The Tale of a Raven: A Fable of Love, Sacrifice, and Magic

Once, in the enchanting kingdom of Shady-Grove, lived King Milluccio, a monarch more devoted to hunting than ruling his realm. Whether it was the trail of a swift hare or the fleeting flight of a thrush, Milluccio chased his passions deep into the wilderness, ignoring the more pressing matters of his court and people.

One day, while hunting in a dense, ancient thicket—a place so wild even the chariots of the sun dared not enter—Milluccio stumbled upon a striking sight: a raven, freshly killed, lay upon a smooth, white marble stone. Its deep black feathers, stark against the crimson blood that stained the marble, formed a vision so vivid that it struck the king to his core.

Sighing heavily, the King whispered to himself, “O heavens! Why can I not have a wife whose skin is as pale as this marble, lips as red as the raven’s blood, and hair as dark as these feathers?”

So intense was this desire that it rooted itself in his heart, growing ever larger and consuming his thoughts. He became obsessed, seeing that imagined beauty wherever he turned, until he wasted away, thin as a reed, his eyes haunted by his impossible yearning.

Witnessing his brother’s decline, Prince Jennariello, deeply concerned, pleaded with Milluccio to share the cause of his melancholy. After much persuasion, the king confessed his longing, born from the vision of the marble, the blood, and the raven.

Determined to help, Jennariello swore to search the world to find a woman who matched this impossible ideal.

The Quest for Beauty

Jennariello set sail in a grand merchant ship, disguised as a trader. He journeyed far, first to Venice, then Cairo, trading precious goods and searching for the beauty his brother desired.

In Cairo, he bought a magnificent falcon and a noble steed, intending them as gifts for Milluccio. But destiny intervened when Jennariello encountered a clever beggar who, upon hearing his quest, offered an unusual solution. He would beg at the home of a magician’s daughter, and Jennariello was to observe her.

When the girl, named Liviella, answered the beggar’s call, Jennariello’s heart leapt—she was the living image of the marble vision! To ensure her safe passage to Shady-Grove, Jennariello disguised himself as a pedlar, luring Liviella onto his ship with promises of exquisite wares. The moment she was aboard, Jennariello set sail, bringing her to his brother, though not without calming her outrage with assurances of love and grandeur.

The Prophecy of the Doves

As they crossed the sea, a storm gathered. At the mast, Jennariello spotted two doves perched on the rigging. As he listened, he heard them reveal dreadful prophecies:

1. The falcon he carried would peck out Milluccio’s eyes.

2. The horse would break his neck the first time he rode it.

3. And worst of all, on the wedding night, a ferocious dragon would devour both the King and his new bride.

If Jennariello warned his brother or refused to deliver the gifts, he himself would be turned to stone.

Torn between duty and love for his brother, Jennariello resolved to silently protect him, sacrificing the falcon and horse by destroying them, much to Milluccio’s confusion and anger.

The Dragon and the Betrayal

On the wedding night, Jennariello secretly stood guard in the royal chamber. At midnight, the terrible dragon appeared, smoke and flame pouring from its gaping maw. Jennariello fought fiercely and slew the beast, but not before accidentally striking a bedpost in the melee.

Awakened and seeing the scene—his brother with sword drawn, the post hacked apart—Milluccio believed Jennariello meant to murder him. Furious, he had him arrested and condemned to death, despite Queen Liviella’s pleas for mercy.

Facing execution, Jennariello revealed the truth—about the doves’ prophecies, his silence to avoid becoming stone, and his desperate efforts to save his brother’s life. As he confessed, his body stiffened, limb by limb, until he was turned entirely to stone.

Redemption and Reunion

Milluccio, grief-stricken and remorseful, mourned his brother deeply. Time passed, and Liviella gave birth to two sons, radiant as the morning sun.

One day, while the King wept before the stone statue of his brother, an old man appeared, offering a cure: if Milluccio smeared the statue with the blood of his two sons, Jennariello would return to life.

Without hesitation, the King sacrificed his beloved children, reviving his brother with their innocent blood. But the joy of reunion was clouded by sorrow for the loss of his sons.

Yet fate had one more twist—when Queen Liviella returned, the King revealed what he had done, and as her heart broke, she prepared to end her life. At that moment, her father, the magician, appeared, declaring that all this had been a test of their character and love.

He restored the children to life, forgave Jennariello, and blessed the family. Milluccio embraced his brother, Liviella rejoiced with her sons, and Shady-Grove knew peace once more.

✅ Moral of the Story

True love and loyalty may demand sacrifice and suffering, but sincerity and courage will eventually prevail. One must not judge hastily, for appearances can deceive, and understanding often hides beneath layers of mystery.