THE TREASURE OF THE DWARVES

by Irenej Šraml, 7. c

There was a small village somewhere on the mountain. It was very beautiful. Invisible dwarves ruled it. They were invisible only for guests. They were honest and polite. The people knew that they had a treasure. But they didn't know how to get it. A lot of people came to the village. They could enter only over a bridge. The bridge weighed everyone. When a guest left the village, he had to weigh the same as when he entered it. If he didn't, the bridge threw him into the river.

One prince lived in a kingdom. He wasn't very rich. He vied with another prince for a beautiful and a rich princess. He heard about the treasure of the village, too. He wanted to get it for the princess.

He came into the village. He was thirsty. He stopped in an inn. He saw a beautiful girl. He was entertained in the inn. The people served him delicious food. After a few days he asked her how he could get the treasure. He had to wait till he night. He heard voices. They led him into the cave. There was a door. Then he saw a big stone with instructions. He had to go through three rooms where he had to complete three tasks. In the first room the invisible dwarves tickled him but he wasn't allowed to laugh. In the second room the dwarves teased him but he wasn't allowed to rouse. He did both tasks. In the third room the dwarves asked him three difficult questions. He knew only two answers. He was very sad. He thought the treasure would be his.

He went to the inn. The girl comforted him. She showed him the beauties of the village. They talked a lot. The prince became aware that the girl was very nice. They fell in love. The prince didn't return to his kingdom.

A few months later they married. In a year they had a son born to them. The prince didn't wish the treasure anymore. After this he could see the dwarves.

The prince and his wife lived happily to their end.