Turkish Story, Bald Boy and the Magic Seal | Page 6

When they arrived in the forest, the Snake Emperor was very grateful to Bald Boy for saving
his son’s life. ‘I will give you anything that you ask of me,’ said the Snake Emperor to the
boy. It was then that the young snake whispered in the boy’s ear once more. ‘Ask my father
for his magic seal which he keeps under his tongue. With this seal all of your wishes will
come true. All you have to do is ask and it will be given.’ And so the boy asked the Snake
Emperor for his magic seal, and the Snake Emperor replied: ‘You ask me for my most
precious possession, but you saved my son’s life and I will grant you what you ask.’ The
Snake Emperor relinquished his magic seal and Bald Boy stuffed the seal into his pocket and
returned home with his faithful cat and faithful dog by his side. When Bald Boy’s mother
learned that her son had given away all of their gold coins she was very angry, but the boy
promised that he would make up for this loss by marrying the Emperor’s daughter and making
a new life for his mother.
‘And how will you do that, my son? This cat and this dog will not help you do such a thing.’
It was then that Bald Boy told his mother all about the magic seal that would grant his every
wish.
The very next day, Bald Boy set off with his faithful cat and dog to the palace to ask for the
hand of the Emperor’s daughter.