Troubadour

A sunny day in Bremen. Music thundered in the square: the Troubadour and his friends—the Dog, the Cat, the Donkey, and the Rooster—were giving a concert. The princess, having secretly escaped from the palace, stood in the crowd, holding her breath. She couldn't take her eyes off the musician.

When the song ended, she plucked up her courage and walked up to him :

"It was magical. I've never heard anything like it."

The troubadour froze. There was no arrogance in her eyes, only admiration .

"It's an honor," he smiled. "I didn't think you'd be in the audience."

"I didn't think music could touch you so much. You have a real life."

At that moment, guards sent by the King jumped out from around the corner.

— Your Highness! To the palace immediately!

The princess instinctively stepped toward Troubadour. He threw to his friends:

— It's time to act!

The donkey brayed, the rooster flew up the pole and crowed, the cat overturned the cart with apples - and a commotion began.

"Run!" The Troubadour grabbed the Princess by the hand, and they raced through the narrow streets. The dog dodged between barrels, confusing the guards. Finally, the group found shelter in an old barn on the outskirts. The Princess, breathing heavily, leaned against the wall. The Troubadour stepped toward her, but in the semi-darkness he noticed an overturned toolbox.

“Careful!” she screamed, but it was too late .

He stumbled, clutching the Princess for balance. They both fell awkwardly onto a pile of soft hay in the corner. The Princess exhaled, caught in an unexpected embrace: the Troubadour managed to put his hands out to keep from crushing her. For a second, they froze, looking at each other—very close, amid the dust motes dancing in the sunlight filtering through the cracks in the walls.