TALES FROM MY GRANDMOTHER’S MAGICAL QUERNSTONE:
Nunja, the Ogre and Zahar
Written By Mimoun Zeggai
1.
Once upon a time, there was a kingdom far in the east, Gemsoul Kingdom. A loveable and fair king, Gingibar, ruled Gemsoul with Queen Leila. Their son, Prince Zahar, was handsome and brave. He was twenty and several days old. All the subjects of the kingdom loved Zahar, the king and the queen who were looking for a wife for him. She was supposed to be the kingdom princess.
His uncle, Jaafar, the king’s brother, was, on the contrary, a wicked man. So miserable that he wanted the monarchy for him. However, there was an obstacle: Zahar. One day, he remembered Chatamata, the witch and murmured: “Oh yes, she’s the only person who can help me get rid of Zahar, my dear nephew. I shall pay her a visit.”
The next morning, he rode his black horse and headed for the sombre, mysterious forest where the witch’s abode slept in mischievous, dreary silence. Just looking at the house could make the bravest knights’ hearts melt into a frightful fright. He got off his horse and knocked at the door.
“Who?” said the witch loudly.
Birds flew away, petrified, when they heard her scary, jugged voice.
“It’s only me, Jaafar, the king’s brother.”
“What, by the hell, brought you here?”
“I want you to find a way to get rid of my nephew, Zahar.”
“Kill him, I guess.”
“Kind of.”
“Get lost, old man! Never speak again or…”
“What if you got half of the king’s throne in return?”
Once hearing that, the ugly witch opened the door. A stenchful odour of dead animals came out from the house. Jaafar could see animals’ heads hanging in the darkness.
“A witchy affair it is, then. Go and wait for the hatchy news!”
Birds flew away, petrified, when they heard her scary, jugged voice.
“It’s only me, Jaafar, the king’s brother.”
“What, by the hell, brought you here?”
“I want you to find a way to get rid of my nephew, Zahar.”
“Kill him, I guess.”
“Kind of.”
“Get lost, old man! Never speak again or…”
“What if you got half of the king’s throne in return?”
Once hearing that, the ugly witch opened the door. A stenchful odour of dead animals came out from the house. Jaafar could see animals’ heads hanging in the darkness.
“A witchy affair it is, then. Go and wait for the hatchy news!”
Jaafar returned home, happy and joyful. That night he dreamt himself worn in a golden gown stitched minutely with silk made from the Moon’s powder and embellished with the most precious gems and emeralds. On his head a crystalline crown and in his left hand he was holding a sceptre.
On the other side of the globe, there was the most beautiful lady on earth, Nunja, the daughter of a ferocious ogre. Oh, yes, an ogre. A witch once threw a witched spell on him and turned him into an ugly, big ogre. From that time on, especially when Nunja’s mother passed away, he decided to keep Nunja closed in a room at the top of the tower of the castle where no one lived, but he, Nunja and of course two very big dogs, that were day and night keeping an eye over Nunja so as not to escape, and over strangers who would come to ask her for marriage.
Unfortunately, none of them ever lived. All of them either crashed by a huge moving rock that protected the only entrance that lead to the castle, or devoured by wild dogs. Apart from this entrance, there were high treacherous mountains. So, the only entry was that dangerous passage. And he who dared pass got crashed like a rotten tomato. In addition, those who succeeded met their unexpected destiny and devoured either by the ogre or by the two dogs.
2.
A day after the conspiracy, Prince Zahar went hunting all alone. He was brave. He inherited bravery form his father, the king. After several hours, he got thirsty, so he went to a clearing inside the forest where there was the lone well. While he was drinking from a wooden bucket, he heard a voice from behind.
“Your majesty,” said the voice.
Zahar turned suspiciously and said: “What do you want, lady?”
“You seem a brave man!” said the lady, getting nearer and nearer. “But, you need one thing.”
“What is it?” Said Zahar curiously.
“A beautiful wife to complete the string of your gallantry.”
“I know! But where shall I find such a dream?”
“I think I can help you.” Said the woman mischievously. “Her name’s Nunja.
“Nunja,” said Zahar. A name that sounded gems and jewels when pronounced.
“I can’t tell you about the amount of beauty she’s endowed with: a long golden straight hair. Longer than what one could imagine. Her face is a full moon in a dark night. Her cheeks as rosy as sunset rays. A smile that heals wounds and soothes woes. Eyes, oh her eyes! A wonder of the Seven Wonders of the World, green like gems stuck on a golden thrown.
Zahar was so puzzled by the woman’s description that his mind drew an epic image of her. This was interrupted by the woman’s “But!”
“But what? Said Zahar.
“She’s the daughter of an ogre who kills anyone who dares get into his castle. So many brave men lost their lives there.”
Unfortunately, none of them ever lived. All of them either crashed by a huge moving rock that protected the only entrance that lead to the castle, or devoured by wild dogs. Apart from this entrance, there were high treacherous mountains. So, the only entry was that dangerous passage. And he who dared pass got crashed like a rotten tomato. In addition, those who succeeded met their unexpected destiny and devoured either by the ogre or by the two dogs.
2.
A day after the conspiracy, Prince Zahar went hunting all alone. He was brave. He inherited bravery form his father, the king. After several hours, he got thirsty, so he went to a clearing inside the forest where there was the lone well. While he was drinking from a wooden bucket, he heard a voice from behind.
“Your majesty,” said the voice.
Zahar turned suspiciously and said: “What do you want, lady?”
“You seem a brave man!” said the lady, getting nearer and nearer. “But, you need one thing.”
“What is it?” Said Zahar curiously.
“A beautiful wife to complete the string of your gallantry.”
“I know! But where shall I find such a dream?”
“I think I can help you.” Said the woman mischievously. “Her name’s Nunja.
“Nunja,” said Zahar. A name that sounded gems and jewels when pronounced.
“I can’t tell you about the amount of beauty she’s endowed with: a long golden straight hair. Longer than what one could imagine. Her face is a full moon in a dark night. Her cheeks as rosy as sunset rays. A smile that heals wounds and soothes woes. Eyes, oh her eyes! A wonder of the Seven Wonders of the World, green like gems stuck on a golden thrown.
Zahar was so puzzled by the woman’s description that his mind drew an epic image of her. This was interrupted by the woman’s “But!”
“But what? Said Zahar.
“She’s the daughter of an ogre who kills anyone who dares get into his castle. So many brave men lost their lives there.”
Then, to see the prince’s reaction and get him hooked, she turned as if she was leaving.
“How did they die?” Said the prince.
Now the lady, who was no one but the wicked witch, smiled. She turned and said:
“My answer needs a price, your majesty.”
“I will give you anything you would like.”
“Oh, don’t misunderstand me, your majesty. I need nothing. All I wanted to say is that the price to get Nunja is courage.”
“But I am courageous.”
“I know your majesty. Your bravery precedes your presence.”
After the witch showed him how he could get there, she left without informing him about the biggest obstacle: the big moving rock, hoping it would crash the prince, and this way she would get rid of him and receive the price she had never thought she would win without anything mentioned.
“How did they die?” Said the prince.
Now the lady, who was no one but the wicked witch, smiled. She turned and said:
“My answer needs a price, your majesty.”
“I will give you anything you would like.”
“Oh, don’t misunderstand me, your majesty. I need nothing. All I wanted to say is that the price to get Nunja is courage.”
“But I am courageous.”
“I know your majesty. Your bravery precedes your presence.”
After the witch showed him how he could get there, she left without informing him about the biggest obstacle: the big moving rock, hoping it would crash the prince, and this way she would get rid of him and receive the price she had never thought she would win without anything mentioned.
Prince Zahar, so motivated, returned home and spent the night thinking about Nunja and how he could save her. The next morning, while he was having breakfast with his father and mother, he heard the king talk about Nasrudin, the wise lord of the kingdom. This gave our prince a ray of hope. He told the king and the queen about his journey, but he did not tell them about the mission since it was indeed dangerous. All he said was that he would go and bring the kingdom the princess of his dreams. He paid them farewell, and headed for the wise lord on Pegasus, his white horse. Once there, Nasrudin warned him that all who had thought to make that adventure perished.
“But you know I am brave. Two dogs and an ogre won’t be an obstacle.”
“The problem is not them. It’s the moving rock that murks over and crashes everyone daring to go through the passage that leads to the castle where Princess Nunja is imprisoned.”
Seeing Zahar’s instance, Nasrudin said:
“Maybe there’s one possible way to go through the passage without being hurt. But it’s risky!”
“How?” said Zahar impatiently.
“Well, you must run as fast as you can, waiting for the right time and the right opportunity. Remember, one chance in and one out. If you fail, forget about seeing the light again.”
3.
Equipped with courage, the prince rode Pegasus as fast as he could through lurking forests, valleys, mostly rugged, grey and watchful mountains. After a long day and a tiring night, he at last arrived at his final destination and destiny. As the time was still dark, he decided to spend the night in a grotto.
Once the morning sunrays touched our brave prince’s skin, he got up and ate a red, luscious apple he had picked on his way. Then he got on Pegasus, and got near the passage. He took his time watching the opening and closing rock. With some precise calculations in mind, he rode as swiftly as a flash of lightning, and luckily, he could move on to the other side sound and safe. He knew there were two fierce dogs waiting for him. That’s why he had hunted a big dear he put behind him on Pegasus to serve him as a bait. He left the horse away from any expected danger, carried the deer and went slowly towards the castle. As soon as he saw one of the two dogs sleeping in front of the gate, he put the deer a little far and hid behind a rock. Then he threw a big stone in the direction of the deer. Hearing that noise, the dog went to eat the poisonous deer and died immediately.
“The problem is not them. It’s the moving rock that murks over and crashes everyone daring to go through the passage that leads to the castle where Princess Nunja is imprisoned.”
Seeing Zahar’s instance, Nasrudin said:
“Maybe there’s one possible way to go through the passage without being hurt. But it’s risky!”
“How?” said Zahar impatiently.
“Well, you must run as fast as you can, waiting for the right time and the right opportunity. Remember, one chance in and one out. If you fail, forget about seeing the light again.”
3.
Equipped with courage, the prince rode Pegasus as fast as he could through lurking forests, valleys, mostly rugged, grey and watchful mountains. After a long day and a tiring night, he at last arrived at his final destination and destiny. As the time was still dark, he decided to spend the night in a grotto.
Once the morning sunrays touched our brave prince’s skin, he got up and ate a red, luscious apple he had picked on his way. Then he got on Pegasus, and got near the passage. He took his time watching the opening and closing rock. With some precise calculations in mind, he rode as swiftly as a flash of lightning, and luckily, he could move on to the other side sound and safe. He knew there were two fierce dogs waiting for him. That’s why he had hunted a big dear he put behind him on Pegasus to serve him as a bait. He left the horse away from any expected danger, carried the deer and went slowly towards the castle. As soon as he saw one of the two dogs sleeping in front of the gate, he put the deer a little far and hid behind a rock. Then he threw a big stone in the direction of the deer. Hearing that noise, the dog went to eat the poisonous deer and died immediately.
However, the gate was closed, so all Zahar could do was to call Nunja who opened the window and said:
“Who are you?”
“I’m Prince Zahar. I’ve come to save you and take you to Gemsoul Kingdom. You’ll be my princess.”
Happy to hear the good news, she threw her golden long hair that started to become longer and longer until it reached the prince. He held it firmly and climbed up the high tower. Luckily, for him, once up there, Nunja’s father, the ogre, returned home. He smelled the scent of a human being. He went up the tower and opened the door. He was afraid someone had taken his only child. Nevertheless, Nunja was there lying in her bed, eyes peacefully closed.
“Nunja, wake up,” said the ogre.
“What’s up, dad? Said Nunja, stretching her arm, and trying to stifle a radiant yawn.
“Is there anybody here? I’ve whiffed the smell of the son of Adam.
“Ok, Dad! You’re right! Someone called, I opened the window. He was an old, hungry man. I threw him something to eat, and he went away.”
Not so sure about what Nunja said, he went downstairs to his bedroom, and fell asleep. He was tired after such a whole, long, tiring day. Prince Zahar was hiding inside a wardrobe, and covered in Nunja’s long robe to conceal his odour behind the flowers of her sweet odour that smelled like the ambrosial odour of wild flowers.
“Who are you?”
“I’m Prince Zahar. I’ve come to save you and take you to Gemsoul Kingdom. You’ll be my princess.”
Happy to hear the good news, she threw her golden long hair that started to become longer and longer until it reached the prince. He held it firmly and climbed up the high tower. Luckily, for him, once up there, Nunja’s father, the ogre, returned home. He smelled the scent of a human being. He went up the tower and opened the door. He was afraid someone had taken his only child. Nevertheless, Nunja was there lying in her bed, eyes peacefully closed.
“Nunja, wake up,” said the ogre.
“What’s up, dad? Said Nunja, stretching her arm, and trying to stifle a radiant yawn.
“Is there anybody here? I’ve whiffed the smell of the son of Adam.
“Ok, Dad! You’re right! Someone called, I opened the window. He was an old, hungry man. I threw him something to eat, and he went away.”
Not so sure about what Nunja said, he went downstairs to his bedroom, and fell asleep. He was tired after such a whole, long, tiring day. Prince Zahar was hiding inside a wardrobe, and covered in Nunja’s long robe to conceal his odour behind the flowers of her sweet odour that smelled like the ambrosial odour of wild flowers.
Nunja called him to get out. Then she informed him that her dad was asleep. She knew he wouldn’t get up until the next morning. Zahar took a dagger and managed to open the locked door. Unfortunately, the other dog was waiting for them in front of the door. No sooner had the dog wanted to attack them than Zahar threw its snout with a sleeping substance. Its effect was miraculous. It fell asleep, too, like its master. It was the golden chance our hero was looking for to take Nunja and flee as fast as possible from this fortress.
4.
They got on Pegasus and rode away. Just a few seconds after, the dog regained consciousness, went towards her master’s bedroom door, and started barking as loudly as it could. As the effect of the potion was still strong, it fell down dizzily. The ogre got up frightened, and ran up the tower to discover that Nunja had gone.
4.
They got on Pegasus and rode away. Just a few seconds after, the dog regained consciousness, went towards her master’s bedroom door, and started barking as loudly as it could. As the effect of the potion was still strong, it fell down dizzily. The ogre got up frightened, and ran up the tower to discover that Nunja had gone.
Furiously, he went towards the passage to see who could have dared take his daughter. He was so fast that he could see Nunja behind the son of Adam on horseback. He shouted and shouted for Nunja to get off the horse. But Nunja was fed up spending her whole life behind a closed door. She wanted to feel she was a human being. She wanted to be loved by someone she would take as a husband and father of her kids. She wanted to touch the sweet soul of life. Zahar, aware of the risky situation they were trapped in, was now more than confident about the right time to skip the hazardous moving rock.
The ogre, who just a few steps away from them, was also adamant to get back his own jewel. Still, he was totally unaware of the rock. Zahar swiftly rode to the other side safe and sound, whereas the ogre fell to the ground in a lapse of time, the huge rock on his crashed body.
“Nunjaaaaa,” said the regretful ogre. “I’m sorry daughter for all the sufferings I’ve created in your life. Yet, I’m sure you know I do really love you. You have always been my only world, my kingdom and my life.”
Zahar, hearing him pronounce those heartrending words stopped. Nunja looked back at him, eyes filled with ponds of tears, and heart squeezed by the hands of grief, and said:
“I know father. You, too, have been my only world and refuge.”
The ogre, a soft smile on his face, passed away. And his story, which, for years, had been a nightmarish fright to the bravest kings, princes and knights, came to a tragic, sorrowful end.
The ogre, who just a few steps away from them, was also adamant to get back his own jewel. Still, he was totally unaware of the rock. Zahar swiftly rode to the other side safe and sound, whereas the ogre fell to the ground in a lapse of time, the huge rock on his crashed body.
“Nunjaaaaa,” said the regretful ogre. “I’m sorry daughter for all the sufferings I’ve created in your life. Yet, I’m sure you know I do really love you. You have always been my only world, my kingdom and my life.”
Zahar, hearing him pronounce those heartrending words stopped. Nunja looked back at him, eyes filled with ponds of tears, and heart squeezed by the hands of grief, and said:
“I know father. You, too, have been my only world and refuge.”
The ogre, a soft smile on his face, passed away. And his story, which, for years, had been a nightmarish fright to the bravest kings, princes and knights, came to a tragic, sorrowful end.
Zahar rode Nunja to Gemsoul kingdom. There the king and the queen welcomed her cheerfully. They did not only consider her their son’s wife, but also a daughter they had always dreamt to have. The kingdom entered an era of love and peace when Zahar and Nunja got married. The whole kingdom attended the festivities and enjoyed the happy moments that blossomed both the heavens and the ground.
On the other hand, hearing the glad news, the witch died of grief, and Jaafar, hopeless to get what he had been planning and dreaming of, went far away from the kingdom. No one had ever heard of him again.
The end
Finished 28/06/2020
On the other hand, hearing the glad news, the witch died of grief, and Jaafar, hopeless to get what he had been planning and dreaming of, went far away from the kingdom. No one had ever heard of him again.
The end
Finished 28/06/2020