The Fairy Aurora facts for kids
Quick facts for kids "The Fairy Aurora" |
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| Author | Ioan Slavici |
| Original title | "Zâna Zorilor" |
| Country | United Principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia |
| Language | Romanian |
| Genre(s) | fairy tale |
| Published in | Convorbiri Literare |
| Publication type | Art magazine |
| Publication date | June 1872 |
The Fairy Aurora is a classic fairy tale from Romania. Its original name in Romanian is "Zâna Zorilor," which means "Fairy of Dawn." The famous Romanian writer Ioan Slavici wrote this story. It was first published in June 1872 in a magazine called Convorbiri Literare.
A well-known poet, Mihai Eminescu, encouraged Ioan Slavici to write this tale. It was even read aloud at a famous literary group called Junimea before it was printed. Later, in 1885, the story was published in English as "The Fairy Aurora." It was part of a collection called Roumanian Fairy Tales in New York City.
Contents
The Story of The Fairy Aurora
This magical story begins with a powerful ruler of a huge empire. He has a strange secret: one of his eyes always laughs, while the other always cries. Only he knows why. He has three sons: Florea, Costan, and Petru. Each son asks their father about his mysterious eyes.
Only the youngest son, Petru, finally gets the answer. The Emperor cries because he worries that after he is gone, his sons won't be able to protect their land from enemies. He believes that only water from the special fountain of the Fairy of the Dawn can make both his eyes laugh again.
The Brothers' Quest
Florea and Costan, the older brothers, decide to go on this dangerous quest first. They face a fierce dragon guarding a bridge. After escaping the dragon, they never return home.
Young Petru then decides to try his luck. At first, he is not as successful as his brothers. But his old nurse, back at the palace, gives him wise advice. She tells him to take the Emperor's old and trusted horse. This horse is no ordinary animal; it is magical and can run at incredible speeds.
Petru's Triumph
With the help of this amazing horse, Prince Petru manages to kill the dragon. He crosses the dangerous bridge and arrives in a vast, empty desert. His journey to find the Fairy of the Dawn's water continues from there.
Around the World: Translations
The Fairy Aurora has been enjoyed by children and adults in many countries. It has been translated into different languages.
The famous Scottish writer Andrew Lang included a version of this Romanian tale in his Violet Fairy Book. He called his translation The Fairy of the Dawn. In his version, the king also has one weeping eye and one laughing eye. He seeks the water from the Fairy of the Dawn's fountain to make both eyes happy again.
The story was also translated into German in 1882. This version was called Die Fee der Morgenröthe. It was translated by Mite Kremnitz and Petre Ispirescu.
