The Princess and the Dragon's Lairby Maxine |
|
"Tell me a story Grammie." the child begged her grandmother. The old woman bent down to tuck the child into bed. "Very well " she said. "Long ago in a land far away there lived a princess. This princess was very lonely and very unhappy. You see, she had a very controlling and domineering stepfather who told her what clothes to wear, what books to read, and who to be friends with. Because of her stepfather she did not have any friends or beaus, but she held on to the hope that one day her true love would come and take her away where she could be free. On a beautiful spring morning some girls from town stopped by the castle to see if she would go on a picnic with them. She knew her stepfather would forbid it, but she badly wanted to go. The girls pleaded with her to come with them. Maybe it was the lure of such a beautiful day or maybe it was the fact that she would be making friends that made her decide to go. The girls picnicked along a babbling brook where green moss cushioned the ground and the water flowed to a gentle melody. The princess helped unpack the food and they all sat down to a glorious feast. Afterwards they played games and told stories while basking in the sun. The princess had never had such a marvelous time. She did not want it to end, especially knowing she'd have to go home and face her stepfather's wrath. Upon entering the castle the princess was met face to face by her stepfather. He had seen the town girls walking with the princess and knew she had spent the day with them. He was enraged. His face was blood red and he was pacing back and forth. The princess was very frightened and implored him to be merciful in his punishment of her, but it was all in vain. The stepfather just looked at her and said she would be banished to the dragon's lair where she would surely meet her death. The princess got on her hands and knees to beg for forgiveness and leniency, but the stepfather sent her off with a wave of his hand. The princess cried all the way up the mountainside imagining the fate she would meet. She entered the dragon's lair to find the dragon sleeping peacefully. For hours she sat on a rock waiting for the dragon to awaken. She wanted to run away but she was if she moved she'd wake the dragon. Suddenly the dragon began to stir. The princess did not know what to do, so she began singing a song. The dragon sighed and continues to slumber. The princess sang and sang as the dragon slept. At the bottom of the mountain a knight was riding by on a white steed. Faintly he could hear the sound of a beautiful voice rhapsodizing a haunting melody. He alit from his horse and started going up the side of the mountain. As he got closer to the top the voice grew louder and stronger. It almost sounded as if it was beckoning him. Near the very top of the mountain was a cave. The knight went inside where he saw the princess. He was enraptured by her beauty. He spoke but one word and the dragon awoke. The knight, fearing for the safety of the princess withdrew his sword and slayed the dragon with one mighty swing. The princess knew at once that her true love had found and saved her. They left the cave, went down the mountainside, and lived happily ever after." The grandmother looked down at her sleeping granddaughter and bent down and kissed her nose. "And someday your true love will come for you, my sweet." |
| © 2004 Maxine |
| If you have any sort of concern or worry, please look at our Problem Page. or If you want more information on the answers to life - please look at the following pages |
|
| The Short Story Library Contents Page A collection of international short stories submitted by you, our readers. |
SOON Online Magazine homepage The international Ezine with a difference. Problem page, true stories, interviews, "life and how to survive it" section, religion, science, news, your language and country pages, and much more. |
| Other real stories of people who found true happiness. | VISITOR PAGE |