(I took this from the manual)

"Before life began, before he world had form, three golden goddesses
descended upon the chaotic land of Hyrule. They were Din, the goddess of
power, Nayru, the goddess of wisdom and Farore, the goddess of courage.

Din, with her strong, flaming arms, cultivated the land to create the earth.
Nayru poured her wisdom onto the earth to give the spirit of law to the
world. Farore's rich soul created all life forms who would uphold the law.

These three great goddesses returned to the heavens, leaving behind the
golden sacred Triforce. Since then, the Triforce has become the basis
for Hyrule's providence. Where the Triforce stood became sacred land.

In the vast, deep forest of Hyrule, the Great Deku Tree served as the guardian
spirit. The children of the forest, the Kokiri, lived with the Great Deku Tree.
Each Kokiri had his or her own guardian fairy, except one. His name was Link.

Early one morning, Link was having a nightmare. It was the same nightmare he
had every night. During a storm, Link would find himself standing in front of
a mysterious castle. A rider on horseback, carrying a girl, would race by.
The girl would look at Link as if to say something. Then, another rider would
appear. This big man clad in black would look down menacingly at Link. Link
would then awaken.

"Link! Hey, get up, Link! The Great Deku Tree wants to talk to you!"

As Link opened his eyes, he saw a fairy floating in front of him. This fairy's
name was Navi. Navi was sent to summon Link to the Great Deku Tree.

"Oh Navi, thou hast returned!" said the Deku Tree. "Thank you, Link, for coming.
Thy slumber these past moons must have restless, and full of nightmares. A vile
climate pervades this world. verily, ye have felt it. The time has come to test
thine courage. I have been cursed. I need you to dispel the curse with your
wisdom and courage. Art thou prepared?"

Link entered the Great Deku Tree and broke the curse.

"Well done, Link! I knew that ye were worthy of carrying out my wishes. A wicked
man of the desert cast this dreadful curse on me. Employing his vile, sorcerous
energies, the evil one is searching for the Sacred Realm connected to Hyrule.
For it is there that one will find the divine relic, the Triforce, that contains
the essence of the gods. Whoever holds the Triforce can make their wishes come
true. Thou must never allow the desert man to lay his hands on the sacred Triforce.
Thou must never suffer that man to enter the Sacred Realm of legend. Link, go now
to Hyrule castle. There, ye will surely meet the Princess of Destiny. Present
this stone to the princess. I have foreseen that she will understand everything."

The Great Deku Tree gave Link the spiritual Stone of the Forest. Before dying, the
Great Deku Tree's last words were, "The future depends upon thee, Link. Thou
art courageous."