     |
|
|
| |
|
|
Sylvain and Jocosa |
"Papa Alvin, are you gonna tell a happy one now?" asked little Maggie. "I promised I would." Papa Alvin paused and the children settled themselves. Then, he began his story, saying, "Once, long ago, there lived a boy and girl who were born to rival families. The families had feuded for so long, in fact, that neither side could remember what began their feud. Now, in situations such as this, it is not at all uncommon for the children of the rival families to fall madly in love, and so it was in this case for Sylvain and Jocosa." "Papa Alvin," interrupted Sally, "we already know a story that goes like that. And it's not a happy one!" "Ahh, do you now?" replied the grandfather. "You may recognize this part, my dear, but just you listen..." |
| A s our story begins, Sylvain and Jocosa were yet very young, and in their youthful love there was a special innocence. Jocosa thought so often of Sylvain that he rarely passed by a fragrant flower without thinking, "How lovely would Sylvain look with that flower in her hair!" For her part, Sylvain loved Jocosa so dearly that she daily brought him garlands of flowers woven into crowns to sit upon his head. Every day the two young ones met in the meadow near a babbling brook where they took their flocks of sheep to graze. Then, they clasped hands and walked together, exploring the beauty of the fields of wild flowers. They would pass the afternoons lying on soft beds of golden straw while they watched the clouds pass by above them, and in the evening they said their sweet goodbyes and returned with their flocks to their homes. So innocent and beautiful were the two young lovers that they caught the notice of the Fairy of the Meadow. She began leaving them gifts of cakes and sweetmeats which they would find on their walks, and at this they were both delighted. One day, the Fairy appeared to them and revealed that it was she who had been providing them these gifts. She led them through the meadow to wonderful places that they had never before found. Then, before parting, she said, "Long have I loved you both and treated you like my own children. I will appear to you often and always protect you here in the meadow. However, I require a favor from you both, and you must promise it to me in return for my devotion to you." Both Sylvain and Jocosa were eager to agree. "What promise can we make to return your kindness?" asked Jocosa. "I have shown you my favorite places in the meadow, including the fountain that pleases me best. Do you remember it?"  "Each day, before the sun rises, you must promise to tend to the fountain, removing any rocks, twigs or leaves that might sully it. In this way, you might prove your gratitude to me. And so long as you do this, I promise that nothing shall cause you to be parted from one another." Sylvain and Jocosa happily pledged to do as the Fairy had asked. It was a simple task, and truly the secret fountain was the most beautiful place imaginable. For the next year, everything was just as it had been prescribed. Sylvain and Jocosa came each morning to tend to the fountain, and the Fairy of the Meadow blessed them with treats and comfort such as few people have known. Then, one beautiful Spring morning--well before sunrise--both Sylvain and Jocosa started toward the fountain from their homes. The trees and flowers were in full bloom, and even in the dim light the blossoms were too tempting to pass by. Jocosa thought, "Sylvain would surely love it if I gathered these for her. Meanwhile, Sylvain's path to the fountain was just as tempting, and she thought, "I'll gather enough of these to weave a crown for Jocosa." Each of them began to pluck and gather the flowers, hoping to please their beloved. As the first glints of dawn appeared, the lovers suddenly realized their mistake. They dropped their garlands and dashed toward the fountain. They reached it at the same time from opposite sides, and--just as their eyes met--the sun awoke from out its nightly repose. Sunbeams glistened upon the placid water, and--for a moment--they dared to hope that their lapse had gone unnoticed. Just then there came a rumble and an explosion of water from the fountain. Sylvain and Jocosa reached out to take the other's hand, but now a gushing torrent separated them. "Sylvain!" he shouted. "Jocosa!" she yelled. But their attempts to reach one another were in vain. It was now a raging river. Time and again they dove into the turbulent water, only to be cast back upon the shore or carried swiftly downstream. Soon, they began to lose sight of one another, and each one feared that the other might drown. But they would not give up. They ran along the riverbank hoping eventually to find a way to cross, but it only widened until they could no longer make out the other standing on the opposite side. For three years they tried in vain, carried onward only by their devotion to the other. At last they came to the place where the river emptied into the sea. There, standing cliff-side across a vast chasm, the Fairy of the Meadow appeared to each of them. "You have paid a dear price for breaking your promise, but your unending devotion to one another has touched my heart. For this reason, I give you a second chance. And if you have grown from this hardship--and learned better to keep your promises--you will live happily for the rest of your lives." And so they did; and so they did. |
Then, the children shouted in concert: "I liked that one." "Another happy one!" "One more, Papa! Pleeease?" "Alright. Alright," said Papa Alvin. "One more, but then off to bed. This one is called... The White Wolf!" |
Bibliographical Information: Author: Andrew Lang Year Published: 1892 Web Source: The Green Fairy Book |
Back
to Cover Page Back to Introduction Story 1 - Eisenkopf Story 2 - The Yara Story 4 - The White Wolf |
| Image
Web Source: Young
Lovers, from Zorger Image Web Source: Fountain and Water Lilies from Painters Online |