The Legend about Slovakia and the Slovaks

People had already forgotteon the flood, and had grown in number until they became so numerous that they could no longer live in the old country. The Lord told them to go throughout the world. He didn't leave them with empty hands; he gave every nation a special language and special treasures. It was very lively and busy when all the nations met in front of the Lord's throne, where the Lord gave them the presents they were asking for:

"Lord, give us fertile land which has plenty of milk and honey!"

"Lord, give us strength and power so we can rule over other nations!"

"Lord, give us splendor and glory so we can become famous throughout the world!"

And the Lord gave away everything he had.

And here are the Slovaks at the very end going to meet the Lord. They walk very respectfully, but there are only a few of them, the fewest of all.

"Welcome my children. Why are you coming last?"

 "Oh Father, forgive us, but the bigger nations pushed us aside and it would be in vain to push a little nation to the front."

"Well, what shall I give you? The greater nations have already got the lands, power and glory."

"We ask neither for great lands, nor for power or glory; we ask you only for one thing. We only want your love"

"So you want love, the greatest gift of all? If you want love, you shall have it and I shall love you, the Slovak nation forever!"

And the Lord is smiling, smiling at the Slovaks, just as a father smiles at his children because he likes their request the most. But where are the limits of the Lord's generosity? Who could ever reach its bottom?

So he puts his finger into the well of paradise and touches the Slovaks' tongues and says:

"I am giving you the most beautiful language in the whole world. The Slovaks language will sound like the singing of angels. It will be as beautiful as the dew shining in the sun. The Slovak language will be as pleasant as a breeze in May, as sweet as a baby comforted by its mother, as nice as the smile of an innocent child. Listening to its sounds, the hearts of young and old alike will grow younger!"

He turned for the second time to the well of paradise and takes from it the most beautiful songs, puts them into Slovak mouths, and says: "I am also giving you the most beautiful songs. If your women start to sing, the birds will fall silent, the brooks will start sparkling, and hills will jump a little. The singing of your women will turn your country into a paradise!"

And the Lord smiles for the third time and says all good things come in threes:

"I am giving you a beautiful land under the Tatras, which will be your home. That's where you will work in your fields, that's where you'll raise your families, that's where you'll keep your Christian faith and the Slovak language. And even if you suffer, do not give up: for I shall remember you with a father's heart and I shall always help you!"

"Oh, thank you, Good Lord, thank you that you didn't forget the Slovak nation!"

And so the Slovaks have been living under the Tatras in their father's country for more than a thousand years, and will stay there forever because the Slovak nation serves God and God always protects them.