The Princess and the Ogre
by
Robert Betts
(Age: 64)
copyright 06-21-2003
Age Rating: 4 to 127
Picture Credits: Artist: Katharine Cameron 1910
Once upon a time in a far off land there lived a beautiful Princess. She was so beautiful that birds gathered each morning at her window to sing to her. Each morning she would awake, go to the window and listen to them. But the lovely Princess couldn’t see the birds for she was blind. The king had called all his sorcerers and magicians but alas, no one could cure the Princess of her blindness.
One night an old and ugly ogre was walking by her window when he heard crying. He came closer and saw the Princess. She was tossing restlessly and sobbing.
He called out to her softly, “Princess, Princess, why are you crying?”
Sleepily she arose and came to the window. “I don’t know,” she sighed. “I just wake up crying every night.” The ogre touched her hand tenderly, then she smiled. “Thank you for being concerned,” she whispered.
After that the ogre came by every night to talk to the Princess and comfort her when she cried. He always tenderly kissed the Princess's hand. She did not know how old and ugly he was, because of her blindness. After the ogre's kiss, she would return to her bed and sleep soundly.
One night the King happened by and saw the ogre with the Princess. He was furious and screamed, “Get out, out of the kingdom or I’ll have you killed.”
“I'm going, I’m going,” replied the ogre sadly.
“Now,” screamed the King !
The ogre then went to live in a hut deep in the forest. Sadly he gathered bats and lizards for his supper for he missed the Princess terribly. But he knew he was an old ogre and shouldn’t be talking to a Princess. It just wasn’t proper.
One day the Princess had her eighteenth birthday. The king gathered all the men in the land. Even the ogre was allowed to attend this special event. Tradition had it that the Princess would choose the one whose kiss she favored. All the men in the land walked up to her, one at a time, to kiss her hand.
After all the men had tried, she shook her head sadly and said, “Father, none of these have the special touch.
Just then the ogre spoke up and said, “Hi Princess.”
The King sneered at him and said, “Be still, ogre.”
“Father, that one, let him come up and kiss my hand,” whispered the blind Princess.
“No!” said the King, “Not an ogre.”
“But isn’t it the law of the land that when the Princess is eighteen she may choose?” replied the Princess.
“Well... Yes,” grumbled the King.
When the ogre tenderly kissed her hand, she smiled. “This is the one.”
The Princess and the ogre were married, much to the King’s amazement and consternation and went to live in the forest alone. The birds again came to her window to sing and at night, the Princess never cried again.
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you recommend or rate the work highly...
A sweet story that should be shared with all children. It's beautifully written, and I also love the moral.
Isn't it sad that sometimes the children who look so different from the other kids get made fun of, yet they are most often the sweetest of them all, because all they want is to be accepted?
Its late and I'm about to turn in. These are the first of your words that I have read... what a great way to end the day. Something positive and beautiful.
You are great writer Mr.Betts, i think you so good as Oscar Wilde (this my favorite writer). And this story it is beautiful, i didn`t know that one so classical fairy tale can be so unusual. And it did not reminds me about Shrek and Fiona at all (i do not know why).
[please read my first chapter of my first story and please tell me your opinion]
Mr.Bob, I was just dropping by, and I happened to notice that you have added a picture.
I think that a more appropriate picture would be of Shrek and Princess Fiona ( as a human, not an ogress).
Just a suggestion, you don't have to listen to it.
Oh,Mr.Betts! I just love fairy-tales! Especially ones with morals. I love princesses, I can't help myself. It makes me happy inside. Do you realize, Mr.Betts, that this is very similar to Shrek?
Nice story. I'm just getting around to reading more stories. I have a little more time to spend on them since I'm a slow reader and need some time to absorb the text. Nice work here.
Regards,
Gregory
Welcome !
