neljapäev, 1. oktoober 2026

THE PRINCE OF LILIES

While vacationing in Crete, I visited the mighty birth cave of the supreme god Zeus and the Palace of Knossos, which is over 4,000 years old. At the latter, the guide showed us, among other things, a fresco titled “The Prince of Lilies.” 

It was only later that I realized... a sign? My first favorite fairy tale from childhood was “Thumbelina”, in which a swallow rescues the girl from the frogs and moles and carries her off to a warm land amidst the lilies, where she finds her prince.

I once read that one’s first favorite fairy tale shapes the life that follows; the first great stories we encounter at a tender age likely have a profound influence… 

I had just broken up (with a guy who fell into the “frog” category?), but the person who was my closest friend at the time didn’t seem to like lilies…

*****

Liiliate prints

Kreetal puhates külastasin ka peajumal Zeusi võimast sünnikoobast ja üle 4000 aasta vana Knossose paleed. Viimases näitas giid meile muu hulgas freskot nimega “Liiliate prints”.

Alles hiljem taipasin, et.. märk? Mu lapsepõlve esimene lemmikmuinasjutt oli Pöial-Liisist, kus pääsuke päästab tüdruku konnade-muttide juurest ning viib ta soojale maale liiliate keskele, kust ta leiab oma printsi. 

Olen kunagi kuskilt lugenud, et elu esimene lemmikmuinasjutt inspireerib edasist elu, õrnas eas avaldavad esimesed suured lood ilmselt suurt mõju…

Olin just lahku läinud (sinna konnade kategooriasse minevast tüübist?), aga mu selle hetke suurimale sõbrale liiliad vist ei meeldinud…

THE PRINCE OF LILIES

While vacationing in Crete, I visited the mighty birth cave of the supreme god Zeus and the Palace of Knossos, which is over 4,000 years old...