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Loulou

The Greatest Treasure of All

By AsiyaPublished 3 years ago 7 min read
5
Frost Flame and the jeweler

Long ago, it is said that a great and wonderous spirit lived in a magical oasis beyond the mountains in the middle of a desert. This spirit, which dwelled in a frozen pond, was known to grant wishes whenever he was pleased.

They called the spirit ‘Frost Flame’ because of the white fire that surrounded its head like a halo. As the stories spread, the frozen pond oasis became a holy site and many pilgrims brought their burdens to the spirit, hoping for a miracle. As the years passed, tales of the miracles became exaggerated and even unbelievable.

During this time, there was a jeweler and his wife, who were unable to have children. They wished and prayed to no avail. In desperation, they went to every sorcerer and magician, but nothing worked. The jeweler and his wife despaired. Then a kind neighbor told them a fantastic story about the Frost Flame spirit who lived in the frozen pond oasis and granted wishes. The jeweler didn’t want to go, for he was a practical man and didn’t believe in miracles, but when he saw his sad wife, he decided they must try one last time to find an answer, even if it was from a magical spirit.

It took two weeks to prepare their carriage because the jeweler, who didn’t trust anyone, always traveled with all his wealth. Surrounded by guards, the jeweler and his wife began their journey over the mountains.

Weeks later, they arrived one morning at the holy oasis, and the jeweler, who was also a skeptical man, began to believe in miracles. There before him was a frozen pond, surrounded by trees in the middle of the desert – indeed, a miracle! The spirit soon arose from the ice, appearing in the form of a seven-foot man with white flames surrounding his head. The jeweler and his wife fell to their knees before his majestic form.

“O generous Frost Flame, we have our health and wealth,” said the jeweler. “Our only wish is to have a child who would take care of us in our old age.”

“Bring me your most precious pearl,” Frost Flame commanded, “and I will grant your wish! You will have a blessed child."

The spirit took pity on them. “Bring me your most precious pearl,” Frost Flame commanded, “and I will grant your wish! You will have a blessed child.

“Now heed this,” Frost Flame continued, “if you take care of the child, blessings and good luck will follow – but if you reject the child, only misfortune will befall you.”

The jeweler looked at his wife’s pleading eyes and opened his purse of jewels. He took the most beautiful pearl and gave it to Frost Flame.

“In forty days, you shall have your wish,” Frost Flame proclaimed. He then sank back into the frozen pond.

The jeweler and his wife were happy and content. They returned to their home, confident Frost Flame would keep his word. Forty days later, the jeweler’s wife did indeed become pregnant.

On the day of the delivery, a beautiful girl was born, but the jeweler was very mad. His wife saw his anger boiling over like water in a pot, and she was very ashamed, for she knew her husband wanted a son.

“That wicked spirit cheated us! Frost Flame is the one to blame,” said the wife.

“I was fooled and lost a very expensive pearl,” yelled the jeweler.

“Let us take this girl back to Frost Flame and demand that he return your pearl,” suggested the wife.

The jeweler agreed and ordered his men to prepare his carriage. They traveled many days before they reached the frozen pond oasis. When they arrived, Frost Flame arose from his frozen pond. He saw the child and heard their demand.

“You ungrateful man, how dare you refuse my gift?” As Frost Flame uttered these words, the ground shook and smoke filled the air.

“I asked for a boy,” responded the jeweler, somewhat shaken. “I do not need a girl, who might bring me and my family shame.”

Frost Flame was angry, but he took the child from the jeweler’s outstretched arms.

“I will call this beautiful baby Loulou, like the pearl I was given,” Frost Flame declared. “This girl will grow to be the most beautiful woman in the land, and she will live here with me until someone sees her value. To the person who honors her, Loulou will bring fortune and happiness.

“As for you little man,” Frost Flame said, “You didn’t heed my warning and you shall pay the price for your ingratitude.” With that, Frost Flame and Loulou disappeared in a puff of smoke.

The jeweler and his wife left, feeling dissatisfied. They had hoped to get their pearl back, but instead left with nothing. On their way home, a band of thieves attacked their carriage. They stole the jewels and killed the wife. The jeweler lost everything, and he had no one to take care of him. He lived poor, sad, and alone for the rest of his miserable life.

Many stories were told of Loulou

Years passed. Frost Flame kept Loulou safe and raised her well. On the first day of summer of the year Loulou became a woman, she was allowed to leave the frozen pond. She walked many miles to a village, and everyone gathered to meet the woman who lived in the enchanted frozen pond. It was said that Loulou was the most beautiful woman, with a voice that angels envied.

Meanwhile, in a faraway land there lived a wise King named Hakeem, who was not as wise as his name suggested. He only had one son, Prince Khaled – the most eligible bachelor in the land. The king spoiled his son, giving him everything he ever wanted, but still Khaled was sad. King Hakeem gifted Prince Khaled with all the beautiful women in his harem. The more choices Prince Khaled had, the sadder he became.

The kings of nearby realms envied King Hakeem, for he was the greatest of them all, and they desired his favor. The king of the land to the west sent Prince Khaled special food, rare gifts, and gold. The king of the land to the east sent him exotic spices, fine silk, and jewels. Both kings sent their most beautiful dancing women. But the more gifts and women he received, the sadder he became. Prince Khaled grew bored.

King Hakeem ordered jesters and story tellers to come to the palace to entertain the prince. Asiya, the oldest storyteller, with long silver hair, talked about the spirit called Frost Flame, who lived in a frozen pond oasis beyond the mountains. She told Khaled about the beautiful daughter named Loulou, with her angelic voice.

King Hakeem and Prince Khaled

Prince Khaled fell in love with Loulou as he heard her story. He gave Asiya a purse full of rubies, sapphires, and pearls, and announced his intention visit the spirit and meet Loulou. For the first time in years, the prince was happy and excited, and this pleased King Hakeem greatly. At once the king ordered his men to prepare the royal carriage for the prince.

It took forty days for Prince Khaled to reach the frozen pond oasis beyond the mountains.

“State your intentions Prince Khaled!” said Frost Flame.

“I want to propose to Loulou and make her my queen,” answered Prince Khaled.

“Do you know my conditions?” Frost Flame asked. “If you honor Loulou, she would bring you luck and fortune. But if you ever betray her or cause her pain, you...”

“I heard about the curse, and I am not afraid,” Khaled interrupted. “I promise to honor her and make her my queen.”

“All of the treasures and all of the beautiful women of the realms are at your command,” Frost Flame countered. “Would you forsake all this for Loulou?”

“Yes, her love is more precious to me than all the treasures and all the women of the east and west,” declared Prince Khaled.

The spirit smiled and waved his right hand. Loulou appeared and Prince Khaled knew she was prettier than even Asiya the storyteller had told. Khaled immediately dropped to his knee and professed his love to Loulou. She accepted his proposal and they lived happily ever after.

Prince Khaled became the king, and his army was undefeated. He was the only king to ever release all the women in the harem and only enjoy the love of his queen. In return, Loulou gave King Khaled many healthy boys and girls. It was said that King Khaled was wiser than his father and his reign was a prosperous one.

Fable
5

About the Creator

Asiya

Asiya is my Sufi name given to me by Sherif Papa, my spiritual guide. I was born in Cairo, Egypt. I am a spoken word poet. I love writing short stories. Feel free to email

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