Journey and the Sleepless Prince

There lived a girl named Journey in a small village named Sophlexia. She was the first child born to a poor couple who tried to manage their livelihood though a small farm. She was a special child. From the day she was born, she gave out a special melody so relaxing that whoever stood near or around her except her parents, slept after sometime. The music coming out of her was like a lullaby for people suffering from insomnia, or those who couldn’t sleep because of any kind of worry or stress. People from distant and remote places would come looking for her. And after meeting her, they would sit to listen to the beautiful music and sleep peacefully. And the freshness they felt after waking up was incomparable.

“Your child is a gifted soul. She is blessed.” People would tell her parents.

As Journey grew up, there were very few she could play. Those who tried would not be awake for more than ten minutes. Other people in the village would get their sick or unwell children to Journey to get them to sleep. While people visited, Journey would be called by her father and was made to sit on the wooden bed placed outside her house while the others would gather around her. In return, they would present Journey and her family with grains, clothes and jewellery based on their potential.

Journey’s parents were so busy in receiving people the whole day that they could hardly make some time for her. Whenever Journey got a break, she would go into the streets to meet a deaf old man who sat under the oak tree near the church. His clothes were torn and he was found sitting in the same position the whole day making flutes out of bamboos to earn his living. Journey spent hours watching him make the flute and create music even though he couldn't hear it himself.

Time passed and Journey’s gifted quality travelled long distances and far off places. More and more people started coming in. It became hard for Journey to manage her life.

Often she would get irritated and frustrated by the crowd waiting outside of her house.

“I don’t like this mother. I need some peace.”

“Sweetheart, this is a service we are doing to the society. You should never back out.” Her mother explained.

“Your mummy is true my dear. Now common, they are all waiting for you. It’s just for some time.”

More and more people started coming in. By the time journey reached the age of eighteen, she was more famous than the country president. She got to meet people from around the world, speaking different languages.

One day a soldier arrived at Journey’s house while her father was talking to the new visitors who had flown all the way from Japan with a translator who could understand both the languages.

The soldier said,” The king needs you get the singing girl to reach the castle immediately.”

Journey’s father asked, “The King? But why is he calling us? What did we do?”

The soldier said,” The king’s son is not well. He hasn’t slept for more than a month. The king heard of the singing girl and wants her to help out. “

“Oh! In that case we should leave right now with you to reach the palace right away.”

Journey’s father informed the visitors that the king could not be made to wait and till they come back from the castle, they could stay at their house. Journey’s mother made all the arrangement for Journey and her father’s travel. The soldier was given ear buds to ensure that he doesn’t sleep on the way from the music coming out of Journey.

All the while during the hustle, Journey said nothing. With everything done, they left the house. Journey jumped up on the horse while her father and the soldier walked along.

The journey was tiring with the long ride and the unbearable heat from the sun.

She thought, “I wish I could be a normal girl. I am so drained out of the people coming up to me. And now I have to travel in this heat to reach out to some people. God, please help me out here. Why can’t I have an ordinary life?”

As the sun set, the soldier informed Journey and his father that they should stop for the night. He made a camp fire and two tents. The dinner was sandwiches and baked beans that Journey’s mother had packed. As it got gate, the soldier and Journey’s father slept in one while Journey slept in another.

Before sleeping, Journey shed few tears thinking of her own plight.

“Will I ever be able to live a normal life?”

Journey was woken up early to start the trek again.

One the way Journey asked his father, “When shall we reach the castle?”

“The soldier told me last night that it would be more than four hours walking today. We should reach their by lunch time. “

They walked and walked and it seemed like forever. The sun was once again on the head. It was hard for them to confirm again from the soldier with his ear buds on.

An hour later, they saw a large edifice at a distance.

“That’s the castle, there.” The soldier said.

“That is magnificent.” Journey said surprised.

As they neared the castle, Journey’s father asked her to stay where she was so that he could talk to the soldier before she entered the palace. After sometime, Journey was asked to move.

On reaching the castle, the other soldiers watching the gate searched Journey’s father and the soldier for any harmful weapon they could hold. All had their ear bugs so they do not sleep.

They got in and Journey was astonished with what she saw. There were too many soldiers walking all around guarding the palace. Journey got to see the horses and few royal women walking by in lavish dresses at a distance. There were decorated carts at one end for the royals. The fortress was huge and looked powerful in the view. The soldier they came along with talked to another guardian.

Journey and her father were taken to the rest rooms. It was the most luxurious and lush place Journey had ever seen. After sometime, they were given lunch which was something they had never had in her life.

“Father, there dishes are so delicious. What are these?” Journey asked.

“Royal food my child”, Journey’s father replied, with equal excitement.

After lunch and few hours of rest, in the afternoon, a palace guard came in to the room.

“The King wants to see you. Please follow me. ” He said.

Journey and her father followed the guard in to the palace. Journey kept looking all around the extravagant place with the intricate carvings and painting hung on the wall.

They entered a long hall where at the other end was a giant chair and there was a person sitting on it who looked like the kind. Also there were some people sitting alongside on the couch.

Journey followed her father to the king. Both of them bowed to the king. Journey’s father waved at the soldier and Journey was taken to another room so that they could all remove their ear bugs and talk.

After what seemed like an hour, Journey was called back in to the hall. This time, other than the people she had previously saw, she saw a new member added.

“This is Prince Phillip.” Her father said.

“He looks all weak and weary with no sleep. Poor guy! I wish I could help him out. “Journey said.

“Now all of them want to check if your melody is really effective enough to make them all sleep. So they will all be removing the ear buds together.” Journey’s father informed.

“Okay.” Journey agreed and her father gave a sign following which everyone removed their ear buds.

Journey silently sat on the couch with her father while the rest of them listened to the soft music.

She thought, “Look at them all. Few minutes and they will all go off to deep sleep.”

After around 15 minutes, Journey looked all around and found each of them sleeping and snoring except the Prince!

Journey went to him and asked, “Aren’t you feeling sleepy?”

“If I did, do you think I would be sitting here?” The Prince replied.

“Can you hear the music from me?” Journey asked.

The princes looked at Journey for a while and said,” Yes I do. I have heard a lot about you but it seems it’s not relaxing enough for me to get asleep”

“Weird. This has never happened before.” Journey said.

“I have tried everything. Nothing works on me. I so need some sleep. I am so exhausted.” The Prince informed.

“Come with me. I want you to meet someone.” Journey said.

“We will be back father.” Journey replied and left.

“Where are you taking him baby?” Journey’s father asked.

“We need to go to my place. “ Journey said.

“We could go on a cart. It is much comfortable that way. “

Both of them set out to the journey back to the village.

As soon as they reached, Journey took Prince Phillip to the old man near the church.

“Can you see that old man?”

“Yes.” Prince replied

“He plays the loveliest music though his flute. Come on.”

Journey and the Prince sat near the old man. He looked at them both, gave a weak smiled and continued his work on creating a flute.

After an hour or so, the flute was ready. The old man played the flute for a while and then stopped to look around.

Journey was listening to the music with a smile on her face. The old man looked at the Prince and smiled.

Journey turned her head towards Prince Phillip and found him fast asleep.

Both of them gave a satisfied smiled to each other and the old man continued playing the flute.

The Prince slept for almost two days. When he woke up, he thanked Journey and the old man for their generous act. He looked both freshened up and younger. Both were invited to the Palace for the celebration.

The old man was given the status of Royal Musical Instrument Player while the Prince married Journey.

Journey couldn’t be happier since she knew she would be spending the rest of her life with someone who wouldn’t sleep with her around.