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The Tale of Ifan the Rich
In-Game Library
1 × 2 |
Obtain From | Aeira |
---|---|
Price | 300 |
Tradability | Tradable |
Other Servers | KR JP TW CN |
Also known as
- A Tale of Ifan, the Rich Man
A Tale of Rich Ivan
written by Eilieh
Long ago, there was a rich man named Ifan. Though he was rich, he was extremely kind and generous, always welcoming guests without ever turning them away. Ifan was loved by everyone and had many friends because of that.
Then one day, an ugly and filthy hunchback came to his house. The hunchback was missing patches of hair with boils all over his body. He knocked on Ifan's door and shouted.
"I heard there's a man name Ifan who lives here. I heard he never turns down a guest. I could use a place to stay for a few days. Please give me a room and some food."
All of Ifan's family members and servants looked at the hunchback with disgust but Ifan greeted him as if the man was an old friend.
The hunchback stayed all throughout Alban Elved, and even participated in Harvest Festival, sitting on the seat of honor while enjoying all the delicious food and music. Everyone looked at the hunchback with despicable eyes, but Ifan never lost his smile as he conversed with the hunchback.
As Alban Elved ended, and Samhain was beginning, the hunchback called for Ifan early in the morning.
"I'm about to leave now, and I wanted to repay for you all you've done for me."
Ifan was shocked and replied.
"What do you mean? I got to make a new friend and have wonderful company. Please don't say you need to repay me for anything. It's unfortunate that you have to leave so soon, but I guess you have to move on with your life. But if you ever need to stop by this town again, make sure you come by my house again!"
After hearing that, the hunchback started laughing as something miraculous happened. The hunchback's back began to straighten and his appearance began to change before Ifan's very own eyes. Soon, Ifan was staring at a tall handsome man, with brawny shoulders and shiny golden hair. Ifan's eyes opened wide as he stared at the man with a blank look. The man said to Ifan.
"I apologize for my rude behavior. It was only to test you. My name is Pin. The rumors of your kind heart and generosity has traveled all the way to the land of Imps, and some of them made a bet to see if it was really true. Thanks to your hospitality, I have won the bet; however, who knows what the other Imps will do. So hold on to this."
Pin asked for Ifan's hand, and then placed something in it. It was three golden seeds.
"Samhain starts tomorrow. As the borders between the different worlds loosen, the Imps will try to take you to another world. You can go with them wherever they take you, but you must never get off your horse nor eat any of the food they offer. If they try to grab you on your way home, throw the seeds I gave you on the ground. Then you will be able to return home safely."
After saying all this, Pin disappeared. Ifan's family, who had just come out, asked Ifan who that man was. After learning the hunchback's true identity, they were ashamed and regretted the way they treated him.
The next day, there was a big festival for the beginning of Samhain and many people came to Ifan's house to celebrate. As Pin warned him, there were Imps in the midst of Ifan's guest. Ifan drank merrily an danced all night. Then, all of a sudden, he found himself riding a horse, alongside the Imps who were disguised as humans.
"Ifan. Let us take you to an amazing place." "It's a place of eternal youth and happiness. You'll love it."
After passing through a familiar pathway, the Imps led Ifan through a dark foggy area and they came across a large river. The Imps took Ifan across the river, and a golden field with a clean stream flowing through it came into view. They kept walking and soon there were rainbow colored flowers all around as they arrived at a town full of beautiful young people.
"Welcome Ifan! We heard so much about you." "Would you please come down and join us?""
Ifan remembered what Pin had told him. He smiled and replied.
"Thank you so much for your warm welcome. However, I can't get off the horse because my feet hurt from all the dancing. Also, I ate and drank too much that I can't eat anymore. I'm sorry. But if it's okay with you, I would like to go explore different places."
The people were very disappointed but they didn't force him. Instead, they gave Ifan a fancy tunic and coat as a gift. Without a choice, the Imps who had brought Ifan had to take him to the next town.
The next town was filled with beautiful flowers from all four seasons and large trees. There were also gorgeous women dressed in gold and silver, singing with amazingly beautiful voices.
"Welcome Ifan! We heard so much about you ." "Would you please come down and join us?""
I was almost seduced by their hypnotizing voice, I remembered what Pin said and politely turned them down.
"Thank you so much for your warm welcome. However, I can't get off the horse because my feet hurt from all the dancing. Also, I ate and drank too much that I can't eat anymore. I'm sorry. But if it's okay with you, I would like to go explore different places."
The women were very disappointed but they didn't force him. Instead, they gave Ifan a basket full of ripe fruits and flowers. Without a choice, the Imps who had brought Ifan had to take him to the next town. This time they took him to a place with a gushing waterfall, lush forest, and a large plain. There were many young lively men hunting and enjoying themselves. The sweet aroma of meet cooking and alcohol was extremely enticing.
"Welcome Ifan! It's an honor to finally meet you." "Would you please come down and join us?""
The food and drink, and the party atmosphere almost lured Ifan off the horse, but he reminded himself of what Pin told him and refused.
"Thank you so much for your warm welcome. However, I can't get off the horse because my feet hurt from all the dancing. Also, I ate and drank too much that I can't eat anymore. I'm sorry. But if it's okay with you, I would like to go explore different places."
The young men were very disappointed but they didn't force him. Instead, they gave him a pair of leather boots and a hat. The Imps then took Ifan to another place. They brought him back to the river they had initially crossed. They said to Ifan,
"It's getting pretty late. Why don't you just spend the night at our home and rest?"
Ifan was thankful but politely declined.
"Thank you so much for your hospitality, but I need to go back home and take care of my wife and kids, as well as my servants. I should get going."
Then, the Imps' human disguise came off, revealing their true appearance.
"You make us lose a bet, take you around town, and now you just want to leave? You're just a greedy man aren't you!"
Ifan was frightened and turned his horse around and sped away as fast he could. Ifan and his horse raced through the vast field, but the Imps were close by and were right behind his tail. When it seemed like they almost had the horse's tail, Ifan threw one of the seed that Pin gave him. Then, out of no where, a giant barley field arose from the ground and created a divide between Ifan and the Imps. He barely escaped and continued riding off.
However, soon after, the Imps were on his tail again. Again, when the Imps almost had the horse's tail, Ifan threw another seed on the ground. This time, a giant wheat field arose and separated the Imps from Ifan. Ifan barely escaped again and continued to ride home.
After awhile, the imps ran through the wheat field and were soon behind Ifan's tail again. Ifan saw home in a distance and he threw the last seed that Pin had given him. This time, a giant field of reeds blocked the imps from chasing Ifan. Before the Imps could get through, Ifan jumped into the river, and swam across to the other side. There was nothing the furious Imps could do but turn around. Ifan was then able to safely ride home.
Once he came home, all the gifts he had received from the people vanished except the basket of flowers. The sweet aroma of the flowers would last forever. Every time guests come to Ifan, he always tells of his adventure and he continues to show generosity to people.