Leap of Love
Once there lived a poor young farmer who loved a pretty
maiden. The maiden was the daughter of a rich merchant. Because of his low
social class, the young farmer was aware that a union between him and the
maiden was impossible. All he could do was admire her from a far.
While count his riches, the merchant decided that he could
afford to throw a rich feasts for his friends and guests. He would need meat
and the freshest vegetables and fruits. The merchant’s advisor suggested that
he get the foods for the feast from the young farmer for the young farmer is
known to grow the best fruits and vegetables and raise the best meats. Hearing
this, the merchant demanded the services of this young farmer.
The young farmer was doing his daily chores on the farm when
a messenger came and gave him a letter. The letter was a request from the
merchant, demanding the presence of the young farmer. The young farmer was
elated by this request for this meant that he gets to be closer to the maiden
if it was just for a short time.
The young farmer journeyed to the merchant’s home and
presented himself. The merchant was instantly pleased with and hired him on the
spot.
The preparation for the kind of party the merchant desire
took days. The young farmer was fine with this for this means that he will be
able to see the maiden even more.
The young farmer indeed get to see the young maiden often
for she was always in the kitchen because she loved to cook. One day the farmer
gained enough courage to go up to the maiden and talk to her. While conversing,
they learned that they had quite a lot in common. For instance, they both love
food. The young farmer loves to raise food and the maiden loved to cook food.
For days up until the feast, the young farmer and the maiden
spent their time in the kitchen cooking and preparing for the party. They soon
fell in love with each other. The maiden knew that her father, the merchant,
would never approve of this relationship so the young farmer and the maiden
kept their love a secret.
The day of the feast finally arrived. Everything about the
feast was what the merchant had hoped for: lots of food and merry people. While
everyone was distracted with partying, the maiden decided to use this time to
run away.
In the distance the young farmer with a horse was waiting
for the maiden. They have decided to run away and elope. Unfortunately one of
the servants saw the secret meeting between the maiden and the young farmer and
ran back and informed the merchant of it. The merchant outraged ran after them.
The merchant finally caught up with the lovers. The lovers had
nowhere to go for they were on the edge of cliff. The only escape they had was
to leap over onto the cliff on the other side. Because of the strong love for
each other, they decided to take a leap of faith (love) and jump over onto the
other cliff. To everyone’s surprise, including the lovers, they made it safely.
This was the last time the merchant or anyone else ever saw them.
 |
| (Leap of Love) |
Author's note: This story is based on the The Lover's Leap. This story can be found in Folktales of Laos. The story of the The Lover's Leap is about a young man who falls in love with a maiden and the maiden loves him as well. There love was forbidden by the maiden's father though. The father comanded his daughter to never speak or see the young man ever. Believing that the romantic relationship between the young man and his daughter had ended, he throws a feast to actually find a suitable man to marry. During, the feast the young man approaches her and ask for hand in marriage. She accepts and the two run away on horse back. Unfortunately a horse saw them and informed the father. The father and his men pursue them. The only escape for the young lovers was to leap across to the hill on the other side. They decided go for it but they missed the opposite cliff and fell to their deaths. In my story Leap of Love, I chose a happier ending because I don't really like sad endings. I also chose to go a little more in detail about the courtship between the two lovers.
"The Lover's Leap" from the Folktales of Laos (1899). Web source:Sacred Texts
Sarah, I enjoyed reading your story. I liked that even though the merchant didn't approve of the relationship they pursued it anyways. To be honest, I thought that they were going to both jump and fall to their deaths so it was refreshing to see a happy ending. Overall, the story was well written and you provided good imagery to give a sense of setting. Good job!
ReplyDeleteI really liked your story! Especially, because I am the same way about sad endings! Most of my storytellings are changed from sad to happy. I just think they are much more enjoyable to read. This story made me want to go back and read other sections from the Laos unit. I might read it for this unit this week!
ReplyDelete