Tale 8- The Magical Juggler

 The Traveler and Sarafelle arrived in a bright town, where a woman was selling flowers on the side of the road. Sarafelle bought one, and asked for her best story in exchange, the Traveler instantly pulling out her book to record the tale. She knew Sarafelle was genuinely trying to help, and trusted her a little more. The woman smiled at both of them and decided the best story she knew was of ‘the Magical Juggler.’

‘Many years ago, long before you were born, there lived a Juggler who was famed for his tricks. However, they all rested on one simple fact- the balls the Juggler juggled were ones he had turned invisible, so he performed the most delicate and difficult tricks whilst being unable to see the balls themselves. He drew a crowd for many years, before a visiting King saw the attractions and requested the Juggler perform for him. The Juggler, unable to decline such a request from nobility, spent hours perfecting his tricks in front of people, drawing crowds the size of cities. Eventually, the day came for him to perform for the King. The young man dressed in his finest, shiniest attire, trying to ensure he looked his absolute best for the occasion, and packed his three invisible juggling balls in his bag. Taking a carriage sent by the King to his huge home, he found the King awaiting him in the sitting room, where the Juggler took out the invisible balls and began to juggle, performing incredible tricks. By the end of it, the King had one simple request- the Juggler had turned the balls invisible, so he desired to see them. The Juggler was unable to produce them, however, as the entire thing was a warped lie and charade in order to fool crowds and gain their riches. Enraged, the King ordered the Juggler to be beheaded, as an example of what lying can produce.’

The woman finished her tale, Sarafelle bowing in gratitude. The Traveler, meanwhile, was writing it down per usual, Sarafelle taking a peek. The illustrations the Traveler drew were exquisite, detailed drawings of the tales as she saw them in her mind’s eye. Sarafelle smiled slightly, before the two of them continued their journey, glad to find another tale.

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