Two Kingdoms

Once upon a time in a Kingdom far away a Princess was born. She was born from two worlds.

Her mother, The Queen was from a world full of the most magical creatures you ever did see; some tall, some strong and some faster than any man could run. The earth here was so rich it grew the most beautiful flowers, plants and trees with sweetest fruit you ever did taste. Every day the sun would kiss your skin and the sunset would glow golden amber. Her Kingdom was called Congo.

Her Father, The King was from a world where royalty wore jewels on their heads of the most vibrant colours imaginable and the Princesses would wear beautiful dresses draped in the most exquisite silks you ever did feel. His world could create magic from the sky where snow would fall and make his Kingdom sparkle in the winter. His Kingdom was called England.

One day The King wanted to leave his kingdom and explore all the wonders that the world had to offer. So the brave King travelled through all the rivers, seas and oceans for 100 days and 100 nights. It was not an easy journey for The King, some nights the seas were wild with the waves stretching higher than the boat's sails. This did not scare the brave King for his determination kept him soaring through until finally that one morning he could see land.

He had arrived in Congo.

The first thing he saw was the most beautiful image his eyes ever did see. It wasn’t the creatures nor the flowers or fruits and nor was it how the sun kissed his skin but it was The Queen. The Queen of Congo. From the moment they met they knew that they were meant to be with one another.

The King did not want to go back to his Kingdom after he had met the Queen. The Queen's Father was worried that the King would not stay as he was from a different world and a different Kingdom. But the King and Queen did not see the difference.

Yes, they were different.

But that didn’t matter in their eyes because of the deep love they had for one another. The King and Queen got married where both worlds and kingdoms came to celebrate their love. It was a true banquet full of song, dance, laughter and joy. They Built a beautiful palace with a vibrant garden where shortly after the Princess, her sister and her brother were born. The Princesses and the Prince would often travel the seas also for they belonged to both kingdoms.

The King and Queen's world united and they showed everyone that love conquers all. And they lived happily ever after.

***

I am the Princess.

Thinking back to my childhood, there aren’t any fairy tales that I can really relate too except the one of my mother and father.

My Mother and Father met in the 70’s in Congo, I think they were very aware that they were unconventional for being in an interracial marriage. They really encouraged us all to embrace both sides of our cultures. I am black but I am also white, just because I have one parent that is black and one parent that's white it doesn't mean that for me I have to pick a side. It doesn’t mean I am solely black nor am I solely white. It means I am both.

The stories we are told or even the ones we see really do shape us into the people we are today. Understanding who we are is of such profound importance. Not only is it important to understand the challenges but to also see that not all differences are challenges after all.

Fairy tales can speak to a range of issues in different social contexts. So, knowing this and knowing who we are in society is what we can show our children through the medium of fairy tales. I believe it’s not just what we can tell our children but rather what we can educate them on. How we can expand their understanding through imagination, connectivity and emotion.

We are all deeply connected regardless of the colour of our skin or the “kingdoms we come from” it is very important to teach our children from a young age to understand that love comes from the soul and rather not from what the vessel looks like that is carrying it.

Adventure, determination, happiness and Love after all isn’t that everything that we all want?

I'm so grateful for the teachings that my parents have taught me. I don't have to choose a side. I don't have to conform to a narrative that isn't mine nor do fit in any stereotype. But one things for sure; choose Love!

In loving memory of my father, Mr Donald Webster 1938-2005