Bald Boy and the Magic Seal

Hi! My name is Nevzat. I’m 9 years old and I’m from Turkey. I want to tell you a local story that originates from Turkish culture. It’s called “Bald Boy and the Magic Seal”.

Once upon a time, there was a Bald Boy. He sold all his crops at the marketplace and earned 3 gold coins. He was very pleased with himself because now his mother could buy food for the winter. When he was going home, he saw a group of men. They were teasing a cat with a long stick. Bald Boy walked up to the men and said: ‘If you stop, I will give you a gold coin.’ So, the man agreed and he gave one of his coins to them. The boy and the cat walked for a few miles until they saw an old man and an old woman who were beating a dog because it was barking too loudly.

Bald Boy went to the old couple and said: ‘Please stop beating that poor dog. If you stop, I will give you a gold coin.’ So, the couple agreed and he gave one of his coins to them. The three friends continued on their journey home. Not long after this, Bald Boy saw two woodcutters. They were trying to kill a snake so the boy said: “If you leave the snake, I will give you a gold coin.” So, they agreed and he gave one of his coins to them. The snake was very grateful and it whispered in the boy’s ear. “Thank you, for saving my life. I am the son of the Snake Emperor and you must come home with me so that my father might thank you in person for your kindness.” Bald Boy had no more gold coins to buy food, but he was still happy because he saved his three friends. Finally, the Snake Emperor gave the boy a magic seal. The boy wished for a palace so he can give his mother a better life. The boy and his mother lived happily ever after.