A Too Perfect Sleeping Beauty

A long time ago….

It was a dark and stormy night (no, really it was) but the King and Queen were still hosting a celebration for their newborn daughter’s christening. Wanting to be sociable (and hoping for some nice gifts) the King had invited 3 of the local fairies: Daisy, Animale and Louisa. Arriving during the storm, and drenched, having been caught unexpectedly in the downpour, each of the fairies presented her gift. Daisy went first and wished for the Princess to always have perfect hair. Animale went next, wishing for the Princess’s makeup to always look flawless. Lastly, Louisa wished that the Princess would always be dressed in the latest fashion. Suddenly there was a commotion at the door: a 4th fairy, Munificence had arrived unexpectedly, having somehow been overlooked in the invitations. ( that was the King’s story and he was sticking to it) Munificence looked perfectly dry, having had the foresight to bring an umbrella ( which upset the other 3 fairies immensely). She walked over to the tiny Princess’s cradle and paused for a moment looking down at the sleeping child. At last she spoke: “my wish is that on your 18th birthday, you will stumble on the stairs, bump your head and knock yourself out. You will remain unconscious until a just and worthy man awakens you and then you will get that which you deserve”.

At this, Munificence picked up her umbrella and went back out into the storm. The guests were in an uproar and the King immediately ordered all his architects to eliminate all the stairs in the palace. The three fairies, unable to think how to undo Munificence’s wish, could only pick up their sodden hems and go back home through the storm. The years passed and the Princess grew tall and beautiful; her hair, makeup, and clothing always magically perfect, thanks to the three fairies wishes. When her 18th birthday arrived, the Kingdom prepared for a huge celebration. The Princess, rushing to get dressed, tripped over the step up to her bed (you knew one had to be missed) bumped her head on the bed frame and sank into deep unconsciousness. The Kingdom fell into deep mourning and as the months passed, all hope seemed lost.

Then one day, a just and worthy Prince happened to be riding by and having heard the tale of the unconscious Princess, went into the Palace to see if he could be of any help. Upon seeing the Princess, he was struck dumb at her perfect beauty. He walked over and gently touched her on the hand (being a just and worthy man he certainly could not kiss her without her permission). At his touch, the Princess awoke, and the Kingdom rejoiced. The King wanted them to marry immediately but the Prince decided he wanted to get to know her first. Over the following weeks, while the Prince often admired the Princess’s perfect hair, makeup, and clothing, he found her intellect to be sadly lacking. Since she had been admired her whole life for her outward perfection, no one had ever thought to improve her mind. At last, the Prince decided she was not for him and sadly took his leave. Fortunately, in the following weeks, an equally perfect in all outward aspects (seems they had the same unimaginative fairy gifts) Prince arrived to seek the hand of the Princess. It was mutual love at first sight, and they married and lived quite happily ever after. Meanwhile, the just and worthy Prince’s horse threw a shoe on his journey home and the village where it occurred just happened to also be the home of Munificence. Their paths crossed and the just and worthy Prince fell in love with the wise fairy and they too, lived their lives happily ever after.