The Twelve Dancing Princesses
thane December 5th, 2007
Once upon a time there were twelve princesses, and there was a rug with jaggedies on either side. It was in the middle of the princesses’ bedroom, and down that rug there were 12 beds, one for each of the princesses. And each night when their father looked at them, their shoes were worn to holes. And their father made an announcement. Whichever man came to come and find out how the princesses’ shoes were worn to holes would have half the kingdom, and not just that, but be able to choose a princess as his wife. And suitors came from far and near to try their luck, but went home with no princess.
And finally, after all this had come to pass, a man set out on his journey. And his name was Eric. And on the way he met a woman who gave him an apple tree, and said, “Plant this tree and water it with this special water, and in no time it will be all grown up. Then pick an apple from it, and make a wish. Take a bite of it, and before you know it, your wish will come true.” And he thanked the old lady and took the special water and the apple tree.
And he planted the apple tree and watered it with the special water, and then he wished that he could become invisible, to see if he could get a princess. And he quickly became invisible. And he went to the bedroom of the twelve princesses, and when the small door was closed behind them and locked, they didn’t get into bed and sleep. Instead they got dressed in their finest clothing and the oldest princess turned them all very, very small, because she turned them into fairies. And they flew out through a hole in the ceiling. And Eric followed them.
And soon they came to some boats — twelve boats — with a prince holding the oars of each, and they climbed into the boats, and sailed across the river. And they walked up a pathway to a magnificent ball building, and they danced all night. And then they went back home, and their shoes were worn into holes.
And the man told the king what he had seen, and the king said, “Well done!” And he asked, “Which princess do you want for a reward?” And the man said, “I will choose Princess Heala” who was the youngest, and the king said, “You shall have half my kingdom as well.” And when the king died, the man became king, and the princess who had married him became queen.
The End
by Tory,
11/13/07