Once upon a time, there was a merchant. He was extremely wealthy. But after his death, his son quickly squandered all the money and finally had only an old chest left. Although this son became poor, he was born optimistic and liked to fantasize.
One day, he heard that the princess in a far - away country was very beautiful and kind - hearted. So he decided to pursue the princess. He set off with the only chest he had. This chest was no ordinary one. It had a magical power. When the young man sat on the chest and thought about the place he wanted to go in his mind, the chest would fly him there.
He sat on the flying chest, flew over mountains and rivers, and soon arrived in the country where the princess was. He landed in the palace garden and happened to see the princess taking a walk in the garden. The princess was wearing a magnificent dress and was as beautiful as a fairy. The young man was attracted by the princess's beauty. He summoned up his courage and walked towards the princess, and told her of his love. The princess was very surprised, but also curious about this suddenly - appearing young man.
The princess invited the young man into the palace. Inside the palace, the young man told his story. Of course, he hid the fact that he was poor and also exaggerated the magic of the flying chest a great deal. The princess was very interested after hearing it. She thought this young man was full of mystery and charm. So she decided to get along with the young man for a while to see if he was really suitable for her.
In the following days, the young man and the princess spent a lot of happy times in the palace. They danced together, ate together, and enjoyed the flowers in the garden together. The young man took the princess flying above the palace with the flying chest, letting the princess see a different view. The princess liked this young man more and more. She thought he was the one she had been waiting for.
However, the good times didn't last long. One day, the young man accidentally said something wrong, and his lie was discovered by the king. The king was very angry. He thought this young man had deceived the princess's feelings. He ordered the young man to be locked in prison and the flying chest to be burned.
The young man was locked in the dark prison. He regretted his lie very much. He knew that he had lost the princess and also his freedom. He missed the princess every day in prison, hoping to have a chance to apologize to her.
On the square of the palace, the flying chest was placed on a pile of firewood. The soldiers lit the firewood, and the flying chest was soon swallowed by the big fire. With the burning of the flying chest, the young man's last hope seemed to be shattered.
Finally, the young man could only spend the rest of his life in prison. This once - hopeful and romantic adventure ended in tragedy because of the lie. This story tells us that honesty is very important, even on the road to the pursuit of love.
