Edited by ARR S.A. | Silesia
The legend of Death, who became a Godmother
Country: Poland
Region: Silesia
Type of inspiration: Legends
Inspiracja
Years ago, in a small village in southern Poland, there lived a certain tailor called Antoni, who had a large family. When his twelfth child was born he fell into despair, especially when his wife found an abandoned infant by the river that she could not help but take in. Despairing of poverty, he set off for the forest, and there he came across an old woman who turned out to be Death. He told her his story, and she offered her help with the baptism of his foster thirteenth child.
Satisfied, he said goodbye to Death and set off for home. When it was time for the christening, a magnificent coach pulled up in front of Anthony's poor cottage. From inside it emerged a dignified lady accompanied by two young servants. Everyone stunned with delight and only Anthony noticed that the young men were the Angel and the Devil, and that the beautiful lady was Death.
At the baptism, the child was given the name Felix, which, according to the Godmother, was to bring him happiness in life. At their departure, Death handed Anthony a bag of golden ducats, ordering him to educate the child with them.
Years later, young Felix went out into the world for his studies. He graduated from university and when he returned to his home village he found no one. His parents had died and he despaired at their grave that he should have helped them all these years and not thought of himself. However, it was too late for remorse so Felix decided to go out into the world to heal people and look for his siblings.
When he was ready to go, he was confronted by an old woman who turned out to be his Godmother. She told him that it was now time for an apprenticeship that would make him a very rich and famous medic. The condition, however, was that the moment he treated a sick person he would see her figure in his legs he must give up trying to cure him, because according to Death's wish - he must die.
Felix set off into the world and soon there was a buzz about his unparalleled medical skills. One day he found himself in the hut of a hermit whose life he had saved. Felix told the hermit about his search for his siblings, and the hermit, looking up at the stars, said that his six brothers and five sisters were leading different lives (some better, some worse), while his sixth sister was close to death.
Felix rushed to the rescue, but when he arrived he was horrified to see Death standing at his sister's feet. He knew that the verdict was already in, but he could not obey destiny. He quickly turned the sick girl on the straw so that a startled Death was now standing at her head. Then he gave the girl the medicine, and himself waited humbly for Death to take him back to his realm for disobedience.
She pointed her finger at the candle symbolising his life, the flame of which began to fade. Felix slumped to the ground and his heart stopped beating. However, the Angel Seraph flapped his wings and rekindled the flame of the Doctor's candle. Death's plan shattered and the young doctor was given a new life and could continue to heal people.
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