GOOD DEEDS ARE NEVER LOST
by Unknown · from Serbian Fairy Tales
Adapted Version
Once, a kind young man lived. He was a very good boy. He lived with his rich father. His father gave him a big ship. The Kind Young Man went to sea. He wanted to sell things. He wanted to help his parents.
One day, he saw a new ship. It had many sad people. They were not free. The Kind Young Man felt very sad. He used all his goods to help them. He made all the sad people free. One sad person was The Princess. She had The Princess's Helper with her. They had no home. The Kind Young Man married The Princess. He took her home with him.
The Young Man's Father was very, very angry. He said, "You are not my son!" He sent his son away. The Kind Young Man felt sad. His mother helped him. She talked to his father. After some time, his father took him back.
His father gave him a new ship. The Kind Young Man went to sea again. He came to a city. Many people were in a bad place. They owed money. The Kind Young Man sold his new ship. He sold all his goods. He paid for all the people. He made them free. He had no ship. He had no goods.
His father was very, very angry again. He said, "You are not my son!" He sent his son away again. The Kind Young Man felt sad. His mother helped him again. She talked to his father again. After some time, his father took him back. His father gave him a third ship. It was a very big ship.
The Kind Young Man went to sea again. He loved The Princess very much. He painted her picture. He painted The Princess's Helper's picture. He put their pictures on the ship's front. He put their pictures on the ship's back.
He came to a new city. The King of this city saw the ship. He saw the pictures. The King was very surprised. He was very happy. "This is my daughter!" he said. "This is her helper!"
The Kind Young Man met The King. He told his story. He told about The Princess. The King was very happy. He said, "You will be the next king!" The King asked his people to come. They would live in the palace.
The Kind Young Man went to get his people. A bad man was on the ship. The bad man did not like him. He wanted to be king. He pushed the young man into the big, cold sea. The bad man was mean.
The Kind Young Man was in the water. He swam to a small island. He stayed there for many days. He had no food. He had no water. An Old Man found him. The Old Man had a small boat. The Kind Young Man promised to give the Old Man a big reward later. The Old Man took him away.
The Kind Young Man walked around with no home and no money. He was very sad. He came to the palace. He saw The Princess. She saw his ring. It was his wedding ring. She knew it was him!
The Kind Young Man told his story again. He told about the bad man's trick. The King was very angry. All were very happy. The Kind Young Man became the new king. He was a good king.
The bad man was brought to him. The new king said, "I forgive you." He sent the bad man far away. The new king was very kind.
Then, the Old Man came. He asked for his big reward. The new king smiled. He was ready to share. The Old Man smiled too. He was not an old man! He was a special helper from above, sent to see if the young man was truly good. The Special Helper said, "Your kind heart made good things happen. Always be kind, and good things will come back to you." The Kind Young Man was a good king. He was always kind. The Special Helper showed that good deeds always get a good reward. So, always be kind!
Original Story
GOOD DEEDS ARE NEVER LOST
In days gone by there lived a married couple who had one only son. When he grew up they made him learn something which would be of use to him in afterlife. He was a kind, quiet boy, and feared God greatly. After his schooling was finished his father gave him a ship, freighted with various sorts of merchandise, so that he might go and trade about the world, and grow rich, and become a help to his parents in their old age. The son put to sea, and one day the ship he was in met with a Turkish vessel in which he heard great weeping and wailing. So he demanded of the Turkish sailors, “Pray tell me why there is so much wailing on board your ship?” and they answered, “We are carrying slaves which we have captured in different countries, and those who are chained are weeping.”
Then he said, “Please, brothers, ask your captain if he would give me the slaves for ready cash.”
The captain gladly agreed to the proposal, and after much bargaining the young man gave to the captain his vessel full of merchandise, and received in exchange the ship full of slaves.
Then he called the slaves before him, and demanded of each whence he came, and told them all they were free to return to their own countries. At last he came to an old woman who held close to her side a very beautiful girl, and he asked them from what country they came. The old woman told him, weeping, that they came from a very distant land, saying, “This young girl is the only daughter of the king, and I am her nurse, and have taken care of her from her childhood. One day, unhappily, she went to walk in a garden far away from the palace, and these wicked Turks saw her and caught her. Luckily I happened to be near, and, hearing her scream, ran to her help, and so the Turks caught me too, and brought us both on board of this ship.” Then the old woman and the beautiful girl, being so far from their own country, and having no means of getting there, begged him that he would take them with him. So he married the girl, took her with him, and returned home.
When he arrived his father asked him about his ship and merchandise, and he told him what had happened, how he had given his vessel with its cargo, and had bought the slaves and set them free. “This girl,” continued he, “is a king’s daughter, and the old woman her nurse; as they could not get back to their country, they prayed to remain with me, so I married the girl.”
Thereupon the father was very angry, and said, “My foolish son! what have you done? Why have you made away with my property without cause and of your own will?” and he drove him out of the house.
Then the son lived with his wife and her old nurse a long time in the same village, trying always, through the good offices of his mother and other friends, to obtain his father’s forgiveness, and begging him to let him have a second ship full of merchandise, promised to be wiser in future. After some time the father took pity on him, and received him again into his house, with his wife and her old nurse. Shortly after he fitted him out another ship, larger than the first one, and filled with more valuable merchandise. In this he sailed, leaving his wife and her nurse in the house of his parents. He came one day to a city where he found the soldiers very busy carrying some unlucky villagers away to prison. So he asked them, “Why are you doing this, my brethren? Why are you driving these poor people to prison?” and the soldiers answered:
“They have not paid the king’s taxes, that is why we take them to prison.”
Then he went to the magistrate and asked, “Please tell me how much these poor prisoners owe?”
When the magistrate told him he sold his goods and ship, and paid the debts of all the prisoners, and returned home without anything. Falling at the feet of his father, he told him what he had done, and begged him to forgive him. But the father was exceedingly angry, more so than before, and drove him away from his presence. What could the unhappy son do in this great strait? How could he go begging, he whose parents were so rich? After some time his friends again prevailed upon the father to receive him back, because, they urged, so much suffering had made him wiser. At last the father yielded, took him again into his house and prepared a ship for him finer and richer than the two former ones. Then the son had the portrait of his wife painted on the helm, and that of the old nurse on the stern, and, after taking leave of his father and mother and wife, he sailed away the third time.
After sailing for some days he came near a large city, in which there lived a king, and, dropping anchor, he fired a salute to the city. All the citizens wondered, as did also their king, and no one could say who the captain of the strange ship might be. In the afternoon the king sent one of his ministers to ask who he was, and why he came; and the minister brought a message that the king himself would come at nine o’clock the next morning to see the ship. When the minister came he saw on the helm the portrait of the king’s daughter, and on the stern that of her old nurse, and in his surprise and joy dared not believe his own eyes. For the princess had been promised to him in marriage while she was yet a child, and long before she was captured by the Turks.
But the minister did not tell anyone what he had seen.
Next morning, at nine o’clock, the king came with his ministers on board the ship, and asked the captain who he was, and whence he came.
Whilst walking about the vessel he saw there the portrait of the girl on the helm and that of the old woman on the stern, and recognised the features of his own daughter and her old nurse who had been captured by the Turks. But his joy was so great he dared not believe his eyes, so he invited the captain to come that afternoon to his palace to relate his adventures, hoping thus to find out if his hopes were well founded.
In the afternoon, in obedience to the king’s wish, he went to the palace, and the king at once began to inquire why the figure of the girl was painted on the helm and that of the old woman on the stern. The captain guessed at once that this king must be his wife’s father, so he told him everything that had happened—how he had met the Turkish ship filled with slaves, and had ransomed them and set them free. “This girl, alone,” he continued, “with her old nurse, had nowhere to go, as her country was so far off, so they asked to remain with me, and I married the girl.”
When the king heard this he exclaimed, “That girl is my only child, and the accursed Turks took her and her old nurse. You, since you are her husband, will be the heir to my crown. But go—go at once to your home and bring me your wife that I may see her—my only daughter, before I die. Bring your father, your mother, bring all your family. Let your property be all sold in that country, and come all of you here. Your father shall be my brother, and your mother my sister, as you are my son and the heir to my crown. We will all live together here in one palace.” Then he called the queen, and all his ministers, and told them all about his daughter. And there was great rejoicing and festivity in the whole court.
After this the king gave his son-in-law his own large ship to bring back the princess and the whole family. So the captain left his own ship there, but he asked the king to send one of his ministers with him, “Lest they should not believe me,” he said; and the king gave him as a companion for his voyage the same minister to whom he had formerly promised the princess in marriage. They arrived safely in port, and the captain’s father was surprised to see his son return so soon, and with such a splendid vessel.
Then he told all that had happened, and his mother and wife, and especially the old nurse, rejoiced greatly when they heard the good news. As the king’s minister was there to witness the truth of this strange news, no one could doubt it. So the father and mother consented to sell all their property and go to live in the king’s palace.
But the minister resolved to kill this new heir to the king and husband of the princess who had been promised to him for wife; so, when they had sailed a long distance, he called him on deck to confer with him. The captain had a quiet conscience, and did not suspect any evil, so he came up at once, and the minister caught him quickly and threw him overboard.
The ship was sailing fast, and it was rather dark, so the captain could not overtake her, but was left behind in the deep waters. The minister, however, went quietly to sleep.
Fortunately the waves carried the king’s young heir to a rock near the shore; it was, however, a desert country, and no one was near to help him. Those he had left on board the ship, seeing next morning that he had disappeared, began to weep and wail, thinking he had fallen overboard in the night and been drowned. His wife especially lamented him, because they had loved each other very much. When the ship arrived at the king’s city, bringing news of the disaster, the king was troubled, and the whole court mourned greatly. The king kept the parents and family of the young man by him as he had engaged to do, but they could not console themselves for their great loss.
“He noticed an old man on the shore”
Meanwhile, the king’s unhappy son-in-law sat on the rock, and lived on the moss which grew there, and was scorched by the hot sun, from which he had no shelter; his garments were soiled and torn, and no one would have recognised him. Still not a living soul was to be seen anywhere to help him. At last, after fifteen days and fifteen nights, he noticed an old man on the shore, leaning on a staff, and engaged in fishing. Then the king’s heir shouted to the old man, and begged him to help him off the rock. The old fisherman consented—
“If you will pay me for it,” said he.
“How can I pay you when, as you see, I have nothing, and even my clothes are only rags?” answered the young man sadly.
“Oh, that matters nothing,” exclaimed the old man; “I have here pen and paper, so, if you know how to use them, write a promise to give me half of everything you may ever possess, and then sign the paper.”
To that the young man gladly consented; so the old man walked through the water to him, and he signed the paper, and then the old man took him over to the shore. After that he journeyed from village to village, barefoot, hungry, and sorrowful, and begged some garments to cover him.
After thirty days’ wandering his good luck led him to the city of the king, and he went and sat at the door of the palace, wearing on his finger his wedding-ring, on which were his own name and the name of his wife. At eventide the king’s servants took him into the courtyard, and gave him to eat what remained of their supper. Next morning he took his stand by the garden-door, but the gardener came and drove him away, saying that the king and his family were soon coming that way. So he moved away a little, and sat down near a corner of the garden, and shortly afterwards he saw the king walking with his mother, his father leading the queen, and his wife walking with the minister, his great enemy. He did not yet desire to show himself to them, but as they passed near him and gave him alms, his wife saw the wedding-ring on a finger of the hand which he held out to take the money. Still she could not think the beggar could be her husband, so she said:
“Let me see the ring you have on your finger.”
The minister, who was walking by her, was a little frightened, and said:
“Go on, how can you speak to that ragged beggar?”
But she would not hear him. She took the ring, and read thereon her own and her husband’s names. Her heart was greatly troubled by the sight of the ring, but she controlled her feelings and said nothing. As soon as they returned to the palace she told the king, her father, that she had recognised her husband’s ring on the hand of the beggar who sat by the side of the garden. “So please send for him,” said she, “that we may find out how the ring came into his hands.”
Then the king sent his servants to find the beggar, and they brought him to the palace. And the king asked him whence he came, and how he got that ring. Then he could no longer restrain himself, but told them how he had been thrown overboard by the treacherous minister, and spent fifteen days and nights on the naked rock, and how he had been saved.
“You see now how God and my right-dealing have brought me back to my parents and my wife.”
When they heard that they could hardly speak, so rejoiced were they. Then the king summoned the father and mother, and related what had happened to their son.
The servants quickly brought him fine new garments, and bathed and clothed him. Then for many days there were great rejoicings, not only in the palace, but also in all the city, and he was crowned as king. The minister was seized by the king’s order, and given up to the king’s son-in-law, that he might punish him after his own will. But the young king would not permit him to be put to death, but forgave him, on condition that he left the kingdom instantly.
A few days after the old man who had saved the young king came, bringing with him his written promise. The young king took the paper and, reading it, said:
“My old man, sit down. To-day I am king, but if I were a beggar I would fulfil my word, and acknowledge my signature. Therefore we will divide all that I have.”
So he took out the book and began to divide the cities.
“This is for me—that is for you.” So saying, he wrote all on a chart, till all was divided between them, from the greatest city to the poorest barrack.
The old man accepted his half, but immediately made a present of it again to the young king, saying:
“Take it. I am not an old man, but an angel from God. I was sent by God to save thee, for the sake of thy good deeds. Now reign and be happy, and may thy prosperity last long.”
The angel disappeared, and the king reigned there in great happiness.
Story DNA
Moral
Good deeds, even when seemingly costly or unappreciated, are never truly lost and will eventually be rewarded.
Plot Summary
A kind young merchant's son repeatedly gives away his wealth to free slaves and debtors, incurring his father's wrath but eventually marrying a princess. On his third voyage, he discovers his wife's royal lineage, but is betrayed and thrown overboard by a jealous minister. After surviving as a beggar, his wife recognizes him, leading to his restoration, coronation, and forgiveness of his betrayer. Finally, an old man who rescued him reveals himself to be an angel, confirming that his good deeds were divinely observed and rewarded.
Themes
Emotional Arc
suffering to triumph
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Reflects a pre-industrial society where trade was a primary means of wealth, and slavery was a recognized, though often condemned, practice. The concept of divine reward for virtue is common in many folk traditions.
Plot Beats (14)
- A kind young man is sent by his wealthy father on a trading voyage.
- He encounters a slave ship, buys all the slaves with his merchandise, and sets them free, marrying a princess and her nurse who have no home.
- His father is furious and disowns him, but eventually takes him back.
- On a second voyage, he sells his ship and goods to pay the taxes of imprisoned villagers, freeing them.
- His father is even angrier and disowns him again, but is eventually persuaded to take him back and equip a third, grander ship.
- On the third ship, he paints portraits of his wife and her nurse on the helm and stern.
- He arrives at a city where the King recognizes the portraits as his long-lost daughter and her nurse.
- The young man recounts his story, and the King, his wife's father, declares him heir and invites his entire family to live in the palace.
- The King's minister, who was promised the princess, throws the young man overboard during the return journey to collect his family.
- The young man is washed ashore on a desert rock, survives for fifteen days, and is rescued by an old fisherman in exchange for a signed promise of half his future possessions.
- He wanders as a beggar and eventually arrives at his wife's father's palace, where his wife recognizes his wedding ring.
- He reveals his identity and the minister's treachery, leading to great rejoicing and his coronation as king.
- The young king forgives the minister, banishing him instead of executing him.
- The old fisherman appears to claim his half of the kingdom, but reveals himself to be an angel sent by God to test and reward the young king for his good deeds.
Characters
The Young Man (later Young King)
Of average height and build, with a generally pleasant and unassuming demeanor. His features are not explicitly described as striking, but rather convey a sense of quiet earnestness. After his ordeal on the rock, he appears gaunt, sun-scorched, and his body is likely covered in minor scrapes and bruises from exposure.
Attire: Initially, he wears the fine, practical clothing of a wealthy merchant's son, likely made of good quality linen and wool in muted, respectable colors, perhaps a tunic, trousers, and a simple cloak. During his wanderings, his clothes are reduced to torn, soiled rags. Upon his return to the palace, he is bathed and clothed in 'fine new garments,' which would be luxurious court attire, possibly silk or brocade, befitting a king's son-in-law, in rich colors like deep blue or crimson.
Wants: To do good deeds, to honor his word, to return to his family, and eventually to rule justly.
Flaw: Naivety and excessive trust in others, particularly the minister, which leads to him being thrown overboard. His generosity, while a strength, also initially causes him great hardship and his father's wrath.
Begins as a naive but good-hearted merchant's son who sacrifices his wealth for others. He endures hardship, betrayal, and near-death, which tests his faith and resilience. He ultimately returns, is recognized, and ascends to kingship, demonstrating that his good deeds are indeed rewarded, and he learns to temper his naivety with wisdom, though his core generosity remains.
Kind, quiet, God-fearing, generous, forgiving, naive, persistent, honorable.
The King's Daughter (later Young Queen)
Described as 'very beautiful.' Her exact height and build are not specified, but she possesses a graceful presence befitting royalty. Her beauty is striking enough to be recognized from a portrait.
Attire: Initially, she is a captive, so her clothing would be simple and likely soiled. After being freed and married, she would wear the modest but good quality clothing of a merchant's wife. As a princess living in her father-in-law's house, and later as a queen, she would wear elegant, richly colored gowns made of fine fabrics like silk or brocade, possibly adorned with subtle embroidery or jewelry. Her clothing would reflect her royal status and the cultural context of the story.
Wants: To return to her home country, to be reunited with her family, to support her husband, and to find justice for him.
Flaw: Her initial helplessness as a captive, and her inability to prevent her husband's banishments or betrayal.
Begins as a helpless captive, then becomes a loving wife who endures her husband's banishments. She later plays a crucial role in his recognition and restoration, demonstrating her intelligence and loyalty. She becomes a queen alongside him.
Loyal, observant, loving, patient, intelligent, resilient.
The Old Nurse
An old woman, likely with a stooped posture from age and hardship. Her features would show the lines of a life of service and worry. Her build would be slender due to her age.
Attire: Initially, simple, worn clothing of a servant, likely coarse linen or wool. After being freed, she would wear modest but clean garments, perhaps a dark, long-sleeved dress and a head covering. Her clothing would always be practical and unassuming.
Wants: To protect and care for the King's Daughter, to return to her home, and to remain with her charge.
Flaw: Her age and physical vulnerability, which made her unable to prevent the princess's capture.
Remains a constant, loyal presence throughout the story, enduring hardship alongside the princess and the Young Man. Her presence symbolizes the princess's royal lineage and the deep bonds of loyalty.
Loyal, protective, devoted, resilient, sorrowful (initially).
The Father (Young Man's Father)
A man of mature years, likely robust and well-fed, reflecting his wealth as a merchant. His posture would convey authority and a certain sternness.
Attire: Rich, conservative merchant attire. Likely a long, dark wool coat or tunic over fine linen shirts, with trousers and polished leather shoes. His clothing would be of excellent quality but not ostentatious, reflecting his practical nature.
Wants: To ensure his son's financial success and the family's wealth, to maintain his property, and to see his son become a help in his old age.
Flaw: His quick temper and inability to see beyond material wealth, which causes him to repeatedly banish his son.
Begins as a supportive father, but becomes increasingly angry and unforgiving as his son 'wastes' his property. He is repeatedly swayed by others to forgive his son, eventually learning the true value of his son's character over material wealth, especially after his son is recognized as a king.
Strict, pragmatic, easily angered, materialistic, eventually forgiving (due to persuasion), concerned for his family's prosperity.
The Mother (Young Man's Mother)
A woman of mature years, likely of a gentle demeanor. Her build would be soft, reflecting a life of comfort.
Attire: Comfortable, respectable clothing of a wealthy merchant's wife. Likely a long, flowing dress of good quality linen or silk in soft colors, with a shawl or apron. Her attire would be elegant but understated.
Wants: To protect and support her son, to reconcile him with his father, and to ensure his well-being.
Flaw: Her inability to directly defy her husband's anger, relying instead on persuasion.
Remains a constant source of love and support for her son, repeatedly interceding with her husband on his behalf. She endures the pain of her son's banishments and later his presumed death, but finds joy in his eventual return and triumph.
Kind, compassionate, supportive, persistent (in advocating for her son), loving, worried.
The Minister
A man of authority, likely well-dressed and appearing outwardly respectable. His build would be average, perhaps slightly portly, indicative of his position. His features would be sharp, capable of concealing his true intentions.
Attire: Fine, formal court attire. Likely rich robes of silk or brocade in deep colors like purple or dark green, possibly with gold embroidery, signifying his high status. He might wear a jeweled turban or a formal cap.
Wants: To claim the King's Daughter as his wife and secure his position of power, eliminating any rivals.
Flaw: His overwhelming envy and ambition, which drive him to commit heinous acts, and his fear of being exposed.
Begins as a respected minister with a claim to the princess. He becomes a treacherous villain, attempting to murder the Young Man to secure his position. His plot is eventually exposed, and he is banished, losing everything he sought to gain.
Treacherous, envious, cunning, ambitious, cowardly, deceitful.
The King (King's Daughter's Father)
A regal and dignified elderly man, likely with a commanding presence despite his age. His build would be robust, reflecting his royal status.
Attire: Magnificent royal attire. Flowing robes of rich fabrics like velvet or brocade, in colors such as deep red or royal blue, adorned with gold embroidery and precious jewels. He would wear a crown or a jeweled turban.
Wants: To find his lost daughter, to rule his kingdom justly, and to ensure the happiness of his family.
Flaw: His initial inability to recognize his daughter's portrait due to overwhelming emotion, and his trust in the treacherous minister.
Begins in sorrow over his lost daughter. He experiences immense joy at the discovery of her portrait and the return of his daughter and son-in-law. He then endures the grief of his son-in-law's presumed death, only to be overjoyed again at his miraculous return. He ultimately crowns the Young Man as king.
Benevolent, just, sorrowful (over his daughter's loss), overjoyed (at her return), trusting (initially of his minister), grateful.
The Old Fisherman (The Angel)
As the old fisherman, he appears as a frail, weathered old man, leaning on a staff. His body would be thin and stooped from age and a life of labor. As an angel, his true form is not described, but his disappearance suggests a non-physical or ethereal nature.
Attire: As the old fisherman, simple, patched, and practical clothing suitable for fishing, likely coarse linen or wool in muted, earthy tones. He would wear a simple cap. As an angel, his true attire is not described, but his human guise is humble.
Wants: To test the Young Man's character and honor, and to reward him for his good deeds on God's behalf.
Flaw: None, as he is an angel.
Appears as a seemingly opportunistic old fisherman who demands a high price for his help. He then reveals his true identity as an angel, confirming that the Young Man's good deeds are recognized by God and are the reason for his salvation and prosperity.
Shrewd (as fisherman), wise, benevolent, testing, divine.
Locations
The Father's House
A family home, likely of a wealthy merchant, where the son returns after his voyages. It is a place of both comfort and conflict, where the father's anger and eventual forgiveness play out.
Mood: Initially warm and familial, becoming tense and angry due to the father's disapproval, then returning to a state of reconciliation.
The son returns home after his first and second voyages, facing his father's wrath and being driven out, then later being received back.
The King's City and Harbor
A bustling port city with a prominent harbor where ships drop anchor and fire salutes. The city is home to a king and his palace, and its streets are active with soldiers and citizens.
Mood: Initially curious and welcoming, later becoming a place of royal intrigue and public mourning.
The son's ship arrives, drawing the king's attention. The king visits the ship, and later the son is invited to the palace.
The King's Palace
A grand royal residence where the king lives with his family and court. It features courtyards, garden doors, and rooms for receiving guests and holding celebrations.
Mood: Initially formal and hopeful, transitioning to mourning, and finally to great rejoicing and celebration.
The son is invited to the palace, later returns as a beggar, and is eventually recognized and crowned king here. The minister is also brought to justice here.
Desert Rock near Shore
A desolate, sun-scorched rock formation rising from the sea near a desert shore. It offers no shelter from the elements and is devoid of human presence.
Mood: Desolate, desperate, isolated, and harsh.
The son is stranded here for fifteen days and nights after being thrown overboard, surviving on moss until rescued by an old fisherman.