Legend of the Golden Duck

Tamka street, not far from my school. There's a sculpture of a golden duck, a Warsaw legend: "Legenda o Złotej Kaczce"

It's really a lovely area. Behind the fountain there is an amazing mural next to the Chopin institute.

Also the connecting small park is great, "Skwer Bohdana Wodiczko" (Bohdan Wodiczko square). It really has some stunning views.

Legend of the golden duck

A looong long time ago, funny how these legends always start...OK let's cut the crap and do the first bit in steno style.

Young guy, Jakub ("Kuba" to his friends), Warsaw, poor, tavern, old man spins tale.

Apparently, under the Ostrogski castle there was a labyrinth, at the end of which there was a cave full of water. Of you found the right place you would see a duck swimming. But this was no ordinary duck. Nooooo, ladies and gentlemen it was a golden duck. It guarded the entrance to a treasure, but before you could help yourself you had to fulfill the duck’s wishes. Hearing this story Jakub thought for a moment and made the decision to try and find it, he had nothing to lose.

He soon found the the courtyard and realized that the dwelling was an abandoned place. He then came across an opening that led to an underground fortress. Suddenly the cave, gleaming with gold, appeared. Its interior was filled with crystal-clear water on which the golden duck was swimming. Its plumage was of the finest ore and a precious crown adorned its head.

"Come here, intrepid one", the duck proclaimed in a human voice. "You have found what you were looking for. All you see is yours to keep, but first a test you have to pass. These hundred ducats you shall take and in a day spend them all, but on yourself and no one else, not even those you hold most dear."

Jakub departed from the fortress with a pouch full of ducats. He made his way to the most renowned tailor where he treated himself to a new shirt, a magnificent pair of trousers, a coat and a hat with a feather. Then he headed to a shoemaker who fashioned him a beautiful pair of boots with spurs. Next he took himself to  the finest tavern in Warsaw, to eat and drink. Jakub was overwhelmed with having such a great fortune, but he did not say a word to anyone.

The young man continued to confuse everyone by acquiring more and more new things, including a horse and carriage and a golden ring. In the evening he went to the theatre. He spent a small fortune  in order to occupy the seat next to the king himself and watched the play in magnificent company.

"As soon as I get hold of the golden duck treasure I shall ask for the princess’ hand and then build a palace where we will live healthy and wealthy ever after." 

Overcome by his dreams, he fell asleep with a smile on his face. When he awoke, the play had long finished. He checked the pouch his to count his ducats, but all that remained was one golden coin. "I’ll buy a jug of the finest wine and some cake and without a penny to my name I shall return to the golden duck and claim my reward", Jakub thought.

Shortly after, he spotted a beggar, a poorly dressed war-worn soldier, dying of hunger. The beggar reached out to him and in exhausted voice pleaded: "Kind sir, help my poor soul and give me a crust of bread, it is a week since I had some food in my mouth." Without hesitation Jakub reached into his pouch, pulled out the only remaining coin and tucked it into the beggar’s hand.

Then suddenly, with a crash and a flash the golden duck appeared: 

"You did not keep your word, nor our deal, when you gave the poor beggar a meal. And today, though you are in great need, a poor life once again you shall lead. Now the goods that my gold for you bought in the blink of an eye will now come to nought."

Jakub could not believe his eyes. Where a carriage had stood, he saw a pile of ashes. His beautiful clothes were no more and his new hat had simply vanished. Jakub wept for his lost fortune. He then looked at the beggar. The old man smiled and said: 

"Your good heartedness has triumphed over greed and true treasure is not enchanted gold but a generous spirit and a pair of hands eager to work. That is the way to gain a fortune and the goodwill of others."

Jakub took heed of the beggar’s advice and found himself a job as a shoemaker. He was greatly talented and learned his trade so well that in no time he was making the finest shoes in all of Warsaw. He was known far and wide for his wares and even the king’s daughter placed an order for slippers with him.

To commemorate the young man’s encounter with the golden duck, the inhabitants of Warsaw built a fountain with a sculpture of the golden duck and positioned it in the courtyard.

Lesson learned
Jakub did the right thing.
Jakub was a good guy.
Be like Jakub.