You know all about Prince Charming.

But what about Praslea the Brave?

Romanian folklore is really wonderful. What I really love about it is that it really emphasizes the Romanian spirit: courageous, fair but also a bit resigned to the fact that life will probably not go as we wish it. Although in the stories, there are usually happy endings, there's a bit of shade too.
The characters are fascinating and can easily rival the Disney characters so well known in the west.
For them too, we see a certain Romanian flair and although not as famous internationally, I think they do deserve to be known. In this post, I'll talk about Praslea.

Praslea is the main character of the Romanian fairy tale "Prislea the Brave and the Golden Apples ".

Romanian book cover. Everybody has this book at home in Romania ]

Here's how the story goes:

An old king has a tree that year after year gives golden apples. Unfortunately, year after year, are all stolen by a thief. The king is upset because he never gets to taste the golden apples. He decides to send his sons to catch the thief.
After both his elder sons fail to catch the thief, it is Praslea's, the youngest son, turn to try.
Neither his father, nor his brothers believe he can succeed, but Praslea is shrewd. This is a common theme in Romanian folklore, the underdog is usually much more resourceful than initially believed. Maybe because as people we were always the underdog?

He sets up a stakeout in the garden with a smart devise that prevents him from falling asleep. He waits for the thief to come and when he hears something he shoots an arrow. He never sees the thief but the Golden Apple is there on the ground near a trail of blood.
The thief escaped but the apples are finally for his father to taste!

(Maria Surducan illustrates a graphic novel based on Praslea)

But Prislea's story doesn't end here: determined to finish the job and to catch the thieves, he embarks on a journey to the mythical Other Land. An adventure that will see Praslea facing ZMEI (which are romanian ogres sort of) monsters, completing quests and saving princesses.
Of course there are princesses!! And given that they are Romanian princess you can bet they are beautiful ;)

Of course, his jealous brothers betray him when he comes back. Still, this doesn't turn into a revenge story because his generous nature shines again and he forgives his brothers, letting their punishment onto God. I like to think that we are all like that but who am I kidding?!

This beloved Romanian fairy tale is a symbolic story of good versus evil, where Prislea embodies the epitome of goodness.

He never wavers from his path, he is altruistic to self-denial and does nothing for his own gain, he is motivated only by helping people, pleasing his father and, once, even saving the offspring of a dragon with his own life at stake.

Praslea is also bestowed with supernatural powers by friendly characters he meets and helps in his travels. Still, there are always an extension of his kind nature and his drive to do the right thing, always being ready to protect and help those in need and bring justice wherever it is necessary. 

Yes, he is a bit like a romanian Captain America!

Prislea is a hero, a model to look up to and is forever a special character in the Romanian folklore.

That's the main story, but I encourage you to find an english version online and read it all as the story is very fun and there are some dark characters.

What's cool is that in recent years we've seen a movement to revive and reinvent these cool folklore characters in a relatively young medium: Romanian Comics and Graphic Novels.

Some reinvent them from ground up, some just say the story anew and with great graphics.

An amazing example is from Maria Surducan . Check her out!

That's it and as Romanians say: * An' the wheel bend, an' the story end* ( well sort of but that can't be translated )