The Sleeping Beauty in the Wood
Once upon a time, there lived a powerful king and a kind queen who were deeply unhappy because they had no children. After many years of prayers and hopes, their wish was finally fulfilled, and the queen gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. The entire kingdom rejoiced, and the king ordered a grand celebration to welcome the princess.
To honor the occasion, the king invited all the fairies of the land to the princess’s christening. Each fairy was given a golden plate and a jeweled spoon, for it was believed that fairies would bestow gifts upon the child.
The Fairy Gifts
Seven good fairies arrived and one by one gave their blessings:
- One granted the princess great beauty
- Another gave her a gentle and kind heart
- One blessed her with grace
- Another with intelligence
- One with musical talent
- Another with perfect manners
- The last fairy promised her happiness
Everyone was filled with joy and hope for the child’s future.
The Terrible Curse
Suddenly, an old fairy appeared at the celebration. She had not been invited because the king believed she had disappeared long ago. Angry and insulted, the old fairy raised her wand and pronounced a terrible curse:
“The princess shall one day prick her finger on a spindle and die.”
The hall fell silent in fear. Before anyone could react, the youngest fairy, who had not yet given her gift, stepped forward. Though she could not remove the curse completely, she softened it:
“The princess shall not die, but fall into a deep sleep for one hundred years. At the end of that time, a king’s son shall awaken her.”
The King’s Command
Terrified for his daughter, the king immediately ordered that all spinning wheels and spindles in the kingdom be destroyed. He hoped to prevent the prophecy from ever coming true.
For many years, the princess grew up happy and unaware of the danger that awaited her.
The Curse Fulfilled
On her fifteenth (or sixteenth) birthday, while exploring the castle, the princess climbed a narrow staircase to a lonely tower. There she found an old woman spinning flax, unaware of the king’s command.
Curious, the princess asked to try spinning. The moment she touched the spindle, she pricked her finger—and instantly fell into a deep sleep.
The Enchanted Sleep
The good fairy arrived at once. To ensure the princess would not awaken alone in a silent palace, she cast a spell over the entire castle. The king, queen, servants, guards, animals, and even the fire in the hearth all fell asleep exactly as they were.
Thick brambles, thorns, and trees grew around the palace, hiding it deep within the forest. For one hundred years, the castle remained forgotten.
The Prince’s Journey
After a century had passed, a young prince heard stories of a beautiful princess sleeping in an enchanted castle. Many brave men had tried to reach it and failed, but the prince was determined.
As he approached, the thick thorns magically parted, allowing him to pass safely. Inside, he found the entire castle frozen in time.
The Awakening
In the highest tower, the prince found the princess lying asleep, as beautiful as the day she fell under the spell. The moment he knelt beside her and kissed her hand, the enchantment broke.
The princess awoke, and at that very instant, the entire castle came to life. The king and queen awoke, the servants resumed their duties, and joy filled the palace.
Happily Ever After
The prince and the princess soon married in a grand celebration. They ruled the kingdom wisely and kindly, and lived long and happily together.
Moral of the Story
- Fate cannot always be avoided, but kindness can soften it
- Patience and hope are powerful virtues
- True love and courage can overcome even the strongest magic
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