Once upon a time, there lived a wealthy nobleman of a kind heart called Hubert. He was popular with the king and had a good position at the king's court. The nobleman was also popular with the ladies but he only had eyes for one who stole his heart when they first met, lady Floribanne. Floribanne and Hubert were married later that summer with the king's blessing and they moved to an elegant mansion which was a wedding gift from Hubert's father. The newlyweds did not enjoy their bliss for very long, however, as lady Floribanne died in childbirth the following autumn.
Hubert was devastated by the death of his beautiful young wife. He could no longer be a cheerful courtier entertaining and supporting the king, so he gave up his position at court and all his possessions, and decided to live as a hermit. Hubert moved into a forest lodge and supported himself by hunting wild game and cultivating a small vegetable patch. His misfortune and sadness left him with the passing of time and he was content living in the middle of the forest, away from people and surrounded by wild nature which he loved so dearly.
One day while he was hunting with his dogs, a huge white stag appeared before him. It was a majestic animal with meter high antlers and an imposing two meter tall body. Hubert was a bit startled and so were his dogs. The king of all deer scolded Hubert for hunting with a calm but firm voice. Hubert's aim faltered so he put down his bow and arrow and vowed never to hunt again.
The towering white stag surrounded himself and the noble with a white mist and sprinkled a magic spell on Hubert making him three promises. The king of deer promised the hunter he would find love again. The stag, then, urged Hubert to devote his life to protecting nature and teaching people about its complexity, fragility and why it was important to live in harmony with all living beings. The stag said that the noble-turn-hermit should especially focus his efforts on children since they were the adults of the future and they had the power to change the world of tomorrow. The deer then said that this mission of nature protection and education of children was the mission of Hubert's life and that it would bring him fulfilment and true happiness. The last promise the stag made to Hubert was that he would be reunited with his beloved Floribanne after his death. Upon saying these words, the king of deer disappeared and the mist surrounding them lifted as if by magic.
Hubert didn't say a word for a few days following the extraordinary meeting, not even to his dogs. He kept on thinking about the stag, the promises the animal made to him and the important mission he has been entrusted. At last, Hubert packed his few belongings and started on his journey teaching people about the beauty of the forest and its creatures along the way. Just as the king of deer promised, he was very happy and fulfilled thanks to his mission. Hubert saw how important that mission was and how things slowly started changing for the better over the years. During his many travels, he met his second wife, who was much plainer than his Floribanne, but who shared his love for nature and was happy to join Hubert in his mission. Her name was Matilda. She was an extraordinary woman who knew about herbal medicines, studied the human body and mind and who had an amazing connection with nature. Matilda would hug the trees, speak to the steams and plants and sing with the birds. Hubert loved her dearly.
Many years passed and Hubert and his mission of nature protection became very popular throughout the country. When the couple grew older and found it hard to travel, they moved back to his old lodge in the woods and started cultivating a vegetable garden again. Hubert and Matilda lived there happily until an old age, taking pleasure in daily concerts of singing birds and observing various forest animals such as wolves, kingfishers, deer, wild boars and eagles. When Hubert died, the last promise of the stag came true and the once nobleman, became a beautiful deer himself. He joined his beloved Floribanne in the same animal form, and together they have been roaming the wild woods ever since.
ACTIVITIES
