Once upon a time, in a distant land, there lived a bald boy named Ali with his mother. His mother worked in the palace kitchen, cooking delicious meals every day.
Although Ali was kind and good-natured, he couldn't succeed in any job. When he worked with the woodcutter, he could barely lift the axe, and when he worked at the mill, he couldn't carry the heavy sacks of flour. This was because he was very thin and weak. That's why he would sometimes go to the palace kitchen with his mother and spend time there. Ali was also Prince Murad's closest friend. They often chatted and went for walks together.
One day, while Ali and Prince Murad were walking in the palace garden, the king came to them and said to his son:
— You have grown up now. Go, travel the country, see and get to know it. But I have one condition: Absolutely do not enter the forest of the very impatient giant! And if you do enter, do not eat or drink anything there!
The next day, the prince set off. After a long journey, he finally reached the forest of the giant his father had spoken of. Although he remembered his father's warning, the beauty of the forest enchanted him. "What harm could it do? I'll walk a little, then continue on my way," he said, and entered the forest.
The prince played hide-and-seek with squirrels in the forest, fed the birds, and smelled the flowers. Thus, he advanced deeper into the forest. A little later, a table full of various dishes appeared before him. Since the prince was also very hungry, he couldn't resist these delicious foods. Despite his father's warning, he said, "If I eat a little, nothing will happen," and sat down at the table. Eating a piece from this and a piece from that, he filled his stomach. Then sleep overcame his eyes, and he fell asleep right there.
While the prince was in a sweet sleep, the giant arrived. The ground trembled with each of his steps. When he saw the prince at the head of the table, he became very angry. It turned out that the giant didn't like to share his food with anyone. Angrily, he picked up the prince and carried him away.
Days passed, but the prince did not return. The king became very worried. Although he sent his soldiers all over the country to search for his son, he received no news. Ali was also very saddened by his friend's disappearance. "Where could he be?" he wondered, and finally decided to go to the giant's forest, which even the soldiers dared not enter. Because he was very worried about his friend.
Ali told his mother he was going to search for the prince, and his mother said worriedly:
— You can't even chop wood, nor can you carry heavy sacks. If you encounter the giant, what can you do in your weak state?
Ali replied:
— Don't worry, mother. I will find a way. After all, not everything depends on strength!
Then he set off. After a long journey, passing through valleys and hills, he finally reached the giant's forest. Searching for the prince, he came upon a table full of food. He was also very hungry. As he reached for the food, he remembered the king's words. No matter how delicious the food looked, he restrained himself and moved away from the table.
Just then, the ground began to tremble. Ali quickly hid behind a bush. The giant came and sat at the head of the table, eating all the food in the blink of an eye. Then he got up and set off to return home. Ali also came out from his hiding place and followed him.
The giant reached his home and sat on the sofa. Ali quietly entered and began to search for the prince. As he looked around, he saw the prince in a cage standing next to the giant. "How can I save my friend?" he thought.
Finally, an idea came to his mind. Gathering all his courage, he stepped in front of the giant:
— Hello... They call you the Impatient Giant, don't they?
The giant angrily leaned towards him:
— Who are you? What are you looking for in my house?
When the giant extended his hand to grab Ali, Ali quickly said:
— Most respected giant, I have brought you very important news!
The giant stopped and frowned:
— Tell me, what is the news?
Ali said:
— In the well in the forest, another giant like you lives. He says the well is too small for him. He will come out and defeat you, take your house, and live there.
When the giant heard this, he became very angry. He asked Ali where the well was and ordered him to show it. They set off. Ali in front, and the giant behind, they walked a long way and finally reached a well.
The giant angrily leaned into the well. When he saw his reflection in the water, he thought another giant was standing before him. He shouted loudly:
— Are you the one who said you would defeat me? If you have courage, come, let's see who is stronger!
When his voice echoed in the well, he thought the giant in the well was challenging him with the same words. He became even angrier and threw himself into the well. When he saw that there was nothing inside but a little water, he realized he had been tricked. Although he tried to get out of the well, no matter how much he struggled, he couldn't.
Ali, running, returned to the giant's house and rescued Prince Murad. The two friends set off towards the palace without wasting any time.
The king was very happy to see his son safe and sound. Prince Murad and Ali told him what had happened to them. The king highly valued Ali's will, intelligence, loyalty, and courage, and appointed him as the chief servant of the palace. Ali quickly learned the intricacies of this job and successfully performed his duties for many years.
His mother also said with joy: "My bald, brave son finally found a job that suits him!"
Three apples fell from the sky: one for the storyteller, one for those who listened, and one for those who discovered and valued their own abilities.
Sweet dreams!
