Week 7 - Storytelling: This Time, They Make It!

There was once a young man named, Alexander.  Alexander was one of those rare men who worked hard his whole life for the things he wanted, was kind to all those who deserved kindness, and loved only one woman.  The woman he loved was Cara.  She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.  Despite her wealth, she was also one of the kindest women he had ever known.  Everyone adored her.  They had been friends since they were children and used to get in the worst sorts of trouble together.  As they grew older, though, their friendship grew into something more.  They loved each other, truly and deeply.  One would die for the other.  They hoped to one day be married, but Cara's father said that would be impossible.  Her father, Amun, told Cara that she deserved better than Alexander.  She deserved someone who was wealthy so the families could combine their fortunes.  Cara argued this point for months, telling her father they had plenty of money as it was and she would rather marry a man who was true, honest, loving, and loyal than one with money.  But Amun would hear none of it.

One day, while Cara was walking through her favorite field, down by the river, she saw her beloved, Alexander.  He came to her and told her again of his love for her.  He told her that regardless of what her father said, he would never love another but her.  Cara was so moved by Alexander's words and she began to weep.  Alexander caressed Cara's chin and told her he did not wish for her to cry, that he came to ask her to run away with him.  He knew he didn't have nearly the money she deserved to live as comfortably as she had grown accustomed to.  But Cara didn't care about these things.  The ONLY thing that had ever mattered to her was love and trust.  She agreed to run away with him.

As they made their way through the forest towards Alexander's horse, they heard a group of men screaming Cara's name.  And they knew.....they knew Amun was searching for Cara.  They hurried through the forest and mounted Cerberus, Alexander's trusted stallion.  They flew through the forest and came to a great crevice in the mountains.  Their only chance was to jump.  They kissed it each other one last time, just in case Cerberus wasn't up to the jump.  Alexander backed Cerberus up and then willed him forward as fast as he could possibly go.  They closed their eyes and waited for death.....

Then, quite unexpectedly, the felt Cerberus's hooves make purchase with the ground on the other side.  They had made it!!!! They turned to see Amun and his men standing on the other side of the crevice, dumbfounded with nothing to do but watch them ride away.

Alexander and Cara found themselves a tiny little village where no one would know who they were and settled there.  They were married shortly thereafter and had many children together and lived content, quiet lives without money, just love.

Star-Crossed Lovers -- Raymond Haddad

Author's Note:
I adapted this story from the reading unit of Folklore of Laos.  The story was called Lovers Leap.  It's such a tragic tale.  Two people who love each other very much are not allowed to marry because of the girl's father's disapproval.  It's a story we all know so well and we all know it never seems to end well, which I think is very unfair for the two young lovers.  Therefore, I decided to tell this tale where the lovers actually got to be together.  Call me a hopeless romantic, but there is nothing greater on this earth than to find that one person you are meant to be with.  The one who fills you with joy and happiness.  And to have love like that impeded upon by a father's will, just never seemed like a good ending to me.  So, I rewrote it, the way I thought it should end-with them leaving together and starting a beautiful life together.  So there, take that .......

Bibliography:
The Lover's Leap.  Reading Unit: Folklore of Laos.  Web Source: The Lovers Leap
Image: Star-Crossed Lovers.  Web Source: Star-Crossed Lovers