The Return of La Rame

Captain La Ramée was on his way back. He walked briskly and cheerfully along the road, rejoicing at the thought of soon seeing his home and his dear mother. On his way, he had to pass through a dense forest, and there, in the woods, he encountered a wolf, an eagle, and an ant. All three were sitting on the ground near a dead lamb, arguing over how to fairly divide the spoils. They argued for a long time but couldn't come to an agreement. Indeed, if the spoils were divided equally, it would be too little for the wolf, just right for the eagle, and too much for the ant.

Hearing their argument, La Ramée stepped out from behind the trees and said:

"Well, friends, can't you solve this simple problem?"

"Don't even mention it, soldier! We can't figure out how to divide it fairly," they all replied. "You've come from the war, seen a lot in your time. Maybe you can help us divide our spoils?"

Captain La Ramée thought for a moment, then drew his sword from its sheath, swung it, and said:

"Wolf, take the four legs! After all, your teeth are sharp, you'll grind the bones in no time."

"True, true!" the arguers exclaimed.

"Eagle, you take the skeleton! Your beak is strong and hooked for a reason!"

"True, true!" the friends-arguers chimed in again.

"And you, ant, take the head. You're small, nimble, and can get anywhere without trouble."

"Fairly judged! Justice has been served!"

La Ramée laughed:

"Well, if you're satisfied, stay healthy, for I must hurry home."

La Ramée was about to continue his journey when his new friends blocked his path and said:

"No, soldier, we won't let you go empty-handed! Unlike some people, we want to repay your kindness. Tell us, how can we reward you?"

"With your friendship! I need nothing more from you. Really, what's all this!" La Ramée laughed.

"Friendship it is, then," the wolf, eagle, and ant rejoiced. "Life is full of surprises. What if you ever need our help? Just know this: if you wish, you can turn into a wolf, an eagle, or an ant—whomever you desire. All you need to do is shout: 'Wolf, take me as your brother!' Or: 'Eagle, take me as your brother!' Or: 'Ant, take me as your brother!' And in an instant, you will become either a wolf, an eagle, or an ant."

La Ramée thanked them and continued on his way. He walked and walked until he finally arrived in a city. He wanted to rest and have some fun there, but he saw that everyone was gloomy, whispering among themselves, with tears in their eyes. Surprised, La Ramée asked an old woman:

"What's going on here? Has something terrible happened?"

The old woman explained:

"You guessed it, soldier. We are indeed in trouble. Exactly a year ago, a monstrous creature kidnapped our joyful Jeanette, the king's daughter. No one has been able to save her, and tomorrow the monster will devour our beauty, and then it will come for another."

"There's still time until tomorrow..." La Ramée mused. "But why hasn't anyone tried to save the beautiful Jeanette from the monster's clutches?"

"Ah, soldier, soldier..." the old woman sighed. "Many brave men have tried, but they paid with their lives, because the princess is locked in an impregnable castle, and it's not easy to reach: the castle stands on a sheer cliff, surrounded by strong walls. And the monster itself guards the castle. But no one has been able to kill the monster, because its life is hidden in a magical egg."

"What kind of egg is that?" La Ramée asked.

"Oh, soldier, this egg is no ordinary one—it's enchanted. All the monster's power lies within it. It fears neither sword, nor arrow, nor fire, nor water. But if the egg is broken, the monster will perish. Many heroes have tried to reach it, but none have returned."

"Still, it's worth a try," said La Ramée. "Just give me some advice."

The old woman told him how and where to find the castle and everything else, and La Ramée set off with a brisk soldier's step to make it in time.

But no matter how fast he hurried, time flew even faster. Soon La Ramée realized he wouldn't reach the castle in time. It was then that he remembered his new friends. "All sorts of wonders have been happening to me since this morning," he thought. "Maybe another miracle is due?"

And so he shouted:

"Eagle, I want to become your brother!"

In an instant, wings sprouted from his back. He flapped them once, twice, and soared into the sky. La Ramée flew, looking ahead. In the distance, he saw the castle, its towers touching the clouds.

La Ramée flew closer. The castle was surrounded by high, impenetrable walls. But an eagle doesn't need to ask for drawbridges to be lowered. He flew over the thick walls. At the castle's entrance, two fearsome dogs sat, fire spewing from their mouths.

"Wolf, take me as your brother!" La Ramée cried, and in an instant, he turned into a wolf.

The wolf dealt with the evil guards and rushed to the castle doors. But how to get through locked doors? La Ramée had to call on his third friend for help:

"Ant, ant, take me as your brother!"

No sooner had he spoken than he turned into a black ant and crawled through the keyhole. Then, through cracks and crevices, he made his way straight to the secret chamber. The walls of the chamber were thicker than fortress ramparts, and the windows had dense bars, not even letting in the light of dawn, though the clear day was approaching. But for some, it would be a clear day, and for others, their last... And so the ant hurried. What did bars and walls matter to him? A narrow crack was all he needed.

And so the ant entered the secret chamber. In the middle of the great hall stood a high table, and on the table was a golden chest.

It was time for La Ramée to take matters into his own hands. He turned back into a man, grabbed his trusty sword, broke the lock on the golden chest, and inside was an egg—harder than stone, blacker than iron.

La Ramée smashed the egg, and black blood flowed from it. As the last black drop spilled out, he heard the death cry of the evil monster.

And that was the heroic feat of the glorious La Ramée. He searched the entire castle and found poor Jeanette in the highest tower. She sat crying, listening to every sound, waiting for the dreadful monster. When La Ramée entered, she couldn't believe her eyes.

"Who are you?" Jeanette whispered, barely breathing.

"I am Captain La Ramée. I've come to free you from the monster. It's gone, and you are free!"

Of course, the girl fell head over heels in love with the brave La Ramée. And soon they held a wedding. When La Ramée became king, he ordered the city's coat of arms to feature an ant, a wolf, and an eagle—in memory of his faithful friends.

And ever since, the city of Bourges has had this beautiful coat of arms.

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The Return of La Rame

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