Zurinka

Once upon a time there was a very beautiful country, called Arrom Land. King Zoralio and Queen Luludia reigned there, but the witch Jungalia had sold her heart to the devil in exchange for an enchanted mirror that could see everything that happened around the world, and this with wanted to reign in the Arrom Land. 

Zoralio, who was a wizard himself cast a spell over the Arrom Land and made it invisible. People could reach it only in their dreams and only if they were able to love, that is, if they had a heart. Therefore, Jungalia ran away to Aver Land where she sheltered under Prince Gunjar's bed, who immediately went down with an illness. 

After a period of time Arrom Land, which was a rather small county, became too crowded for King Zoralio's children. He loved them equally, both the younger and the elder ones, the whiter and the darker ones, the lazier and the more hard-working ones, but the one he loved the most was Zurika, his eldest daughter. Zurika was tall and slender, with ring-like curly hair, with bright and lively eyes that shone like stars, white pearl-like teeth and lips that were red like true love. She was gay and kind, generous and gentle.

Moreover, she was the most reputed singer and dancer in the whole Arrom Land, but also a witch.  

One morning Zoralio gathered all his children and told them:

“Chej bari mure, chave muri, my princes and princesses! Arrom country is no longer big enough for you, go out into the wide world as your hearts desire and fullfill your destinies. Spread into the world and be of good use to the people, fill the world with your gifts, be kind-hearted, joyful, love and enjoy life! And should you encounter any difficulties, or remain unshelted, s’eep on the bare earth, dream and we shall meet again! But be aware, once you have returen to the Arrom Land you cannot go out of it unless carried away over the rainbow by true love!”

And this is how Zoralio and Luludia's children spread around the world. Those who loved silver went under the leadership of Rupi, and those who loved gold went under the leadership of Sumnakal, and they became silversmiths and goldsmiths. Others, who loved the fire and its bright lively colors joined Carros the coppersmith and fed the world from their cast-iron kettles. Those who loved freedom, cool forests and endless plains chose Grastinel as their leader and they became horse copers and carters, while those who only knew how to live life to the full and enjoy it started to wander the cities and settle around their outskirts and entertain people with their dancing and singing. Zurika, king Zuraliols most beloved daughter followed this latter group. 

 Meanwhile, in the Aver Land, Prince Gunjar was quickly dieing out because Jungalia who was still hiding under his bed, tortured him night after night. She would go into his dreams, and would whip and scratch him in an attempt to make him find his way to the Arrom Land. But she didn't succeed because the Prince had never met real love.

 When Zoralio's sons and daughters arrived there with Zurika, the settled at the border of the city, put up their tents, built the fire and started partying.

Gunjar could hear the music of the Arrom tribe from his window and, and he realized that his heart started beating faster, and than an unusual desire takes hold of him gradually. So the Prince wrapped himself into his darkest mantle and got out of the city. He hid behind the trees and trying to have a better view of the party he fell over some stinging nettles and let out a loud scream.    The musicians surrounded him instantly, their knives out: “ Don't kill him” Zurika cried out loud, “I want to see his face! What were you doing here?” she asked him sharply.

“I was trying to dance on your music”, admitted the Prince, embarrassed at being caught like a common thief. 

“Really?” Zurika laughed. “Then go ahead, dance! We want to see you. And you,” -she said, turning in the musiciansl direction- “go on singing!”

Gunjar made some dance steps but Zurika approached him and said, “Not this way. Keep your back straight. Look, like this!” 

He started dancing again, while looking at her, and Zurika, in turn, could not take her eyes away from the Prince.

They partied until dawn, but right before sunrise a powerful wind started blowing. That was Jungalia who had become acquainted with the fact that the Prince was not in his bed. The musicians spread and Zurika took Gunjar's hand and ran into the forest, towards a clearing where Grastinel's horses were grazing, and mounted Balval the fastest of all horses.  

Followed by Jungalia they arrived at Carrosl place, who offered then a copper kettle. They threw it behind them and a black water river appeared. But the witch swam after them clenching the mirror strongly in her arms.

Then they reached Rupi's place and he gave them a silver comb. When they threw the comb behind them, a forest of sky-tall thorns appeared. But Jungalia crossed it, tearing her flesh and becoming a skeleton with a mirror in her arms.

Left with no place to run to Zurika and Gunjar fell asleep in the tall grass, and went to Arrom land as Gunjar and Zurika had found true love. There they met king Zoralio and queen Luludia. Meanwhile, Jungalia could see everything that was happening in her enchanted mirror so she entered the Prince's dream and showed herself to Zoralio in the shape of a devil with burning eyes.

Then she threw herself at Zoralio and a terrible fight followed. Jungalia burned everything that came into her sight but Zoralio made a sign and it started to rain. Jungalia brought fog over Arrom Land but Zoralio came riding the moon and dispersed the fog. Then Jungalia turned herself into king Zoralio and nobody could tell which one was the real king. However, in order to do that she had to let go of the enchanted mirror for a few moments, which gave the true Zoralio the opportunity to take it, to lock Jungalia inside it, and to throw her inside a rainbow. So, even today, when there is rain, or fog, we can see Jungalia struggling to get out, but she cannot hurt anybody anymore since she is powerless.

 Zurika and Gunjar went happily back to people's land, walking on the rainbow, because they were led by true love. As to Arrom Land, you can hear from time to time about what a wonderful land it is, with high mountains and deep waters, covered in a bright rainbow, and reined by a great wizard king and a very beautiful queen: Zoralio and his love, Luludia.