Francis and his Two Wishes, Italian Folktale

A long time ago, somewhere in the Italian mountains lived a father with his cripple son. One day the father said to his son, “There is hardly any bread for both of us. Why don’t you go down the mountains and you will find a better life there.”

The son wept during the night. He was sad to be leaving his father. But when the morning came, he said his good-bye and departed.

Francis, that was the name of the son, walked the whole day and the following day. But when the night came again, his lame leg started bothering him. Hungry, not having any strength left to walk to the nearest town, he fell asleep by the roadside.

The fairy guardian found the boy and quickly gathered the right herbs to prepare a mixture, which she put on sleeping boy’s leg. Then she disguised herself as a poor old woman and sat by the firewood and waited until morning for Francis to wake up.

As soon as Francis woke up, he wanted to walk on to the nearest town. But surprise, surprise, he was no longer limping. Upon seeing an old woman, he asked her if she had anything to do with curing his leg. “Yes, I know the herbs” answered the woman. “Is there anything I can do for you” asked the boy. In that instance, the woman changed back into a fairy and said “I see that you are good-hearted and I shall reward you for that. Make two wishes.” Boy pondered for a moment and said “I wish to have a sack and a stick that will answer to my each command.” “As you wish” said the fairy and disappeared. And there it was a sack and a stick laying at Francis’ feet.

Joyful boy not wasting any time said “A roasted duck.” Whiz. A roasted duck appeared in the suck. “A loaf of bread” added boy. Whiz. A loaf of bread appeared in the suck. Delighted boy enjoyed his delicious meal. Then limping no longer, he started trotting and whistling down the road to San Bonifacio.

Francis hasn’t gone far, when he saw a crying boy by the roadside. “What’s the matter” asked Francis. The boy quickly explained “My father, who works as a woodcutter, broke his arm this morning and the doctor refused to come since he knows we don’t have money to pay.” “Don’t worry” said Francis. Go home and I’ll fetch the doctor “Just tell me the doctor’s name.” “Dr. Pancrazio” said cheerful boy and ran home. Meanwhile, Francis worked his magic. Whoosh and Dr. Pancrazio flew into the sack and stick started whipping the sack. “Ouch, ouch” cried Dr. Pancrazio “I’ll do whatever you ask.” “Always help those in need” said Francis “And now run to the woodcutter and cure his arm.”

Francis continued to San Bonifacio and as soon as he got there, he saw a crying girl standing outside an inn. “What’s the matter” asked the boy. “My mom doesn’t have any money for food and the owner of the inn refused us any food” answered the girl. “Don’t worry” said Francis “Go and get your mom. Meanwhile, I’ll have the talk with the owner.” And again, he worked his magic. Whoosh and the owner flew into the sack and stick started whipping the sack. “Ouch, ouch” cried the owner “I’ll do whatever you ask.” “Always help those in need” said Francis “And now feed the hungry girl and her mom.”

Francis explored the town of San Bonifacio, always helping those in need. But the time came, when he missed his father and decided to go back home.

On his way back home, he met the fairy again. “You have never abused your powers” said fairy “Is there anything else I can do for you?” Grateful Francis said “I’ve had a good life. I have no more desires.” “If you are content and wish for nothing else, then burn the sack and the stick” said the fairy and disappeared as fast as she appeared. The good-hearted Francis built a fire and threw the sack and the stick into the flames, making sure that nobody put them into bad use.