"Fairy Tale"

Ahh. I have been tidying up my stuffs and sorting out the things that I no longer need for the whole day. It was kinda fun.

Then I came across these old magazines mother bought for me when I was a kid. Ending result: Nostalgic reading session.

After reading a few, I came across this old short story in one of the magazines, which I had fallen in love with since I first read it (which was like 8 years ago). So, right now, I'm thinking of sharing it.

The original story was in Indonesian. This would be my attempt to translate it in English.
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"The tale of Fairy Tale"
by Ramayulis

In a veranda of a small house full of many kinds of statues and fretwork, sat an old man. His eyes were gazing softly at the distant. He was trying to seek out for the slightest signs of his wife's arrival. But the old lady who has just passed away never came back.

To ward away his loneliness, the old man decided to create a statue. Staring at the statue he almost finished, the old man muttered, "This statue is very beautiful. It's just like you, my dear."

He continued to sculpt while occasionally went to the kitchen to find out what his wife was cooking for him that day. But every time he peeked into the kitchen, he had to be disappointed, for he saw no single soul there.

Days passed and the statue was finished. But alas, the creation of the old man wasn't as perfect as his past works. The statue was indeed beautiful, but wielded a sad face even though the old man has specifically carved a smile on her face. Maybe his deep sorrow within his heart was reflected on his creation.

However, regardless of anything, he still loved the statue. He then named the statue as 'Fairy Tale'. For the tale of him and his wife would always rekindle in his heart. And the statue lived happily with her father.

One day, the old man died. He had to leave the world and finally met his wife. Before his death, the old man had entrusted the statue to one of his good friends at the town. But this good friend of his had the eyes only for the profit. "Hmph, I'd rather sell you than having to display your ugly face at my house." He said to the statue. Then he brought the statue to the market.

On her way to the market, Fairy Tale cried for the first time. And she didn't know then that it would be the begin of many other tears she would cry. She was treated badly and had to switch masters for so many times. Sometimes she would lament silently about why she was created with such a hideous complexion. But whenever she recalled about the old man, her father, her sorrow would vanish instantly.

Her constant flowing tears had left two long streaks on her face. Again and again until she had an even more hideous face. Now no one was willing to even look at her again.

Days and months passed. After her seemingly long journey, she finally arrived at a museum. She was placed at the end of the exhibition. The other fancy statues glanced arrogantly at her way.

The museum was very crowded that one morning because an auction for the statues was held that day. Fairy tale wasn't excluded from the auction and she was especially much more miserable that day because the people were busy praising other statues. Undeniably, this made the other statues mocked her more.

"You really have such an ugly face!" one of the statues had scoffed at her.

"Yeah! I can't bear staring at you even for another second." the Swan Statue exclaimed.

"Shh...shut up! That rich lady over there, she was looking at me." the Dancer Statue hissed at them. She then tried to look her best in order to fascinate the lady. And sure enough, the wealthy lady bought her.

Hours had passed and many of the statues were sold. Yet a certain man was still busy making his decision. He had been walking around observing since the morning. He kept looking and finally stopped right in front of Fairy Tale.

'Oh no! He is certainly going to insult me...' Fairy Tale thought.

"Uh huh...magnificent! Lovely, precise, how beautiful..."

Everyone in the room was shocked. Fairy Tale, herself was also confused.

"Yes. I want this one!" the man exclaimed vigorously.

"Are you serious, sire?" one of the auctioneers had asked. "He's right sir, that piece is surely hideous." A man beside him added.

"No! In no way could I be wrong. This is the most beautiful sculpture I have ever seen. Take a look at it! Her facial expression showed the sorrow in her heart. Her sad eyes and the long streaks on her face, they show the thousands of tears she had cried. How much hardship she has to endure for so long. But this smile... Look at how brave and rigid she has remained."

Everybody was now looking carefully at the statue.

"Yes. What this gentleman said is right. Look at how expressive this statue is. Oh...it must be that the artist had made this statue with all his heart."

No words could express the happiness Fairy Tale had felt.

"Hey, did you hear that? Do you think it's true?" the Statue of God of War whispered.
"I don't know, I couldn't believe this as well!" the Musician Statue beside him answered.

The whole room went silent for a while, as the occupants of which were all busy thinking respectively. There were those who regretted their oversight, and some asked inwardly as to why they couldn't appreciate such beauty of a statue.

"Here. I only have this sum of money. It is indeed not proportionate with the value of her. But I really wish to buy her." the man said whilst handing a suitcase to the auction committee.

They were dumbfounded when the committee opened the suitcase. Piles of money lied there, God knows how much it was. A man occupied himself by counting with his fingers, but nevertheless shook his head. No one could estimate the total because of its enormous amount.

Evening had arrived, and the museum was closing. Everybody went home with their own statues. Today they learned a valuable lesson.

The wise man, himself, went home in delight. He couldn't care less how much he had spent, he now owned such a beautiful piece of art after all.

Ah, if only the gentleman knew, how much Fairy Tale wanted to shout out her gratitude for him. She couldn't bear this feeling in her heart. Suddenly, the image of her father appeared on her mind, and she smiled.

Ah, if only Fairy Tale knew, that up there, faraway in the blue sky, in the midst of the white cloud, an old familiar fellow was smiling and shed a happy tear for her. Yeah...Fairy Tale never knew that all this time, the old man was always accompanying her journey. Every single tear she shed was also shed by her creator, her father.

"Goodbye, beautiful statue, wish you always be happy" the old man whispered. "Let's go, my love. Let's leave." He then held the hands of the old lady tightly, who had always been faithful to him and had always accompanied him everywhere. And then, they both fly high across the blue sky, far, faraway until they became a dot and disappeared.

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Meh, I don't know about the other people, but I really love this story.. :)