The Boy And The Bird

Once a man died, leaving his son nothing except a talking bird who could say only three things, "Keep going", "Don't give up" and "Have courage".
And because he had no money, the boy decided to try and rescue a princess that had been carried off by a dragon because her father the king had offered her hand in marriage in exchange for her safe return.
He travelled for many days over high hills, through dense forest and across scorching desert.
And while he was climbing across the hills, fighting his way through gale and blizzard there were times when he felt himself ache with tiredness.
But the bird that was perched upon his shoulder said to him, "Keep going", "Don't give up" and "Have courage" and, listening to it, he fought onwards.
And while he was pushing through the dense forest there were times when he would hear terrifying animals roaring and get scared.
But the bird that was perched upon his shoulder would say, "Keep going", "Don't give up" and "Have courage" and, listening to it, he would pluck up the courage to march forward.
And while he was staggering through the desert; through scorching heat and sandstorms, weary and aching of thirst, there were times when he just wanted to lie down in the sand and die.
But the bird that was perched upon his shoulder kept saying, "Keep going", "Don't give up" and "Have courage" and, listening to it, he found the strength inside himself to keep plodding on.
And, eventually, the boy reached the cave of the dragon.
But the dragon had skin like a chameleon and made itself invisible so that the boy didn't see it, only the princess, as he entered the cave.
"I've come to rescue you your royal highness", he said, taking the frightened young woman gently by the hand.
But then, with an ear splintering roar, suddenly the chameleon skinned dragon made itself visible again behind the boy.
Turning and looking into the monsters great glowing eyes the boy was terrified and felt sure that he would soon be seeing the inside of the dragons reptilian belly.
But then, all of a sudden, the dragon heard a noise from behind it; the sound of someone talking.
"Keep going", "Don't give up" and "Have courage", they were saying.
Turning round to see who was speaking but unable to see anyone, the monster started to become confused.
And while the dragons back was turned, suddenly, the boy seized his chance.
Seeing a long golden spear that had belonged to some long dead warrior lying on the cave floor, he picked it up and leapt upon the dragons spiky back, ramming the tip of its spear head deep enough to pierce its huge heart and cleave it in two.
Then, when the gargantuan lizard was slain, the boy lead the princess safely out of the cave.

"Keep going", "Don't give up" and "Have courage", said the bird, fluttering down and perching upon the boys hand.
"Listen to him, princess", said the boy, "This bird is the wisest teacher I have ever known".
And after that, the boy, the princess and the bird all returned to the palace of the king where the boy married the princess and they lived happily ever after.