The bad mood of Princess Marion Burton
Once upon a time, in a delicious little kingdom of all gardens, rivers, huts, and flowers, there lived a red-faced, merry king named Rodolfo. Every one of his subjects loved him, the kings around him were his loyal friends, and the neighboring kingdoms were on good terms with him. Indeed, they had a happy way, those old kings, of exchanging thrones for a week now and then, just as some preachers exchange these days—to prove, I suppose, how good their thrones are, after all. This king I’m telling you about was brave, of course, and he looked like our good friend Santa Claus.
However, strange as it may seem, with all these blessings – a rich kingdom, faithful subjects, a loving wife – this good king was not happy. There was one cloud, a very beautiful cloud with a silver edge, but it was nonetheless a cloud that hung just in front of the sun of His Excellency and cast a great shadow.
The king had a daughter, Princess Madge, his only child. And although she was obedient in everything else, she did not marry and was not going to marry. Now the king was very anxious for her to marry and settle on the throne, for he had grown old. Every morning for three weeks, just before breakfast, he would have three separate pricks of pain. The Queen said it was because of rheumatism, but he knew better. He was sure that she was getting old, which made him very anxious that the kingdom should be in the hands of the new king’s son-in-law before his death.
Of course there were plenty of princes, dukes, barons, and lords who would gladly marry the beautiful princess for her beautiful sake alone, not to mention the possibility of her becoming king one day, but she wouldn’t have one of them. There was no man in the kingdom, nor in any of the neighboring kingdoms, who suited her fickle whims. Arrogant princes, polite princes, handsome princes, ugly princes, tall princes, shorter princes, stout princes, skinny princes were introduced to the court, encouraged by the king and queen, and sought for favour. She had been showered with gifts of rare flowers and precious stones, and had received thousands of little letters with the scent of perfume; But from the prince, from the jewels, and from written vows of love, she turned away with the same cheerful determination.
A princess is a lonely little body, you know, and the custom was so strict in Princess Madge’s time that she had no one to talk to except the royal kitten. She had no brother, no sister, no cousin, and no dear friend. She didn’t even have a chance to speak freely with her father and mother. It is true that she had breakfast with them every morning at eleven in the great breakfast-room,
but the servants and waiters and pages and fellows were always standing, their ears pierced and their eyes bulged out, that no one dared to whisper a secret or even have the most wonderful little family quarrel. True, she was her own—her mother came at exactly ten o’clock to kiss her good night every evening, but there were always a dozen maids and ladies-in-waiting, and it was impossible to make a real good talk. But Willow’s pussy was her constant companion, and the kitten told everything. That friendly cat was the only living thing in the entire kingdom who really knew that the princess intended to get married sometime. This was what worried the king and queen so much. Madge made them believe that she would never marry anyone, ever, ever, but would live alone until the end of her days and leave the kingdom to anyone who wished for it.
“Pussy, I wouldn’t tell a story to the King and Queen for the world, but wouldn’t it be fun to see them deal with it? If I really thought my father was sick and likely to die, I’d be good as gold; but these little afflictions of his are nothing but rheumatism, I’m sure, So I don’t mind teasing him a little bit. You know. Oh, my God, when my ideal comes up– Oh, you need not look up and blink at such a surprise, ’cause I’ve got a really perfect idea, and I’m going to tell you all about it.” And then she shook her pussy until it rang Her golden bell necklace squeaked loudly, then she yawned slightly and started to wash her face. She looked so wise as she was sitting there clutching at her whiskers and pounding deeply on the ground with her squiggly tail. After thinking earnestly like this for a few minutes, she suddenly began a sympathetic little song that seemed to say:
“Come on, my young lady, I am all set to listen, and I will not tell any spirit.” Then Princess Madge continued:
“I care not whether he is prince or poor, high or low, handsome or common; but he must be content anyway. You know what contented means, pussy—satisfied with what he has till he deserves and can get something better. If he is He will always be unselfish and happy. Oh, yes, and I will be happy too. Now I will write a letter to my father and tell him that I will marry if he finds me a contented man.
And as quickly as he thought, the princess opened her desk of pink and gold wood, and pulled out some papers with her coat of arms and a jeweled pen, and wrote gently and carefully. It took her a very long time. Willow Pussy thought
“Now, Kitty, listen; I will read it to you:
“Dear old Baba: I have finally decided to marry if I can find a man to suit me. Read now, dear father, and remember that this decision is final. I will marry the first contented man I find, no matter who he is. Read this little poem; it is my guiding star.” At this very dangerous time:
“There is a gem that no Indian astrologer can buy.
Chemical art can’t fake it.
makes men rich in extreme poverty,
He makes water wine, and turns wooden goblets into gold.
Rarely comes, few sent by heaven,
This little bit, all for nothing – the content. ”
“What I wrote, I wrote.
” by yourself
Madge.
“That looks very good, doesn’t it, Pussy? I’ll fold it up, and so, and then cut off a lock of my hair–Look, Pussy, it’s about a yard long, and you’ll turn and round that letter and tie it in a great golden knot. When the King sees it he’ll know It’s very important. Now I’ll go to the door and tell the page to run with this to dad, and then – oh, I wonder what he’ll say to me. ”
She ran to the door, spoke a few words to the page who was standing outside, and then returned to the large cushioned chair by the window. The kitten jumped into her lap. They both blinked a few times, blinked a few times, and then fell asleep quickly.
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| “Her mother came at exactly ten o’clock to kiss her good night’s sleep.” |
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3