Destiny
by Édouard Laboulaye · from Laboulaye's Fairy Book
Adapted Version
Once, there were two brothers. One brother worked very, very hard. The other brother liked to play. Big Brother worked a lot. Little Brother played a lot. They had many good things. They were both happy then.
Big Brother felt it was not fair. He did all the hard work. Little Brother did not work. Big Brother wanted to split things. Little Brother did not want this. But Big Brother was firm. They split all their things.
Little Brother stayed happy. He was still very rich. He did not work much. Big Brother worked very hard. He worked every day. But Big Brother became poor. He was very sad. He had no shoes.
Big Brother went to see Little Brother. He walked to his house. He saw a happy lady. She sat near some sheep. She spun shiny gold thread. Big Brother asked, "Who are you?" She said, "Little Brother's luck."
Big Brother walked more. He saw a sad old woman. She slept under a tree. He woke her up. She said, "Your bad luck. Find Wise Man."
Big Brother walked a long way. He found a kind old man. The old man lived in a wood. Big Brother asked about luck. The old man said, "Watch the Wise Man. Do not talk to him."
Big Brother watched for three nights. The Wise Man of Luck gave luck. First night, he gave gold coins. Second night, he gave silver coins. Third night, he gave small stones. He gave a few copper coins.
The Wise Man of Luck spoke. "You were born on a poor night. Live with Miliza, your brother's daughter. She is the Lucky Girl. Say good things from Miliza. He listened.
Big Brother went home. He lived with Miliza. She was the Lucky Girl. He became very rich. He had many good things. He always remembered the words. He said, "These things are Miliza's."
One day, Big Brother saw his field. It was a very big field. He felt very proud. He said, "This field is mine!" Poof! The field got very hot. It almost went away.
Big Brother remembered the words. "No! This field is Miliza's!" he cried. The hot fire stopped. The field was safe again. Big Brother was very glad. He learned a big lesson.
Big Brother learned a big lesson. He was always thankful for Miliza. He remembered the Wise Man's words. He was always rich and happy. He had good luck always.
Share your luck. Be thankful for good things.
Original Story
Destiny
A Dalmatian Tale
nce upon a time there were two brothers, who lived together in one family. One did everything, while the other was an idle fellow who troubled himself about nothing but eating and drinking. The harvests were always magnificent; they had cows, horses, sheep, pigs, bees, and everything else in plenty.
The elder brother, who did everything, said to himself, one day, "Why should I work for this idler? It is better for us to separate; I will work for myself alone, and he can do as he likes." He said to his brother, therefore:
"Brother, it is not just for me to do everything, while you trouble yourself about nothing but eating and drinking; we must separate."
His brother tried to dissuade him from his plan, saying:
"Brother, don't do this, we are so well off as we are. You have everything in your own hands; what is mine is yours; and you know that I am always satisfied with what you do or order done."
The elder, however, persisted in his resolution till the younger was forced to yield. "Since it must be so," said he, "I am not angry. Divide the property as you like."
The division made, each took his share. The idler hired a drover for his cattle, a groom for his horses, a shepherd for his sheep, a goatherd for his goats, a swineherd for his hogs, and a keeper for his bees, and said to them all, "I intrust my property to you. May God have you in His keeping." And he continued to stay at home, with no more care than before.
The elder, on the contrary, labored for himself as he had done for the common good: he kept his own flocks and had an eye to everything; yet, in spite of all this, he found bad luck and misfortune everywhere; everything went wrong with him, until at last he was so poor that he had not even a pair of shoes, but was forced to go barefoot. He said to himself, "I will go to my brother's house and see how affairs are prospering with him."
His road lay through a pasture in which a flock of sheep was feeding. On approaching them he saw that they had no shepherd. A beautiful young girl was seated near them, with her distaff, spinning gold thread.
He saluted the young girl and asked her to whom the flock belonged.
"To him to whom I belong belong also these sheep," answered she.
"And who are you?" said he.
"I am your brother's fortune?" she replied.
"And where is my fortune?" he exclaimed, seized with anger and envy.
"Ah! she is far from you," said the young girl.
"Can I find her?" asked he.
"You can," she replied, "if you only look yonder."
On hearing these words, and seeing that the sheep were the finest that could be imagined, he had no wish to see the other flocks, but went straight to his brother, who, as soon as he saw him, burst into tears, moved with pity.
"Where have you been so long?" asked he. And, seeing him clothed in rags and barefooted, he gave him a pair of shoes and some money.
After staying three days in his brother's house, the poor man set out for home. No sooner had he reached his house than he threw a bag across his shoulder, with a piece of bread in it, took a staff in his hand, and set out to seek his fortune.
After walking for some time he found himself in a great forest, where he saw a wretched old hag asleep under a tree. He gave her a blow on the back with his staff to awaken her. She moved with difficulty, and, half opening her bleared eyes, said to him, "Thank God that I was asleep, for if I had been awake you would not have had those shoes."
"Who are you, then," asked he, "that would have prevented my having these shoes?"
"I am your fortune," answered the old woman.
"What! are you my fortune?" cried he, striking his breast. "May God exterminate you! Who gave you to me?"
"It was Destiny," replied the old woman.
"Where is Destiny?" he asked.
"Go and find him," said the old woman, lying down to sleep again.
He set out in search of Destiny. After a long, long journey, at length he reached a wood, where he found a hermit, of whom he asked the way to the abode of Destiny.
"Go straight up yonder mountain and you will find his castle," answered the hermit; "but when you find him take care not to speak to him, but only do all that you see him do."
The traveler thanked the hermit and took his way to the mountain. When he reached the abode of Destiny he saw a magnificent palace full of servants constantly bustling about and doing nothing. As to Destiny, he was supping at a table bountifully served. When the stranger saw this he also sat down at the table and supped with the master of the house. After supper Destiny went to bed, and his guest did the same.
At midnight a terrible noise was heard in the castle, and a voice cried, "Destiny, Destiny, such a number of souls have come into the world this night; give them something according to thy good pleasure."
And behold! Destiny rose, and opened a golden chest filled with shining guineas, which he scattered by handfuls about the room, saying, "Such as I am to-day, such shalt thou be all thy life!"
At daybreak the beautiful castle had vanished, and in its place stood an ordinary house, in which, however, nothing was wanting. When evening came Destiny sat down to supper. His guest did the same, but no one spoke a word. Supper over, they went to bed. At midnight a terrible noise was heard, and a voice cried, "Destiny, Destiny, such a number of souls have come into the world this night; give them something according to thy good pleasure."
And behold! Destiny rose, and opened a silver chest, but this time there were no guineas in it, but only silver coin, with a few small pieces of gold, which Destiny scattered on the floor, saying, "Such as I am to-day, such shalt thou be all thy life!"
At daybreak this house had also disappeared, and a smaller one stood in its place. The same thing happened every night, and every morning the house was smaller, until finally there was nothing but a wretched hut. Destiny now took a spade and began to dig the ground. His guest did the same, and both worked all day. When night came, Destiny took a crust of bread and, breaking it in two, gave half to his companion. This was all his supper. When they had eaten it they went to bed.
At midnight a terrible noise was heard, and a voice cried out, "Destiny, Destiny, such a number of souls have come into the world this night; give them something according to thy good pleasure."
And behold! Destiny rose, and opened a wooden chest filled with pebbles mixed with a few copper coins, which he scattered on the ground, saying, "Such as I am to-day, such shalt thou be all thy life!"
When morning dawned the cabin was changed into a splendid palace, as on the first day. Then, for the first time, Destiny spoke to his guest. "Why did you come here?" asked he.
The poor man told him the whole story of his wretchedness, and how he had come to ask Destiny himself why he had given him such a bad fortune.
"You saw what I was the first night, when I scattered guineas, and what followed," replied Destiny. "Such as I am on the night that a man is born, such will that man be all his life. You were born on a night of poverty; you will always be poor. Your brother, on the contrary, came into the world on a lucky night; he will always be fortunate. But, since you have taken so much trouble to find me, I will tell you how to help yourself. Your brother has a daughter by the name of Miliza, who is as fortunate as her father. Take her for your wife when you return home, but be careful always to say that all that you have belongs to her."
The poor man thanked Destiny again and again, and set out for home. As soon as he arrived he went straight to his brother's house and said,
"Brother, give me Miliza for a wife; you see that I am all alone in the world."
"I am willing," answered his brother; "Miliza is yours."
The bridegroom carried Miliza to his house. He soon became very rich, but he always took good care to say, "All that I have belongs to Miliza."
One day, however, as he was admiring his wheat, which was the most beautiful that ever was seen, a stranger passed by and asked, "Whose wheat is this?"
"It is mine," answered he, without thinking. But scarcely had he spoken when, behold! the wheat took fire, and the flames spread all over the field. Without stopping to put it out, he ran after the traveler, crying, "Stop, sir, I was mistaken; it belongs to Miliza, my brother's daughter."
The fire went out at once of its own accord. He had learned a good lesson which he never forgot, and from that time thenceforth he was fortunate, thanks to Miliza.
Story DNA
Moral
One's fortune is often tied to the circumstances of their birth, but humility and acknowledging the source of one's blessings can influence it.
Plot Summary
Two brothers divide their inheritance; the hardworking elder brother becomes poor, while the idle younger brother prospers. The elder brother seeks his fortune, encountering personified 'Fortune' and eventually 'Destiny' himself. Destiny reveals that the elder was born on a night of poverty but advises him to marry his brother's fortunate daughter, Miliza, and always attribute his wealth to her. The elder brother follows this advice, becomes rich, but when he momentarily claims his wealth as his own, his crops burn. He quickly corrects himself, the fire extinguishes, and he lives prosperously ever after by maintaining humility and acknowledging Miliza as the source of his good fortune.
Themes
Emotional Arc
suffering to triumph
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Édouard Laboulaye was a French jurist, poet, and author who collected and retold folk tales, often with a moralistic bent, in the 19th century. This tale reflects common European folk beliefs about fate and luck.
Plot Beats (12)
- Two brothers live together; the elder works hard, the younger is idle, but they both prosper.
- The elder brother, resenting the idler, insists on dividing their property.
- After the division, the idle younger brother continues to prosper with no effort, while the hardworking elder brother falls into destitution.
- The elder brother visits his younger brother and encounters his brother's beautiful 'Fortune' as a young woman spinning gold.
- He then encounters his own 'Fortune' as a wretched old hag who tells him to find Destiny.
- He journeys to a hermit who instructs him to observe Destiny without speaking.
- He observes Destiny for three nights, witnessing fortunes being assigned from chests of gold, silver, and finally pebbles and copper, corresponding to lavish, moderate, and poor births.
- Destiny explains that the elder brother was born on a night of poverty and advises him to marry his brother's daughter, Miliza, and always attribute his possessions to her.
- The elder brother returns, marries Miliza, and becomes very rich, diligently following Destiny's instruction.
- One day, he proudly claims his magnificent wheat field as his own, causing it to instantly catch fire.
- He quickly corrects himself, stating the wheat belongs to Miliza, and the fire immediately extinguishes.
- He learns his lesson and remains fortunate, always attributing his wealth to Miliza.
Characters
The Elder Brother ★ protagonist
A man of average height and sturdy build, initially appearing well-fed and capable due to his diligent labor. As the story progresses, he becomes gaunt and worn, with visible signs of hardship, including calloused, bare feet and a generally unkempt appearance from poverty.
Attire: Starts in practical, sturdy Dalmatian peasant clothing, likely homespun linen shirts and wool trousers, possibly a vest. After his misfortune, he wears tattered, patched rags, and eventually receives a new pair of simple leather shoes and some money from his brother.
Wants: To achieve prosperity through hard work and to understand why he suffers misfortune while his idle brother thrives.
Flaw: Pride, envy, and a tendency to attribute success solely to his own efforts, forgetting the role of fortune.
Transforms from a resentful, hardworking man who believes only in his own efforts to a humbled individual who understands the role of destiny and the importance of acknowledging his wife's fortune, leading to lasting prosperity.
Industrious, resentful (initially), envious, determined, persistent, humble (eventually), quick-witted (to correct his mistake).
Image Prompt & Upload
A middle-aged man with a lean, weathered face, dark, tired eyes, and short, unkempt brown hair. He wears a patched, faded grey linen tunic and worn brown wool trousers. His feet are bare and calloused. He carries a simple wooden staff in his right hand and a small, worn canvas bag over his left shoulder. His expression is weary but determined. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Younger Brother ◆ supporting
A man of comfortable build, appearing well-fed and relaxed, reflecting his life of ease and lack of worry. He maintains a healthy, unburdened appearance throughout the story.
Attire: Wears comfortable, well-made Dalmatian peasant clothing, likely clean linen shirts, sturdy wool trousers, and a waistcoat, all in good repair and of good quality. He would wear practical, well-maintained leather boots.
Wants: To live a comfortable, untroubled life, trusting in the natural order of things and his fortune.
Flaw: Passivity, lack of initiative.
Remains largely unchanged, serving as a foil to his brother's struggles and a testament to the power of good fortune.
Idle, content, generous, compassionate, trusting, easygoing.
Image Prompt & Upload
A middle-aged man with a round, pleasant face, calm blue eyes, and neatly combed light brown hair. He wears a clean, cream-colored linen shirt, a dark green wool waistcoat, and sturdy brown trousers. His posture is relaxed and his expression is serene. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Younger Brother's Fortune ◆ supporting
A strikingly beautiful young woman, radiant and healthy, with a graceful figure. Her presence exudes prosperity and well-being.
Attire: Dressed in fine, clean Dalmatian peasant attire, perhaps a light-colored linen dress with delicate embroidery, and a simple, elegant head covering. Her clothes would be of excellent quality, reflecting the prosperity she embodies.
Wants: To represent and embody the younger brother's inherent good fortune.
Flaw: None apparent, as she is an embodiment of an abstract concept.
Remains a constant, unchanging symbol of good fortune.
Calm, serene, benevolent, wise.
Image Prompt & Upload
A beautiful young woman with long, flowing golden hair, bright blue eyes, and fair skin. She wears a clean, light cream linen dress with subtle blue floral embroidery and a simple white headscarf. She sits gracefully on the ground, holding a wooden distaff with golden thread in her left hand and a spinning spindle in her right. Her expression is serene and benevolent. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Elder Brother's Fortune ◆ supporting
A wretched, old hag, frail and unkempt, with a stooped posture. Her appearance reflects poverty, neglect, and ill-fortune.
Attire: Wears tattered, dirty rags, likely dark and drab, barely covering her. Her clothes are indicative of extreme poverty and misfortune.
Wants: To embody and represent the elder brother's ill-fortune.
Flaw: Her inherent state of wretchedness and powerlessness to change her nature.
Remains a constant, unchanging symbol of ill-fortune.
Grumpy, fatalistic, resigned, somewhat cryptic.
Image Prompt & Upload
A very old, emaciated woman with deeply wrinkled, sallow skin, bleary, half-closed eyes, and sparse, tangled grey hair. She wears tattered, dark brown rags that hang loosely on her frail frame. Her posture is severely hunched, and she appears to be sleeping fitfully. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Destiny ◆ supporting
His physical form changes daily, reflecting the fortunes he bestows. He can appear as a magnificent, bountiful lord, a comfortable householder, or a wretched laborer, yet always with an underlying sense of authority.
Attire: His clothing changes daily: from lavish, jewel-encrusted robes of a lord, to comfortable, well-made clothes of a householder, to simple, worn peasant garments. Each outfit is appropriate to the level of fortune he embodies that day.
Wants: To fulfill his cosmic role of assigning fortunes to newborns, and to maintain the balance of the world.
Flaw: Bound by his own rules and the cosmic order; cannot directly alter a person's birth-assigned fortune.
Remains a constant, unchanging force, revealing the immutable nature of initial destiny but also offering a path to self-improvement.
Impassive, powerful, deterministic, ultimately benevolent (in offering advice).
Image Prompt & Upload
A powerful, ageless man with a commanding presence. He has a stern but knowing expression, with deep-set eyes. His hair is dark and neatly styled. He wears a flowing, deep blue silk robe embroidered with gold patterns, cinched at the waist with a wide golden sash. On his head is a simple gold circlet. He holds a large, ornate golden key in his right hand. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Miliza ◆ supporting
A young woman of radiant health and beauty, embodying good fortune and vitality. She is likely of average height and a graceful build, reflecting her inherent luck.
Attire: Dressed in clean, well-made Dalmatian peasant clothing, such as a light-colored linen blouse, a patterned skirt, and a simple apron. Her clothes would be of good quality, reflecting her fortunate nature.
Wants: To live her life, unknowingly bringing good fortune to those around her, especially her husband.
Flaw: None apparent, as she is the embodiment of good fortune.
Remains a constant source of good fortune, her presence transforming her husband's life.
Benevolent, fortunate, quiet, impactful.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young woman with a kind, oval face, bright hazel eyes, and long, braided light brown hair. She wears a clean, white linen blouse with puffed sleeves, a patterned red and white striped skirt, and a simple blue apron tied at the waist. Her posture is upright and graceful, and she has a gentle, serene expression. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
The Brothers' Farmstead
A prosperous farm in a Dalmatian setting, with magnificent harvests, cows, horses, sheep, pigs, and bees. The elder brother's portion eventually becomes desolate and poor, while the younger brother's remains abundant.
Mood: Initially prosperous and comfortable, later becoming stark and impoverished for one brother, while remaining bountiful for the other.
The initial setting where the brothers live together and then separate; the elder brother's return in rags.
Image Prompt & Upload
A wide, sun-drenched Dalmatian farmstead nestled in a valley, with rolling hills covered in olive groves and vineyards in the distance. Traditional stone farmhouses with red-tiled roofs are scattered amongst fields of golden wheat and green pastures where sheep graze. The air is clear and warm, with a few wispy clouds in a bright blue sky. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Pasture with the Young Girl (Younger Brother's Fortune)
A vibrant, lush pasture where an unattended flock of the finest sheep graze. A beautiful young girl sits nearby, spinning gold thread with her distaff.
Mood: Serene, prosperous, and subtly magical, radiating good fortune.
The elder brother encounters his brother's fortune personified, realizing the stark contrast in their luck.
Image Prompt & Upload
A sunlit Dalmatian pasture, rich with vibrant green grass and dotted with wildflowers, stretching towards a distant, gentle slope. A large flock of pristine, white sheep graze peacefully. In the foreground, a beautiful young woman with dark hair and traditional Dalmatian attire sits on a smooth, grey stone, diligently spinning shimmering gold thread from a distaff. The light is soft and golden, casting long shadows. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Great Forest with the Old Hag (Elder Brother's Fortune)
A dense, somewhat foreboding forest where a wretched, bleary-eyed old hag sleeps under a tree.
Mood: Desolate, neglected, and slightly eerie, reflecting bad fortune.
The elder brother encounters his own fortune personified as a decrepit old woman.
Image Prompt & Upload
A deep, shadowed Dalmatian forest, with ancient, gnarled oak and pine trees forming a dense canopy that filters the daylight into dappled patterns on the leaf-strewn ground. Thick, twisted roots break through the soil. Under the sprawling branches of a particularly old tree, a hunched, ragged old woman with a weathered face is asleep, partially obscured by ferns and undergrowth. The air is still and heavy. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Destiny's Shifting Castle/Hut
A magical dwelling that transforms nightly: starting as a magnificent, bustling palace, shrinking to an ordinary house, then a smaller house, and finally a wretched hut, only to reset to a splendid palace at dawn. It is filled with servants when grand, and becomes desolate when a hut.
Mood: Mysterious, transformative, and reflective of the arbitrary nature of fortune, shifting from opulent to utterly destitute.
The elder brother observes Destiny's nightly ritual of distributing fortunes, learning the truth about his own fate.
Image Prompt & Upload
A grand Abbasid-era palace interior at night, with high, vaulted ceilings adorned with intricate muqarnas and walls covered in vibrant geometric tile mosaics. Golden light from numerous oil lamps illuminates a long, low dining table laden with exotic dishes and fruits. Servants in flowing robes move silently in the background. In the center, a figure sits at the table. The atmosphere is one of silent, opulent mystery. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
