AncientTales

OLD BEFANA

An Italian legend set in the days of Ancient Rome, tells of an elderly woman so consumed with her everyday chores, she misses a chance to join the three Wise Men as they travel to Bethlehem. As the story opens, old Befana shops in a colorful market. She then walks home, where she attends to her many household duties. As the years pass, old Befana becomes so busy in her little cottage, she fails to see God's beauty as revealed in her village, the butterflies, the wildflowers, the crystalline water in the fountain, the changing of the seasons. Then, late one night, Befana is awakened by a light that shines into her tiny cottage. She opens the shutters and sees the miraculous star, and, in the distance, a caravan led by Three Kings. When they arrive, the Kings tell Befana they are on their way to Bethlehem to pay homage to the newborn King of the Jews. Will the old woman join them? Befana says she can't, she's too busy with her chores. Later, she has second thoughts. She packs a basket of sweets for the newborn King, then runs to catch up to the procession. But she is too old and too tired. Suddenly, angels appear, and Befana rises into the sky. Today, she still flies from place to place (so goes the legend) to look for the newborn King. As she does, she visits boys and girls everywhere, leaving cakes and cookies for them.

PETRU'S CANDLE

This story takes place in the late nineteenth century. The legend is set in Galea, a small Romanian Village. There, little Petru lives with his sick, widowed mother, Maria. As with the other villages, he is ashamed of his hamlet's tiny, decrepit church. He wishes the villagers could afford to build a beautiful cathedral like the one in the nearby town of Bostea. The people of Galea mistakenly think Bostea's house of worship is much holier because it is larger and more beautiful. As winter takes hold, Maria becomes increasingly ill. Petru decides the only way to save his mother is to travel to the great cathedral in Bostea, where he will light a prayer candle for her. To get to Bostea, Petru must pass by a mysterious well in the center of a dark forest. Determined, little Petru leaves his cottage and pushes onward, through snow and wind. He enters the forest. As he passes by the foreboding well, he stumbles and falls to its edge. Suddenly, a child's voice comes from the depths of the well. The voice begs Petru for his prayer candle, the very candle he must light in the great Bostean cathedral to save his mother. The voice implores Petru again and again. It is dark, cold and damp in the well, the voice says, and the candle will bring warmth and light. Torn and confused, Petru finally throws his candle into the well. An angel rises from the well and rewards Petru for his kindness. The youngster returns home to find his mother healed. Later, when Petru goes to his little church, he beholds something magnificent...his little candle illuminates the building. Petru now understands that love, faith and good deeds are the sources of holiness, not bricks and mortar.

MUSTAFA'S EYES

Mustafa, a newborn hunchback, is left on the doorsteps of a contemptible old woman who takes him in and teaches him to beg. Although Mustafa sees himself as a lowly beggar, other see something else, his remarkable eyes. People in his village say Mustafa's eyes look as if they have beheld the Messiah. Because of his extraordinary eyes, Mustafa brings home many coins each night. The old woman allows him to sleep in a corner, and feeds him, as long as he returns each day with his alms. Seven years pass, and the old woman determines she has enough money to rid herself of the child. She tells Mustafa he must leave. Cold and miserable, the little hunchback finally finds a cave where he can curl up and sleep. He awakens later to fnd people on their way to Bethlehem. He follows the procession, and eventually finds his way to a manger, where a man and his wife have unpacked their belongings. When Mustafa awakens the next morning, he discovers a miraculous sight, a wondrous Child in the woman's arms. The woman tells Mustafa to come forward, and allows the little beggar to touch the Child. When he does, a miracle occurs. Mustafa becomes strong and his hunched back straightens. No longer deformed, he can begin a new life.

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