In north-eastern Europe stretches the country of
Poland and in its south-central lands stands its pearl, namely the city of
Krakow. The Old Town of Krakow proudly displays the St. Mary’s Church with its
tower. At this tower, a Trumpet Call echoes every hour on the hour, four times
in succession in each of the four cardinal directions. However, the anthem is
always ‘interrupted.’ The legend will explain.
Many centuries ago Poland was invaded by Mongols
from Asia many times. It was known that whatever village they invaded, it was
burned down to the ground. Whatever city they invaded, it was plundered and
devastated. Only blood and tears were left behind.
One year, in 1241, the trumpeter from St. Mary’s
Church could not sleep. Dark thoughts were occupying his mind, not letting him
to fall asleep. It was still dark, when he raised his tired body from the straw
mattress and climbed the squeaky steps of the tower. He looked through the
small tower opening. Krakow’s citizens were still asleep. The moonlight’s last
light was sliding down on the roofs of houses and churches. The peacefulness of
the city made the trumpeter rethink his decision.
“Maybe I should try to rest my eyes and body one
more time.” He sat on a small bench set against the round wall. The roughness
and coldness of the stone wall and his restless mind wouldn’t allow him to go
back to sleep. The sun was slowly lighting
the streets of Krakow.
As he couldn’t sleep, he moved to the window and
looked out. The fields beyond the city walls and gates were slowly showing its
hilly shapes in the first light of day. But suddenly he froze. There were some
shades moving along the hills. He rubbed his eyes and looked again. No, he was
not mistaken. These were Tatars approaching the city.
Quickly, he put the horn to his lips, took the
deepest possible breath and blew the air through the horn. The loud trumpet
call pierced through the quiet city.
Suddenly, the lights appeared in all windows. The
doors opened and people flocked out of the houses not sure what was happening.
But as soon as they stepped onto the cobblestone alleys, they understood what was
happening.
“Tatars!” echoed from all directions.
“To the walls!” The men rushed to the walls
protecting the city. They grabbed the bows and arrows. The sky filled with
zipping arrows coming from two opposite directions.
“To the church!” The women grabbed their children
and rushed to the church. On their knees they prayed vigorously.
Meanwhile, the trumpeter continued the call,
encouraging its citizens to fight forcefully. Buckets of hot water and heavy stones
were being dropped down the walls onto the enemies. As Tatars approached the
walls, they searched with their furious eyes for the trumpeter, who warned the
city. Few of the Tatars spotted the trumpeter at the tower. They drew back the strings
with arrows and released them towards the tower. The trumpet call ended
suddenly.
A young man, who was carrying the buckets of hot
water, heard the sudden stop and rushed to the tower. But it was too late. The
arrow penetrated the trumpeter’s throat. He was dead and next to him laid his
horn.
The trumpeter didn’t get to see the triumph over
Tatars. He didn’t get to taste the victory, which he was part off.
To commemorate the input of the trumpeter, the city
of Krakow plays its Trumpet Call with a sudden interruption.
No comments:
Post a Comment