Many Moons Ago

Many moons ago, in a far off place, lived a handsome prince with a gloomy face, for he did not have a bride. Oh, he sighed alas, and he pined alas, but alas the Prince couldn't find a lass who would suit his Mother's pride. For a Princess is a delicate thing, delicate and dainty as a dragonfly's wing. You can recognize a Lady by her elegant air, but a genuine Princess is exceedingly rare. On a stormy night through the castle door came the lass the Prince had been waiting for. "I'm a Princess lost" quoth she. But the Queen was cool and remained aloof and she said, "Perhaps, but we'll need some proof. I'll prepare a test and see. I will test her thus," the old Queen said, "I'll put 20 downy mattresses upon her bed, and beneath those 20 mattresses I'll place one tiny pea, if that pea disturbs her slumber, then a true Princess is she." Now the bed was soft and extremely tall, but the dainty lass didn't sleep at all and she told them so next day. Said the Queen, "My dear, if you felt that pea, then we've proof enough of your royalty. Let the wedding music play." And the people shouted quietly, "HOORAY!" For a Princess is a delicate thing, delicate and dainty as a dragonfly's wing. You can recognize a Lady by her elegant air, but a genuine Princess is exceedingly rare.