish over him.
The youth awoke, shivering and crying, “Now I know! Now I know what fear is!”
Themes and Meaning
- Fear is not always found in monsters
- Courage can break evil spells
- Experience teaches more than words
Moral of the Story
Sometimes, what we seek is found in the most unexpected way.
Conclusion
“The Tale of the Youth Who Set Out to Learn What Fear Was” is a timeless fairy tale reminding us that bravery and innocence can overcome even the darkest fears.
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