The Prince & The Songbird
In a kingdom, far away from the hustle and bustle of human civilization, lived a widower king named Omar, who had an only son, Prince Hassan. King Omar was adored by everyone in his kingdom for his just and compassionate reign, yet he carried a heavy heart, for his son, Hassan, was deaf from birth.
Despite this, Hassan was vibrant, lively, always found joy in life. He had an insatiable curiosity and constantly explored his surroundings. King Omar wished for nothing more than his son's happiness, so he recruited the best tutors that money could buy to teach his son language through sign and symbols.
One day as Hassan was walking along the castle’s garden, he noticed a beautiful bird with vibrant plumage being attacked by a hawk. Hassan, with fluid elegance, chased away the hawk, saving the bird. Seeing its broken wing, he gently picked it up and decided to help it heal. Little did he know, this was no ordinary bird but a mythical creature known as the Jinn, possessing magical abilities.
As weeks passed by, Hassan nurtured the bird, his care and kindness nourished not just the bird's broken wing but its trust in him. The bird revealed its true form as Jinn stated how Hasan's kindness touched her despite him being a human. As a token of appreciation, the Jinn granted Hassan a wish.
Touched by Hassan’s story, the Jinn, known as Zaara, bestowed what his heart desired the most. For a moment, the world became still. The sky darkened, lightning cracked, and a fierce wind howled. Then, everything was quiet again. Zaara's powerful magic had granted Hassan the ability to hear. Overwhelmed with joy, Hassan thanked Zaara and watched as she flew off into the sky.
Word of Prince Hassan newly found hearing ability spread throughout the kingdom, resulting in mixed reactions. Some were joyful; others worried it was unnatural and considered it witchcraft. Among the kingdom's council, a cunning minister named Iago became envious and decided to exploit the situation to his favor.
Iago, the minister, plotted against Hassan. Using his silver tongue, he raised concerns among the council, questioning the source of Hassan’s newfound ability. He sowed seeds of doubt, calling it unnatural and a threat to the kingdom's peace.
One day, with fake empathy, Iago met King Omar and narrated maliciously fabricated stories of kingdoms destroyed due to the wrath of gods when they tampered with nature's law. Omar, though a wise man, was unnerved by these tales. He loved his son dearly and did not want to risk his kingdom's well-being.
Turmoil filled Omar's heart. The very gift that brought his son joy now became a source of anxiety, fear, and doubt. He made a decision so heavy; it brought tears to his eyes.
Omar called Hassan and, with a heavy heart, asked that he willingly forsake his hearing ability to prevent any disaster. Hassan, confused and heartbroken, didn't want the kingdom to suffer because of him. So, he called upon Zaara and asked her to take back his gift.
Zaara, saddened by the turn of events, did as Hassan requested. Hassan's world became silent once again. Yet, he had a new understanding of the pain of loss and sacrifice for the greater good. He was respected and loved even more by the kingdom, his empathy understood by everyone.
In the end, Iago’s attempt to sow discord only strengthened Hassan’s position as a future ruler. Hassan, though deaf, was a prince of unparalleled courage and benevolence. He always fondly remembered the song of the bird – Zaara, knowing he would never hear it again, and yet, with courage in his heart and a warm smile, ready to rule his Kingdom, he walked on.