Story 3: Jack's Challenges (Misty)

(real tale: The Three Tasks)

"Once there lived in a far away land a mighty king." Misty begins. "He had an only daughter named Tara. When she turned eighteen, and no one had offered himself as a potential husband, the king thought it a good idea to give his daughter to anyone who could perform three miraculous feats. To spread the word, the king ordered the great tower which stood in his city, which was famed for its immense size and height, to be decked out with a rainbow of banners, so everyone within miles could see it."

"I'm sure that looked beautiful." Rosa notes.

"At first people did not know what the banners on the old tower meant, but when they asked about it, they were told that Princess Tara was of age to be married." Misty continues "Then the three sons of a peasant, the youngest of which was named Jack, decided to try their luck. They set out, and in passing through their father's garden, the eldest said to the youngest, 'Shut the garden door.'" However, Jack thought he said, 'Take the door.'."

Giggles go up as everyone pictures the comical scene. "So Jack took the door off its hinges, and carried it on his back." Misty goes on. "The two others led the way and did not concern themselves about Jack, and did not even notice that he was carrying the door on his back. When night fell, they had to look for a place to sleep, and decided after some discussion to climb a tree, so that they would be safe from the wild Pokemon. It was about then that the brothers finally noticed that Jack had brought the garden door along with him."

The kitchen explodes in laughter. "They scolded him for this, and told him he had to carry the door up into the tree, so that no trace of a human presence was there." Misty explains. "They pushed, and pushed, and pushed some more; until they got the door up there some hours later."

Once the laughter quiets, Misty continues "The brothers stretched out, and soon fell asleep. But they were awakened by the whistle of arrows, and to their horror they saw some bandits approaching the tree, and making camp underneath it. Although the brothers kept quiet, the bandits soon figured out that someone was in the tree, and nocked their bows to fire at the strangers. Jack, seeing what was going on, was so terrified that he let the door fall, and it squished all the bandits flatter than pancakes."

Tarina howls with laughter as she pictures the pancake-bandits. "The two elder brothers were stunned that Jack had saved them, and treated him much kinder after that." Misty assures the group. "The three travelers stayed in the tree all night, and waited until dawn to continue on their way. As soon as the first streak of dawn appeared, the three brothers came down and went on their way. After a long and uneventful journey, they reached the royal palace, asked to be admitted, and told the guards why they had come. The king stepped out on the balcony overlooking the castle gate, and said..."

"Two of you may go, for I have only one daughter, and she only needs one groom." Brock fills in the king's dialogue in his best "king" voice.

"None of the brothers wanted to leave the others behind, and they argued for some time, until finally the king commanded the eldest brother to stay." Misty explains. "The king then gave him the following challenge..."

"You are to come sailing to me on a golden ship, but not on the water. The ship must be able to sail through the air as easily as it does the water." Brock instructs as the king.

"When the eldest brother heard this, he trudged home alone, for the other brothers had already gone in the castle." Misty continues. The next day, the eldest brother went into the forest, and in hopes that the king would consider the challenge complete if the ship was made of wood, he cut down an oak tree and worked day and night on the ship. On the third day he was very tired and quickly fell asleep. When he woke up, an old man came to him and asked for a piece of bread. The eldest brother shooed him off. The man walked away and said 'You'll be sorry, young lad.'"

She then reveals the eldest brother's fate. "Hardly had he said this, he was gone and the tree that had almost assumed the form of a ship was in its former glory again before the astonished eldest brother. Gradually his surprise gave way to anger because his three day's work was for nothing. He went home and told of his misfortune to his parents, but they could give him no explanation as to what had happened."

She intones "The deadline passed, and the eldest brother was still at home. Two days after the agreed time had passed, messengers came, and the eldest brother reluctantly went to the royal castle. He could not explain to the king what had happened, and so was thrown in the dungeon, since he at least made some kind of effort."

The room is silent for a moment before Misty continues "When his parents heard of this they were greatly troubled, and forbade the two younger brothers to court Princess Tara. But the brothers wouldn't take no for an answer, and the middle brother went into a dense forest and selected a fine oak tree. He then began, like his brother had done, to cut the trunk into a ship. When in his weariness he fell asleep, there came a woman, who woke him up, and begged for money. The middle brother treated her harshly, and she went away, but not before singing..."

She then sings Imultaos, ame no hao bakezo..., making Brock's Mega Ring glow, much to Tarina's delight.

"In a flash of green light, the tree stood up again in its full glory." she announces to stunned murmurs. "So the middle brother fared no better, for he had not accomplished the task."

[What did Jack do?] Tintri asks before bounding off Ash's shoulder and running to Brock's place at the table, where Tarina is listening.

"He went into the forest, cut down a fine oak tree, and built a beautiful ship." Misty explains. "When it was done, a hideous old woman came and demanded a kiss. Jack did not hesitate, but hugged and kissed the old woman, not once, but several times."

"Ew"s go up at this. "Then she cast a spell..." Misty pauses to sing Rou iitsa ron selga vichii... before continuing "...over the ship, and it turned into gold, and began to fly. It carried Jack to a great mountain, and landed there. When the third day had passed and the ship was still sitting there, he sang the first magic song in a bedtime story that came to mind..."

Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul... Ash sings as Jack, making his Mega Ring glow.

"Suddenly, he heard rushing water, and discovered a river that his song had conjured." Misty goes on. "He went up to it and read the words 'Not far from me lies a flute. Take it on your ship.'"

She adds "He looked for the flute and soon found it too." as Ash retrieves a familiar silver whistle from his pocket. "Then he went into his boat and played it."

Ash plays the Zelda whistle song for effect. "Jirachi the Wish Maker appeared to him and asked what he wanted." Misty explains "Jack told him his predicament, and Jirachi told him that if Jack needed his help, all he needed to do was just whistle and he would come help him. Soon after the ship took off and carried him to a field. A hunter came and told him that he too would come if he just played his flute. Then the ship took off and carried him to the castle."

"And then?" May asks as she and Max help themselves to Berries and cheese.

"The king looked with astonishment on the boy and the ship that could fly so cleverly and admirably through the air." Misty continues. "Jack stepped out of the ship, and the king invited him to a grand feast. Then Jack asked the king for the second challenge, and the king answered..."

"Get me a jug of water the moment you stand up from your chair." Brock instructs as the king.

"Jack remembered his flute and played the song to summon Jirachi..." Misty waits as Ash plays the Zelda whistle song again." "...and the pitcher was on the table when he stood up. The third challenge was to call together all the Mareep in the world, and let the king see them. Jack played the song to summon the hunter..."

Tintri and Tarina giggle as Ash plays Jelan Mirana's motif for effect. "..and suddenly there were millions of Mareep, including all the Mareep that other kings owned." Misty continues. "The next day the wedding was to take place. But Princess Tara would not recognize Jack as her husband, and begged the king to give him some more challenges."

"Jack has performed three miraculous feats, fair and square." Brock explains as the king.

Misty smiles as she concludes "So Princess Tara became Jack's wife, and they lived long and happily for many years."