"And they took off as soon as the shadows were gone? Talk about gratitude."

"They didn't see me, and I don't really blame them for being so frightened."

Sophie found herself sitting on her couch in front of Calcifer. She had just finished telling him all about the witch and the two boys from the party.

"Yeah, well, I still don't like it. Are you sure that the big shadow thing looked looked like you know how? If you are I wouldn't be surprised. I always knew that tub of lard was a demon! An ugly, slimy demon!"

Sophie soon found herself giggling.

Even without her heart, Calcifer always knew how to make her laugh.

"I think you should find those boys and keep an eye on them. If that hag and her two beasts are involved in this they'll be in big trouble."

"Maybe." Sophie said as she began to shift her weight on the couch so she could lie down upon it.

Her head resting upon a soft pillow, and her legs tucked up beneath a warm blanket.

Once she was comfortable, she looked at Calcifer. Giving him a soft, pleading gaze that would drive a man upon his knees and offer her the world if that was her desire.

But Sophie did not want the world, she wanted something that was even better.

"Calcifer, do you remember how you used to tell such wondrous tales to me to cheer me up before I went to sleep? Will you tell me one now?"

Calcifer didn't bother to answer her.

Instead he began his chosen tale. Speaking words that spun inside her mind transporting her to far away lands that she could see with her eyes open.

"Long ago, when the world was still filled with endless wonders.

The kingdom of Yemen was ruled by Sultan Beela, who had three sons.

Prince Hasan, Prince Ahmen, and Prince Ali.

Each of them possessed a special skill.

Prince Hasan was the finest swordsman in the land.

Prince Ahmen was a master of the bow and arrows.

And Prince Ali was nicknamed Prince Iron Fist, for he had great strength in his hands.

While the brothers were so different from one another they did have something in common.

They loved to fight, with each other!

This had gone on for years. Arguing over the silliest things that often resulted in the brothers demolishing many rooms of the palace in their battles.

Until finally their father decided to put a stomp on it once and for all.

The Sultan knew that he would have to leave the world one day, and leave his sons behind to protect their people.

Such thoughts gave him dreadful shakes as he imagined the havoc his sons could, correction, would create if all three of were placed on the throne.

And so, The Sultan issued a royal decree.

All three of his sons would leave to travel the world. Whoever brought back the greatest wonder after the period of one year, would become his heir.

His sons would have to leave together, and then return together.

The brothers agreed to the challenge, and agreed with each other to meet at a traveler's rest so they could return home together as their father commanded.

After one final meal together at the traveler's rest, the three brothers took off. Each going a different direction.

Prince Ali headed East the to fabled bronze city of Zella. Where he found a wondrous telescope. That would show him anything in the world, all he had to do was ask. To get it, the prince had to face shadow warriors that could not die. But the prince found a way by killing their leader, and soon he was riding back to the traveler's rest with his prize.

Prince Ahmen had gone North, and found himself at a temple high in the mountains. Where it was said that the seer and his fellow monks protected the holy apple of life, a fruit that could cure any illness. What was said was true, and the seer would only allow Prince Ahmen to possess the apple if he first proved himself worthy. Ahmen shot perfect bullseye blindfolded, and amidst distractions. But then he was faced with the most difficult test. He was to shoot a single apple off the head of as young boy, while blind.

But he could not do it.

He had to choose to either take the risk or leave empty handed.

He chose the former, but proved that he was worthy of possessing the holy apple.

And the Seer gave Ahmen some advice before leaving for home with his prize.

Prince Hasan reached the ancient city of Petra, where he was shown a flying carpet by thieves who tried to kill him and steal his gold. But he defeated all of them and flew back to the traveler's rest to meet his brothers.

The three princes then spent some time showing each other the wonders that they had found.

But when Ahmen tried the telescope to see their father. They discovered something horrible, their father was sick and dieing.

It was in that moment that the learned the simple but abiding truth.

Men united will better then men divided.

In their haste to reach their beloved father, they forgot their fighting and focused on what is important.

Using the flying carpet, the three brothers were able to reach their father in time to save him with Ahmen's apple of life.

From that day on the brothers held on to that truth and ruled together in peace and harmony.

Sophie smiled as she came out of her dazed state. Calcifer's voice sending her into the prince's world.

"What advice did the seer give Ahmen?"

"That the world is full of evil and danger. That there are only two ways of dealing with it. The first way is easy and wrong, to accept it and become part of it. The second way is harder and right, to fight against it and help people with their struggles against the evil."

Sophie thought about that. It was a truth that she thought everyone should think about.

This was also her last thought before she drifted off to sleep.

~ Meanwhile ~

A dark figured glided through the darkened hallways of the palace.

It's destination Prince Howl's bedroom.

For a moment, all was silent before a black haze seeped through the cracks of the door.

It's mission complete.

The shadow departed, leaveing not so much of a trace of it's visit behind.

The Story of the three wonders is from the movie Arabian Nights. Mary Jane Pangilinan has this movie on her account on youtube. It is a good movie but I would rate it PG13 due to killing and adult humor and phrases. But it is still a good film to watch.