The Dragon and the Princess

 


The Dragon and the Princess

Once upon a time, in a beautiful kingdom nestled by the Adriatic Sea in Croatia, there lived a kind and intelligent princess named Milena. The kingdom was peaceful and prosperous, but it was also guarded by an ancient and terrifying dragon that had made its home in a distant mountain cave. The dragon had lived there for centuries, and its roar could be heard echoing across the land, sending shivers down the spines of the people.

The dragon was feared by all, for it had been said that it demanded a yearly tribute from the kingdom: a beautiful young maiden to satisfy its hunger. If the tribute was not offered, the dragon would set the entire kingdom on fire with its fiery breath.

Each year, a young woman from the village would be chosen to be sent to the dragon, and each year, the villagers feared for the safety of their daughters. When it was Princess Milena’s turn to be chosen, the kingdom was filled with sorrow. Her parents, the king and queen, were heartbroken but knew that there was no way to avoid the dragon’s wrath.

However, Princess Milena was not afraid. She was known for her wisdom and bravery, and instead of cowering in fear like the others, she decided to face the dragon herself. She was determined to find a way to end the terror once and for all.

The Journey to the Mountain

With courage in her heart, Milena set off alone, armed with nothing but her intelligence and a small bag of provisions. She climbed the steep mountain paths, determined to reach the dragon’s cave and find a way to free her kingdom from its fear. As she neared the cave, the air grew heavy, and the earth trembled with each of the dragon's roars.

But instead of charging in with force, Milena approached the dragon’s lair with grace. She called out to the dragon, "Oh mighty creature, I come not to fight, but to speak. I have heard your sorrow and understand your loneliness. Why do you terrorize the kingdom?"

The dragon, startled by her courage and words, paused and listened. The dragon’s eyes, which had always burned with fiery rage, softened. "I am bound to this cave by a curse," the dragon replied in a deep, echoing voice. "Long ago, I was once a prince, but I angered a powerful sorceress. She turned me into a dragon, and every year I must claim a maiden to feed my soul, or the curse will never be broken."

Breaking the Curse

Princess Milena listened intently and then spoke with wisdom: "Perhaps it is not hunger that drives you, but a need for companionship. I believe the sorceress’s curse can only be broken by true kindness and sacrifice, not by terror."

The dragon, moved by her words, realized that he had been alone for centuries, and his heart had been hardened by isolation and anger. Milena gently touched the dragon’s scaly hide and said, "If you are willing to try, I will help you break the curse. I will stay with you for as long as it takes, and together, we can find a way to restore you to your true form."

The dragon hesitated, but the kindness in Milena’s heart was impossible to ignore. They agreed that she would stay by the dragon’s side, and together, they would search for the sorceress who had cursed him.

The Transformation

After many days of searching, Milena and the dragon found the sorceress deep in the forest. The sorceress, seeing Milena and the dragon together, was astonished. "You have done what no one else has done," the sorceress said. "You have shown compassion, and that is the key to breaking the curse."

With a wave of her hand, the sorceress lifted the curse, transforming the dragon back into a handsome prince. The prince, now free, fell to his knees before Princess Milena in gratitude. "You have not only saved me, but you have shown the world that kindness is more powerful than fear."

The prince and the princess returned to the kingdom, where they were celebrated as heroes. The people were overjoyed that the dragon no longer terrorized their land. Princess Milena and Prince Davor, as he was now called, fell in love and were married in a grand celebration.

Together, they ruled the kingdom with wisdom and kindness, and the kingdom flourished in peace. And so, the legend of the princess who saved the dragon became one of the most cherished tales in all of Croatia, a reminder that compassion and understanding can transform even the most fearsome of creatures.

This Croatian fairy tale teaches the power of kindness, bravery, and understanding in overcoming fear and adversity. 

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