“I heard a story from my grandfather when I was a boy, that there was a princess in that castle who was asleep. The story said that she was put to sleep by a fairy, and that the fairy said that she was to sleep for a hundred years, and was to be awakened by a young prince who would break through all barriers and awaken her by a kiss.”
When the young prince heard this story he felt that he was the one to awaken the young princess. It was a beautiful day in early spring, but the snow was still on the ground. The prince said to those around him:
“I am he of whom the fairy spoke. I shall break through all barriers and awaken the princess.”
He drew his sword and started toward the tangle of thorns. As he began to cut his way the thorns fell aside easily and a path appeared before his feet. He followed the path into the castle gate. The woods closed behind him and left him alone.
At the castle gates he saw the porter asleep. As he went on he saw horses and dogs and grooms all asleep. He entered the kitchen and saw all the cooks and maids asleep. Then he went into the hall and found all the courtiers fast asleep. The king and queen were also asleep. On the couch he saw the beautiful princess as rosy and fresh as she was a hundred years ago, but deep in slumber.
The prince walked up to the couch and kissed her. Then she woke up and smiled. The king and queen rubbed their eyes, the courtiers leaped up from their chairs; the cooks and servants began to move about; the horses neighed and the dogs barked. Outside the thorns vanished and the roses bloomed in their stead. All was life and motion where before all had been so silent.
“Have you come at last?” said the princess. And then they all left the castle, and as they looked behind, it vanished and there was nothing left but the beautiful woods.
THE LIGHTHOUSE KEEPER’S GRANDDAUGHTER
Showing how one should act in an emergency demanding thought and nerve.