La Upe was a kind and obedient son. He lived with his father and his stepmother after his mother had passed away. His life had once been filled with warmth, but everything changed when his father remarried. His stepmother was quick-tempered and impatient. No matter how hard La Upe tried to please her, it was never enough. If he made even the smallest mistake, she would scold him harshly, sometimes even striking him without mercy. His father, often away working, was unaware of how much suffering La Upe endured in his own home.
One afternoon, his stepmother called him with a stern voice. “Go to the river and catch some fish. I want to cook dinner tonight,” she ordered, her sharp eyes glaring at him.
Without hesitation, La Upe obeyed. He grabbed his fishing rod and made his way to the riverbank. The sun hung low in the sky, casting golden reflections on the water. La Upe cast his line and waited. Hours passed, but not a single fish took the bait. His stomach grumbled, and exhaustion crept into his limbs. The boy sighed, shifting uncomfortably on the riverbank, wondering if he should return home empty-handed.
Just as he was about to give up, his fishing rod suddenly jerked in his hands. His heart pounded with excitement. Something had taken the bait! With all his strength, he pulled, struggling against the weight on the other end. The water splashed wildly, and his arms trembled from the effort.
Then, with one final pull, he lifted his catch out of the water— a massive fish, gleaming in the fading sunlight! Its silver scales shimmered like polished metal, and its eyes seemed to hold an unusual intelligence. La Upe's exhaustion vanished in an instant, replaced by amazement.
But just as he was about to place the fish in his basket, something happened that made him freeze in shock.
The fish spoke.
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La Upe’s eyes widened in shock. His hands trembled as he held the massive fish. It had spoken.
"Please, young boy, let me go," the fish pleaded, its voice deep yet gentle. "I am the King of Fish. If you spare my life, I shall grant you a great power. With it, you will be able to do anything you desire."
La Upe hesitated, his heart pounding. "Anything?" he asked, barely believing what he had just heard.
"Yes," the fish confirmed. "All you must do is say, by the power of the King of Fish, and your wish shall be granted."
La Upe glanced at the shimmering scales of the fish, its eyes filled with wisdom. He felt an odd sense of trust toward the creature. With a deep breath, he loosened his grip and gently lowered the fish back into the water. The fish flicked its tail, sending ripples across the river’s surface.
"You have made a wise choice, La Upe," the fish said before vanishing into the depths.
La Upe stood in silence, staring at the water. Had that really happened? Or was he merely imagining things?
The Stepmother’s Wrath
As the sun dipped below the horizon, La Upe trudged back home. His stomach grumbled, and his heart grew heavy. He knew his stepmother would not be pleased.
The moment he stepped inside, his stepmother’s sharp voice cut through the air.
"Where is the fish?" she demanded, arms crossed.
La Upe swallowed hard. "I caught a big one," he admitted, "but I let it go."
"You what?!"
Her face twisted with rage. Without another word, she grabbed a wooden ladle, raising it to strike him. La Upe instinctively took a step back, fear gripping his chest.
Then, suddenly, he remembered the fish’s words.
He had the power.
Desperation fueled his voice as he cried, "Let my stepmother get stuck at the door—by the power of the King of Fish!"
A gust of unseen force swept through the room. The stepmother gasped as she found herself frozen in place, her hands pressed against the wooden door. She struggled, but it was as if an invisible force held her there.
Her anger turned to panic. "La Upe, please!" she cried, her voice trembling. "Let me go! I promise—I will be good to you. I will never hurt you again!"
La Upe watched her for a moment, considering her words. Then, a small smile formed on his lips. "Very well," he said. "But you must keep your promise."
Taking a deep breath, he spoke once more.
"Let my stepmother be free—by the power of the King of Fish."
At once, the force that held her vanished. She stumbled forward, her breathing heavy, her hands still trembling. But there was no longer anger in her eyes—only relief and gratitude.
From that day forward, the stepmother kept her word. She treated La Upe kindly, never raising her voice or her hand against him again.
But deep inside, La Upe knew this power could change his life forever. He just didn’t know how much—not yet.
A Kingdom in Despair
News of the princess’s illness spread like wildfire throughout the land. The king, a ruler known for his strength and wisdom, now stood powerless against a force he could not fight. His daughter, the light of the kingdom, lay in her chambers, pale and weak. The finest healers from across the land came to the palace, each bringing their knowledge and remedies—but none could cure her.
Desperation filled the king’s heart. In his final attempt to save her, he made an announcement:
"Whoever can heal my daughter shall be rewarded. If the healer is a man, he shall marry the princess and become my heir. If it is a woman, she shall become my stepdaughter and live in the palace with honor."
Hope sparked in the hearts of many. Healers, scholars, and even sorcerers rushed to the palace, eager to prove their worth. Yet one by one, they failed. The princess remained ill, her condition worsening.
La Upe’s Decision
Far from the palace, La Upe heard the announcement. He thought about the power gifted to him by the King of Fish. Could it truly heal someone as sick as the princess?
With determination in his heart, he set off for the palace.
Upon his arrival, the guards hesitated at first. He was not a well-known healer—just a simple young man from the countryside. But the king, desperate for any chance, allowed him to try.
La Upe was led through the grand halls of the palace, past golden tapestries and towering marble pillars, until he reached the princess’s chamber.
She lay there, barely breathing, her once-rosy cheeks now pale as snow. The air in the room was heavy with sorrow. Servants and attendants watched anxiously as La Upe stepped forward.
A Miracle Unfolds
La Upe took a deep breath and placed his hand gently on the princess’s forehead. Then, with steady confidence, he spoke:
"Let the princess be healed—by the power of the King of Fish!"
A soft golden light filled the room, swirling around the princess like a gentle breeze. Gasps filled the air as her pale skin began to regain its color, her weak body strengthening before their eyes. Slowly, she opened her eyes, blinking in confusion as if waking from a long dream.
The princess sat up, looking around at the stunned faces in the room. Then she turned to La Upe. "Who are you?" she whispered, her voice no longer weak but full of life.
Tears welled in the king’s eyes. He rushed to his daughter’s side and embraced her. "My child! You are well!" he cried in joy.
La Upe’s Fate
The king turned to La Upe, his expression filled with gratitude and awe. "You have done what no healer could. Tell me, young man, how did you gain such power?"
With honesty, La Upe told the king everything—about his difficult life, his cruel stepmother, and the magical encounter with the King of Fish.
The king listened intently, his heart moved by the young man’s kindness and humility. Then, with a proud smile, he declared, "I believe you will be a great husband for my daughter."
True to his word, the king held a magnificent wedding celebration. The entire kingdom rejoiced, for their beloved princess had not only been healed but had found a husband with a heart of gold.
A Wise and Just King
Years passed, and when the old king eventually took his final rest, La Upe ascended to the throne. He ruled with fairness and wisdom, always remembering the hardships he had once faced. With the princess by his side, he led the kingdom into an era of peace and prosperity.
And so, La Upe—once a simple boy mistreated by his stepmother—became a legendary king, all because of his kindness, courage, and the blessing of the King of Fish.
His story lived on for generations, reminding people that kindness, even to the smallest creatures, could lead to the greatest of destinies.
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