The Wicked Wizard's Apprentice

Long ago, a poor but honest couple hoped to apprentice their only child, a clever and intelligent young boy, to someone who would teach him a good trade so he could live comfortably. The father and son set off and soon they met a stranger who offered to teach the boy his art. "I will take good care of him," he said. "After three years, come to me. If you can recognize the boy, he can return to you. Otherwise, he will be mine forever." The father was pleased to find work for his son, and the stranger disappeared with the boy.

Suddenly, the old man realized he didn't know how to find the stranger, and he went home grieving. The years passed while the poor couple tried to find the stranger to no avail, and they lost track of time.

One morning, a little bird landed on their window sill. "This is the day you must find your son," sang the bird. "He is apprenticed to a powerful wizard with 11 other boys, and I will lead you to him." Then the bird told them how the wizard would try to trick them.

The father was very hopeful and followed the little bird to the wizard's castle. The magician was surprised to see him. "You have found me," he said. "But now you must find your son." Immediately, 12 identical birds flew into the sky, one a little higher than the others. "That one is my son!" cried the father. Suddenly 12 beautiful stallions, all alike, galloped out of the stable. The father noticed one horse paw the ground with one foot. "This one has to be my son!" he exclaimed. Then 12 handsome boys came out of the castle, all just alike. The old man discovered a tiny bug on one boy's shoulder. "This is my son!" he cried, and they embraced happily. The evil wizard was very angry and vowed to get the boy back.

On their way home, the boy explained how he and the other boys were kept from contacting their parents, and anyone that tried to escape was turned into a huge stone for many days. Once when the boy had become a stone, the wizard's daughter touched him gently and said she knew he loved his parents. Her own father paid little attention to her, and her mother died long ago. As she stroked the stone, suddenly the boy became himself again. "The power of love has set you free," the girl told him.

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The boy told his father how the wizard's daughter had assisted him in learning the magic arts. However, he wanted only to use magic to help others and overcome evil. He had a plan.