JEAN DE CALAIS
Source
Jean de Calais landed almost dead on a rock, on a rock without trees or greenery, in the middle of the great sea.
“Holy Virgin, have pity on me. On this rock, I will die of thirst and hunger."
At that moment, a Great White Bird was flying, skimming the rock.
“Jean de Calais, I am the soul of the poor dead man. Jean de Calais, you have done me a favor. I haven't forgotten it. You will not miss my help. Here, here is a loaf of bread and a jar of wine. Expect that once a week I will bring you this much."
And the Great White Bird flew away we don’t know where.
But he returned once a week, with a loaf of bread and a jar of wine. It lasted a long, long time.
While Jean de Calais lived thus, the traitor who had discovered all his secrets, and who had thrown him into the great sea, had gradually become master and lord in his castle. First, he presented himself dressed in mourning.
"Hello, Madame. I bring you sad news. Jean de Calais is dead."
Then all the people in the castle began to scream and cry.
“Yes, Jean de Calais is dead. I was his great friend. He told me all his secrets. Ask me. I am able to answer you about everything. Yes, Jean de Calais is dead, drowned in the great sea. Keep me at home. I will be your steward, but I don't want any salary. Every morning and every evening, we will pray to God to bring peace to the soul of my great friend."
What was said was done. After four years, the steward ruled as master and lord in the house. Before him, mistresses and servants trembled like a leaf and did not dare say a word.
One day the steward said to his mistress:
“Madame, Jean de Calais is dead, and very dead, drowned in the great sea. We have to get married."
The mistress was suspicious, but she was afraid to say no.
“Steward, I ask you for a year to think about it."
"Madame, I will give you one year."
After a year, the steward said to his mistress:
“Madame, it’s time to get married."
The mistress was suspicious, but she was afraid to say no.
“Steward, I ask you for one more year, to spin my trousseau, with my sister and my servants."
"Madam, I'll give you one more year."
After a year, the steward said to his mistress:
“Madame, it’s time to get married."
The mistress was suspicious, but she was afraid to say no.
“Steward, I ask you for one more year, to sew my trousseau, with my sister and my servants."
"Madam, I'll give you another year, but no more."
While these sad things were happening in his house, Jean de Calais still lived on his rock, on his rock without trees or greenery, in the middle of the great sea. Every week, the Great White Bird brought him a loaf of bread and a jar of wine.
One morning, at dawn, the Great White Bird spoke.
“Jean de Calais, sad things are happening to you. This very day your wife will be forced to marry her steward, to marry the traitor who threw you into the great sea. Jean de Calais, promise me half of what you like best, and in an hour I will carry you to the threshold of your castle."
"Great White Bird, I promise you half of what I like best."
Then the Great White Bird planted its beak and claws in the hair of Jean de Calais and flew like lightning over the great sea. An hour later, he placed him on the threshold of his house.
Source: Jean de Calais, from the French book Contes populaires de la Gascogne, tome 2, published in 1886
Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4
Hello, my name is Vincent Celier.
I am writing translations of folk tales that I found in public domain French books, so that people who do not understand French may enjoy them too.
The traitor has been misleading Jean de Calais' wife for seven years.
In the meantime, the Great White Bird has been helping Jean de Calais so that he does not die from starvation for seven years.
I had two questions in my mind about this episode:
First, why was doing the King in Lisbon? After several months, he should have realized that there was something wrong, as Jean de Calais did not bring back his daughters to Lisbon. He should have sent somebody to investigate.
Second, how can you really survive with only bread and wine? This is not a very balanced diet!
This morning Kati and I drove to Budapest Airport some 250 km from Pécs. We stopped at a gas station to go to the toilet. There I noticed this manhole cover. It was made in a French city: Pont-à-Mousson.
In this city, there is a factory that has produced cast iron products, including manhole covers, for 250 years. You will find these manhole covers in many European countries.
We arrived at the airport and welcome Agi, Isabell and Zoe, here with Kati.
We arrived around 4PM at Kati's mother's house. Here are Kati's mother between
-- Vincent Celier