Margit Zwigl

The King’s GoldenHeart

A fairy tale about life’s true riches …

Translated from German by Marcus J. Carney

Illustrations by Evi Gasser

Once upon a time there was a rich king. He had everything one could imagine: a vast kingdom, a multitude of treasure chests filled with gold, a beautiful wife, an equally beautiful daughter and numerous servants obediently willing to serve. Yet the most pre-cious thing he owned was a big, golden heart, which he had inher-ited from his father.

In his last hour the old king had called his son, handed him the heart and told him: “My dear son, by tomorrow you will be king. For my farewell I present you with my most precious treasure. This golden heart shall bring you good fortune and lighten the hearts of our people. Treat it with care, for it is very sensitive. Protect it and nourish it. Its shine will please you every day.”When he had finished speaking thus, the old king closed his eyes and passed away. When the young king began to rule the em-pire, he became very serious about protecting his father’s treas-ure. Fearing that someone might harm the golden heart, he had it encased in a glass casket set with diamonds and gemstones. So it was well protected while still visible to all who wanted to see it.

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It wasn't long before the king realized that this heart was no ordinary heart. Every day many of his people came to the ball-room of the palace to admire the treasure. They gathered in front of the glass casket, and – delighted by the heart’s natural glow – joyfully left again.

Soon it became known that the king’s heirloom exercised its special powers on anyone who would look at it. So more and more people came to receive their share of joy and content-ment by looking at the heart.With the golden heart’s presence the atmosphere at the court had changed perceptibly: all were much friendlier to each oth-er. Servants went about their business much more happily, and even the king was frequently seen smiling contentedly when taking the occasional walk with his queen. The king felt strongly this change within himself, which was due to the golden heart: every time he looked at it he became filled with joy and contentment. On some days he couldn’t get enough of these pleasant feel-ings. So he sat for hours, just to take in his joy and content-ment.

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One day, while admiring his treasure, he had an idea: if he col-lected one gold ducat from each visitor, he could be even rich-er than he already was. He also thought it unfair, that everyone should get their share of joy and contentment to take home for free. So he ordered one of his servants to ask for one piece of gold from each visitor. From that day on, only rich people came to the king’s ballroom.

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For a while this trade went well – within a short time the king had collected many gold ducats. The wish grew within him that one day he might be the richest and thereby the happiest man in the world. So he called his servant again and said: “The way I see it, my idea turns out to be quite fruitful. These past ten days we’ve collected a total of 200 gold ducats. From now on I want you to ask for two gold ducats. Then I will soon be the richest man.”The servant did as he was told. From that day on he demanded two gold ducats of every visitor. Yet the king’s joy would not last…

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One morning the frightened servant came hurrying in to report to the king the misfortune which had occurred overnight: the golden heart had shrunk to half its size. The king was stunned! How could this have happened? They had no idea, so the treasurer was called to investigate the matter.After long consideration the treasurer told him: “Your Majesty, I have experienced many curious things in my position as your treasurer. One day I caught a mouse nibbling your gold. I chased it away and ordered it never to return to this court. Another time I watched an ant colony marching through the keyhole to steal away with some of the gold. When I followed them, I found that they had already hidden ten gold pieces in their hill. I recovered the gold and threatened them with the destruction of their hill, should they dare to approach the treasure chamber again. As you can see, I am a watchful and intelligent treasurer. But how on earth a golden heart would shrink overnight, I have not the slight-est idea, I’m very sorry to say.”The king replied: “You know what, we simply won’t tell anyone that the heart used to be bigger. So everybody will think it has al-ways been as it is now.”And he told his servant: “You will go on asking for two gold ducats each and if it goes the way I think it will, we’ll soon be able ask for three.”The servant obeyed his king’s orders and continued to ask for two gold ducats of all who wished to rejoice in a viewing of the treasure. However, the trade wasn't booming as it had been be-fore. Fewer and fewer visitors came to the ballroom, and those who came to receive their share of joy and contentment soon left

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again in disappointment.The king, who had hoped soon to be the richest man in the world, was severely displeased by these developments.

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Margit Zwigl, born in Innichen/South Tyrol in 1976, is married and works as a nurse in a therapeutic care centre for addictive disorders and psychosomatic medicine. Having been interested in the human soul for many years, she has produced a series of stories and fairytales, including "The King's Golden Heart", rooted in this area of special interest. www.margit-zwigl.jimdo.com

Evi Gasser, born in 1972, is married and the proud mother of a daughter. She works as a freelance graphic designer and illustrator in Kastelruth (I). She has already illustrated several successful children's books, designs drawing books, advent calendars, greetings cards and lots, lots more … www.evigasser.com

Title of the German edition: Das goldene Herz des Königs

Title of the Italian edition: Il cuore d’oro del re