The Three Princesses - An Allegorical Fairytale

There once lived a King and Queen who were blessed with three daughters.

One princess was tall with hair that was thick and dark and fell about her shoulders like the blood-red curtains in the Opera House. She had a voice like a nightingale, and any who heard was immediately drawn back to memories that filled their hearts with aching desire.

The second princess was full of grace; she had hair like spun corn silk, the colour of fresh churned butter. She danced like an angel, her delicate frame swept as if on wings and all her saw her had their hearts lightened.

The third princess was squat and her hair hung in thick brown hanks. Her voice was nasal and she stumbled when she walked so had never attempted dance. She spent her days poring over ancient texts and took no interest in the Court.

The King and Queen feared that without a talent she would find no suitor among the fine noblemen of their land. But they kept their fears to themselves.

One day there came to the Palace a magician. So rare an event was this that the King and Queen prepared a Grande Ball in his honour.

Though magicians often contrived for themselves appearances extraordinary, this man was small and humble. He wore no cloth of gold and came with no servants, earthly or otherwise.

Before the Ball the magician addressed the crowd. In a voice barely above a whisper, he thanked the Queen and King for their hospitality and promised that they would be rewarded. "I know Madam,” he said “,that you harbour a secret fear. But after this evening I will ensure that your deepest worries will be relieved."

After dinner, the first princess took the stage in a gown made of the gossamer wings of dragonflies. Her voice rang out and as she sang her sister appeared clothed in a gown the colour and softness of goose down. Together, dancer and singer, they were a picture of refined loveliness.

Finally, as dawn seemed about to break, the magician spoke again.

All through the evening he had sat, staring in contemplation, at the youngest princess who had her nose in a heavy tome.

He rose to his feet. "I have seen many delights tonight and I would be happy to fulfill the royal wish." There was silence. "I will make your third daughter as lovely as a summer sky, with a voice as sweet as a trickling stream and grace such as only the Goddesses posses."

But the third princess stood up. She dusted off her gown and brushed the food crumbs from her bosom. Her voice was loud and clear. "I have little need for beauty or the gracious arts, nor the empty minded fellows such things attract." Then she returned to her place.

There was much disquiet, but the magician spoke again. "Then let me take you as my bride."

The princess did not even rise from her chair, she surveyed the magician and sighed mightily. "I would really rather just read my books." and with that she closed the massive tome, gathered her skirts about her and walked out of the ballroom, with neither a stumble, nor a backward glance.