Join us at the campfire for tales from around the world, told by storytellers of all backgrounds and creeds. From the heros and heroines of old, let us relearn and rediscover the wisdom of our ancestors. Shhh..the story begins..

One day, Luck met Intelligence sitting on a wooden bench in a garden. "Make room for me," said Luck and Intelligence, who was at that time inexperienced and unsure as to who should make room for whom, questioned why...since he believed that Luck was no better than he was.

"The better man," Luck told Intelligence, "is the one who performs most." Luck pointed to a peasant's son who was plowing a nearby field. "Enter that young man," said Luck, "and if he gets on better through you than me, then I'll always be submissive toward you and make way for you whenever and wherever we meet." Intelligence thought about this, agreed and then entered the plowboy's head.

As soon as the peasant's son...Vanek by name...felt the presence of Intelligence, he put away his plow and determined that there must be an easier way for him to make his fortune. "I don't wish to be a peasant any longer," he told his father. "I'm off to learn how to be a gardener." Vanek's father was disappointed, but he accepted his son's decision and made Vanek's younger brother heir to the family cottage.

So, Vanek lost his inheritance, but he didn't care. He travelled to the King's castle and apprenticed himself to the Royal Gardener. Vanek learned his craft quickly and soon, he no longer listened to the instructions of the King's chief gardener. He made his own decisions and did things his own way. At first, the gardener was angry, but then, seeing how everything in the garden seemed to flourish under Vanek's care and attention, he grew more contented and allowed Vanek to go about his work unsupervised. Within a short space of time, the garden became so beautiful that the King visited every day and often brought with him his wife and his daughter.

The Princess was a lovely creature, but ever since she was twelve years old, she had stopped speaking and had never uttered another word. This made the King very sad and he had proclaimed that any man who could make his daughter speak again would win her hand in marriage and become heir to his Kingdom. Many young monarchs, princes, and other distinguished and titled lords came to the castle...but none were ever successful. Vanek considered the challenge and decided to make an attempt at getting the Princess to speak. So, he asked to be taken to see the King, who then accompanied him to the chamber of the Princess.

Now, the Princess had a pretty little dog. She was very fond of her pet because he was a clever fellow and always understood what it was she wanted of him. When Vanek entered the chamber, he didn't speak to the Princess...in fact, he acted as though she wasn't even there. He spoke only to the dog.

"I have heard," began Vanek, "that you are very clever and so I come to you for advice. I recently travelled in the company of a sculptor and a tailor. One night, we were obliged to make camp in a forest and, in order to be safe from wolves, we made a fire and agreed to keep watch...one after the other. The sculptor went first and, for amusement and to keep himself awake, carved a damsel out of a wooden log. He had just finished when it became the turn of the tailor to stand guard. The tailor saw the wooden damsel and asked what it meant. The sculptor explained how he had made her and suggested that the tailor...if he grew bored...might like to clothe her. Almost at once, the tailor brought out his scissors, his needle, and his thread, and fashioned garments for the damsel. By then, it was my turn to keep watch and the tailor related to me the tale of the wooden damsel, suggesting that I might like to pass the time by teaching her to speak. By dawn, I had actually managed to instruct her and she began to talk. When the sculptor and the tailor awoke, each claimed her for their own. The sculptor believed she was his because he had made her; the tailor because he had clothed her; and I too felt I had a right to her, since I had given her the gift of speech. So, tell me little dog, to which one of us should the wooden damsel belong?"

The dog did not reply, but the Princess began to speak. "She belongs to you, gardener," she said. "What good is the sculptor's damsel without life? What good are the tailor's clothes without speech? You gave her the best gift...life and speech...therefore, she belongs to you!"

Vanek was delighted. "You have passed your own sentence," he told the Princess. "I have given you speech again and a new life; therefore, by right, you belong to me!"

One of the King's Councilors then stepped forward. "You shall have a fine reward," he told Vanek, "but you cannot have the hand of the Princess...you are nothing more than a peasant!"

Vanek protested. "The King made a promise," he declared, "and a King's word is law; if a monarch would have his subjects obey the rules, then surely he must first obey them himself!"

"Seize that man," cried the Councilor. "Whoever states that the King MUST do anything offers an insult to the crown." The Councilor turned to the King. "This is treasonable, Your Majesty," he said, "and warrants execution." The King agreed. Immediately, guards took hold of Vanek and led him away to be executed.

Waiting at the appointed place of execution was Luck. "See how this poor young peasant lad has fared under your guidance?" Luck said secretly to Intelligence. "Because of you, he will lose his head...now make way. Stand aside and let me take your place."

Intelligence left Vanek upon Luck's command. At that instant, the executioner struck with his sword, but the weapon broke against the scaffold and before another could be brought, a trumpeter arrived from the King's city. He galloped swiftly, blowing loudly on his horn and waving a white flag. Apparently, the Princess had chided her father for not keeping his word and the King had realized his mistake. Vanek would be made a Prince and would marry the King's daughter!

Some days later, as Vanek and his bride rode towards the castle after celebrating their wedding ceremony, Intelligence, standing by the side of the road, saw the approaching carriage. He bowed his head and moved to one side. From that time forward, it is said that Intelligence has always given Luck a wide berth whenever and wherever they have chanced to meet.