Country
Romania

Tale typology
Local traditions

Age Suitability
3-5

Tale summary
It is said that Stephen the Great (the voivode of Romania), being once defeated in a war and wandering wounded through the mountains, would have reached a place of worship of an old hermit called Daniil Sihastru. The old man would have given him accommodation, and would have feasted it with boiled corn and roots harvested in the woods.
At midnight, the hermit would have grabbed Stephen by his hand, would have gone out of his cell, and would have pointed to a certain place, asking him three times if he sees something in there. For the third time, Stephen the Great would have answered that he sees some lights, to which his hermit specified that they are not lights but angels, and that the place is holy, which, if he wants to overcome the enemy in his battle, must raise there a monastery.
Stephen the Great has been asked to take his bow and arrow, which have helped him so many times in battles, and look in the distance, as far he can see and shoot his arrow to the place of holy.
There he have to build a monastery for his people. Stephen promised to raise the monastery, and after, he gathered his army scattered across the country, and defeated the enemies. The monastery name is Putna Monastery.

Educational potential / Learning Outcomes
This tale has a high educational potential from the following point of view:
1. Basic/ adapted to age knowledge about Romanian history, especially about the Stephen the Great, voivode (prince) of Moldavia (1457–1504), Romanian region.
2. Introduce key words related to cultural/ religious/ historical aspects.
3. Introduce basic knowledge and experience learning about values related to patriotism, country love, religion, trust in God, faith, inheritance, dedication, trust in elderly people considered wise.
4. The tale can support the children understand that in situations of distress, to never lose hope, always to seek for answers and to ask for help. Can be a self-esteem learning experience.

Full Plot
Once upon a time there was a leader, a ruler of Moldavia, who was like a king for his province. His name was Stephen the Great. He was tall and strong and he wore a crown decorated with precious stones. He was brave and fair, he believed in God and he always helped the poor.
One night, Stephen the Great was very upset. Why, you ask? Because he had lost an important war with some very bad people who wanted to conquer his land, his castle and his crops. When upset, it is good for you to take a deep breath, go for a walk and talk about your problems. So that is exactly what Stephen the Great did. Still upset, he rode his horse through the woods and he went all the way up to the top of a mountain.
There, at the top of the mountain, he met an old man with a very long, white beard. The man saw that he was upset, so he asked him:
“My dear Stephen the Great, you are strong and courageous, yet I see you are very upset, what is the matter? Would you like to tell me what bothers you?”
“Good day to you, wise old man. I have lost an important battle and my country is suffering, our houses and lands are taken away from us. Without our lands, we cannot grow crops anymore. We and our cattle are starving. I must find a way. I need to help my people and their animals.”
Hearing Stephen the Great’s words, the old man answered:
“Because I see you are a good man, do exactly as I say: take your bow and arrow, which have helped you so many times in battle, and look in the distance, as far as you can see. Take a deep breath and shoot your arrow to the place you find most pleasing. Where your arrow lands is where you have to build a monastery for your people.”
Stephen the Great did exactly as the old man had told him, and he shot his arrow. It landed in a beautiful place in the mountains – a green place with a deep forest. There, our hero, Stephen the Great built a beautiful monastery. After he finished the construction, he went to battle again, to regain his lands and houses from the bad people. This time, he was even more courageous and wise and he won the battle.
This tale is based on a true story. Stephen the Great’s monastery is in the city of Suceava and you can visit it anytime.
The monastery is the proof that nothing is impossible. When you are having a hard time and you lose something, do not give up. Be wise and courageous, seek advice and go on. If you do not give up and you have patience, you will win.

Suggested activities to involve and challenge the pre-school pupils and develop their cognitive, pre-cognitive and creativity skills.
Parent who presented the story, brought a real bow and arrow to the class and children were fascinated. They even wanted to feel like Stephen the Great and wanted to learn how to do archery, so as part of the activity, we recommend an archery lesson.
Children may be invited to share similar experiences where they didn’t lose hope and seek for advices.
Role-playing games are an important tool in the development of creativity and social skills therefore we strongly recommend activities that involve switching places with the tale’s characters.

One Lesson Plan
Suggested activities to involve and challenge the pre-school pupils and develop their cognitive, pre-cognitive and creativity skills.
Parent who presented the story, brought a real bow and arrow to the class and children were fascinated. They even wanted to feel like Stephen the Great and wanted to learn how to do archery, so as part of the activity, we recommend an archery lesson.
Children may be invited to share similar experiences where they didn’t lose hope and seek for advices.
Role-playing games are an important tool in the development of creativity and social skills therefore we strongly recommend activities that involve switching places with the tale’s characters.

Suggested activities to involve and challenge the pre-school pupils and develop their cognitive, pre-cognitive and creativity skills.
Our suggested activity is to provoke children to build a miniature monastery from recycled materials, as a team.