Once Upon a Time by Maria Iliash

Once upon a time in a small village lived a poor boy named Nicolas.

His boots were patched, his cloak too thin for winter, and all his childhood he wished to become a knight.

Each year, the king held a grand tournament. There, any soul, noble or not, could attempt three trials to earn knighthood. When Nicolas turned seventeen, he packed some bread, a wooden bow, and all his courage, and set off before dawn.

The road curled through ancient forest. The air smelled of moss and rain, and sunlight filtered in trembling thin green trees. As Nicolas walked, he heard a cry, so he walked towards it and found a small elf trapped beneath a fallen branch. The creature shimmered.

“Please,” the elf whispered, “I cannot move.”

Nicolas hesitated only a moment before lifting the branch. It was heavier than it looked, but he gritted his teeth and raised it just enough for the elf to slip free. The creature hovered, glowing brighter now.

“If you find yourself in need, call me.” the elf said.

Before Nicolas could reply, the elf vanished.

Days later, Nicolas reached the tournament grounds. It was inside the biggest castle in the kingdom, there were many people drinking and dancing, celebrating the start of the competition. Armoured knights gleamed like living statues. Nicolas felt small among them, but he stepped forward when his name was called.

The first trial was announced: face the goblin of the hollow cave.

Nicolas went to the cave. It smelled of stone and something metallic. From the shadows crept the goblin, its eyes sharp and clever.

“Ah,” it hissed, spilling a pile of golden coins before him, “why risk your life? Take this treasure. Walk away.”

The gold gleamed warmly, and Nicolas thought of his village, of worn shoes. His heart wavered.

But then he remembered why he had come.

“I cannot,” Nicolas said, raising his bow. “A knight must stand firm.”

He fired an arrow straight at the goblin. Just as it struck poof! the creature vanished into a swirl of smoke.

A voice echoed softly: “Illusion defeated. Loyalty proven.”

Nicolas was very happy that he passed the first trial.

The second trial took place in the king’s hall. The air smelled of wax and polished wood. The king, spoke:

“Answer me this, and prove your wisdom:

What is stronger than steel, yet softer than silk; it binds kingdoms but cannot be seen?”

Knights before Nicolas had stumbled. He closed his eyes, thinking.

Then he remembered the elf, the villagers, the quiet acts of kindness that held people together.

“Trust,” Nicolas said. “Trust binds hearts and kingdoms alike.”

The king nodded slowly.

“You speak truth.”

The final trial loomed at the edge of the mountains: a dragon, big and terrible, whose breath fired the earth. Smoke choked the sky as Nicolas approached its lair. Fear coiled in his chest but he did not turn back.

The dragon emerged with a roar, flames burst from its jaws, and Nicolas barely leapt aside.

“I cannot match its strength,” he thought desperately.

“The elf!” Nicolas cried. “Please help me!”

A shimmer of light appeared beside him. The elf hovered, eyes bright.

“A true knight fights not with strength alone,” it said. “Aim for what cannot be seen.”

He nocked a single arrow.

As the dragon inhaled, exposing the soft hollow beneath its jaw, Nicolas understood the hint and released. The arrow flew rapid, striking the hidden weak point. The dragon gave a cry, then collapsed, the earth trembling.

Silence followed.

When Nicolas returned, the king himself placed a sword in his hands.

“Rise, Sir Nicolas,” he declared. “Not for your strength, but for your heart, your mind, and your courage.”

The villagers later welcomed him home with laughter and tears, but Nicolas never forgot the forest or the lesson he had learned.

For true greatness lies not in power or gold, but in kindness, wisdom, and the courage to choose what is right, even when it is hardest. And he lived happily ever after.