 royal bed. "I'm ruined," he cried.
Great Joy was filled with pain and sorrow. She needed to understand what she had done to deserve such cruel insults. After many days and nights without food or sleep, she went to the prince's palace, which had grown shabby due to his impoverished state. "Oh, Prince, in all our years together, have I ever done anything to hurt you?"
"Then why did you say those terrible things to me? Was the thought of gold worth more than what I can offer?"
The prince hung his head. Tears ran down his face. "The gold distracted me. I forgot the importance of our friendship. I am so ashamed."
"Then we will try again," Great Joy said. "Go back to the merchant and double your bet."
Again the carts were loaded, and Great Joy was harnessed to the front. The prince climbed up and sang out, "All right, you marvelous marvel, you splendid rhino, my Great Joy. It's up to you!"
The powerful rhino snorted, pawed the ground and charged forward. Her sides heaved as she pulled, until the last cart crossed the finish line. The townspeople cheered wildly as they covered her with garlands of flowers and strands of tinkling bells.
The prince collected his two thousand pieces of gold, then humbly thanked Great Joy for a job well done. That very evening, the prince and the rhino walked along the river in the red glow of sunset.
"I didn't mean to say such hurtful words to you," the prince whispered. "Please forgive me."
"I already have," said Great Joy.
And that's how they lived forever after — in friendship and great joy. Never again did an unkind word pass between them.
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Last updated on Wednesday, October 26, 2011.
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