After the Beautiful Lady had tidied and cleaned her castle, and taken care of the dirty clothes and dishes, and made herself a nice cup of tea, she realised that with nothing urgent to do and nothing to procrastinate about, she was bored. Should she take up some embroidery? Should she take up an educational text and improve her mind? Should she help the needy? Should she knit clothes for the many babies she would no doubt one day have with her Knight In Shining Armour?
The Beautiful Lady decided against all of these options, and chose instead to go on a quest. She put on her prettiest warm dress, dark-blue leather boots and her cloak-for-adventures (which was dark-blue, also, and had never been used before). She told her Prime Minister she was going on a quest and to mind the country while she was gone, please. He asked, with her permission (he would never have asked without it), 'What sort of quest will this be, Mylady?' The Beautiful Lady said she did not know as yet, but that it was perfect quest weather (dark and grey and cold and windy), and that she had done everything else to abate her boredom, and just listen to me I am your boss after all. The Prime Minister, who had intended to ask about embroidery and the needy and baby clothes, saw The Beautiful Lady meant business and told her to have a nice trip and did she have enough money with her? The Beautiful Lady said she thought she did and left.
Although generally, The Beautiful Lady did not like walking if she did not have a clear goal in mind, her quest spurred her on to previously unknown heights, and she happily started walking. When she came to a crossing she took the road that looked most quest-like, and for every crossing afterwards she did the same. For several weeks, nothing very thrilling happened. Once, The Beautiful Lady was almost robbed of all her money, but she found she could kick harder than she (and her attackers) had anticipated, and got away unhurt.
When The Beautiful Lady was getting a bit fed up with her quest and started thinking about going home, she got to a lake. The lake was in the middle of a forest, a forest which started just outside The Beautiful Lady's castle and seemed, to her never-ending. The Lake In The Middle Of The Never-Ending-Seeming Forest was surrounded by a Lovely Green Meadow and some Not Quite Lovely But Not Bad Either Rocks. Although the forest had been quite nice-looking, and The Beautiful Lady had enjoyed most of her quest so far (except for the almost being robbed part and the time she had to hide in a smelly tree to escape a wild boar's notice), this lake was, as she saw it, the Most Beautiful Thing she had ever seen.
The Beautiful Lady decided her quest was over, and that she would live by the lake from now on. No more silly castle where all she could do was wait for the Knight In Shining Armour for her, oh no! She would live by the lake and fill her days with walks in the forest and live off the things she could find in it.
The Beautiful Lady wrote a letter to her Prime Minister telling him she was going to live by the lake from now on and to only disturb her if there was really no one else who could do what they wanted, and to leave her alone for the rest of it if he wanted to keep his job. The Prime Minister wrote a letter back that with her permission, he would like to keep his job and was there anything she needed? But The Beautiful Lady ignored the letter because she was busy building a hut. When her hut was done, she felt hungry, and she went out to get some food. So she lived quite peacefully for several years, until one day, when she felt like having a good long walk. She packed some food and set out to see where the forest would take her.
After a few weeks, The Beautiful Lady had had enough of sleeping on the mossy ground and decided to go back to her Hut By The Lake. She had enjoyed her time in the forest, where there were only plants and animals, and no Prime Ministers or Knights In Shining Armour to worry about. Cheerfully, The Beautiful Lady started her trek back to her Hut By The Lake.
When she got to The Lake In The Middle Of The Forest, however, The Beautiful Lady saw something that made her very sad. The first time she had seen the lake, it had been a beautiful, undisturbed, and tranquil place. Now, with The Beautiful Lady's hut and her footsteps on the shore, as well as other obvious signs of The Beautiful Lady's presence, the Lake In The Middle Of The Never-Ending-Seeming Forest was Just Another Lake. The Beautiful Lady realised her quest had finally come to an end. She tried as best as she could to erase the marks she had left on the forest, and went back to her castle.
When The Beautiful Lady got back to her castle, it looked so comfortable and familiar that she almost burst out crying. As she got to the front door, her Prime Minister came to greet her. 'Welcome Home, Mylady, we have missed you very much.' The Beautiful Lady thanked him for his kindness and told him to get her a bath ready, and be quick about it because I need to wash several years of forest life out of my hair.
When The Beautiful Lady was all clean and dressed in one of the dresses her Prime Minister had gotten ready for her return, she asked him how everything had gone in her absence, and found that her Prime Minister had done a great job ruling her country. He was so good, in fact, that The Beautiful Lady saw no way but to marry him so that they could continue to reign together.
And they lived happily ever after, without knitting or embroidery, but they did help the needy and read many many books together.
Showing posts with label Stories. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Stories. Show all posts
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Saturday, January 06, 2007
The Little Frog
Once upon a time there was a little frog. The little frog liked his life. He had enough flies to fill his belly, and enough water to drink and swim around in when he felt like it. He lived on a lily pad in the pond, which was a nice pond because there were no herons.
The little frog didn't have a single worry in his life until the girl showed up. She had a ball made of gold that she played with, and this seemed to be all she ever did. The little frog payed no attention to her at first, because he was happy with his flies and his water. But the girl grew bigger and bolder, and she started to play nearer the pond.
Over the years, as the girl grew up, she was always in the frog's life, bugging him. He liked the girl but he didn't like the feeling of discontent she gave him. Before, his life in the pond had been perfect, but now the girl, almost a woman, took up all his thoughts. He grew unhappy with the pond and its simple pleasures, and wished to be with the girl always.
One day, the frog almost got what he wished for. The girl, who still carried her ball made of gold everywhere, accidentally dropped it and it rolled into the pond. The pond was quite deep, and the girl couldn't swim. The frog watched her cry, and when he could see she had calmed down a bit, he swam down into the pond, swam up to the surface with the ball and rolled it into the girl's lap. The girl was happy again and danced off, not paying any attention to the little frog.
But he followed her with big leaps, all the way to where she lived. And when everyone was at dinner, the frog hopped onto the table next to the girl's plate. She liked the little animal, and decided to make him her little pet. After dinner, the girl took the little frog to her bedroom and made him a nice home on her bedside table.
When the girl had fallen asleep, the little frog looked at her, thinking her more beautiful and lovely the more he looked at her. He hopped onto the pillow and gave the girl a little kiss on her forehead. She, still asleep, slapped at the frog a bit too hard, and he fell on the floor.
The little frog died straightaway, and the girl, who cried when she found him in the morning, soon forgot she had ever had a little frog for a pet.
The little frog didn't have a single worry in his life until the girl showed up. She had a ball made of gold that she played with, and this seemed to be all she ever did. The little frog payed no attention to her at first, because he was happy with his flies and his water. But the girl grew bigger and bolder, and she started to play nearer the pond.
Over the years, as the girl grew up, she was always in the frog's life, bugging him. He liked the girl but he didn't like the feeling of discontent she gave him. Before, his life in the pond had been perfect, but now the girl, almost a woman, took up all his thoughts. He grew unhappy with the pond and its simple pleasures, and wished to be with the girl always.
One day, the frog almost got what he wished for. The girl, who still carried her ball made of gold everywhere, accidentally dropped it and it rolled into the pond. The pond was quite deep, and the girl couldn't swim. The frog watched her cry, and when he could see she had calmed down a bit, he swam down into the pond, swam up to the surface with the ball and rolled it into the girl's lap. The girl was happy again and danced off, not paying any attention to the little frog.
But he followed her with big leaps, all the way to where she lived. And when everyone was at dinner, the frog hopped onto the table next to the girl's plate. She liked the little animal, and decided to make him her little pet. After dinner, the girl took the little frog to her bedroom and made him a nice home on her bedside table.
When the girl had fallen asleep, the little frog looked at her, thinking her more beautiful and lovely the more he looked at her. He hopped onto the pillow and gave the girl a little kiss on her forehead. She, still asleep, slapped at the frog a bit too hard, and he fell on the floor.
The little frog died straightaway, and the girl, who cried when she found him in the morning, soon forgot she had ever had a little frog for a pet.
Thursday, December 07, 2006
A Life In The Day
When the old man woke up he knew it was going to happen today. He had prepared for this, but found that when it came to the reality of it, it was surprisingly easy to accept. He got up. It was 5 o'clock in the morning, but he wanted to make the most of this particular day. He showered, got dressed and went out.
He walked through the dark city until he reached the park, where he sat down on a bench just as the sun started to come up over the lake. He stayed there, watching the sunrise, taking in every colour, scent and sound. When he felt the sun warming his face, he decided it was time to get up and get some breakfast. He lingered a few more moments, enjoying the warmth of the sun, got up and walked out of the park, into the barely wakened city.
The old man walked into a cafe and ordered his breakfast. He sat down next to the window and looked at the city he had in which he had spent so many wonderful days, and thought back to all the different places he had lived in during his life. When the waiter brought him his coffee and scrambled eggs on toast, the old man woke up from his reminiscence and concentrated on his first meal of the day. He could remember his mother now, so clearly, yet so long ago, telling him that breakfast was the most important meal of the day, food for the brain, my pet.
The old man spent the rest of the morning wandering around the city. He looked at his favourite buildings, visited his best-loved landmarks, and petted every dog he met on the way.
Around lunchtime the old man walked past a school where a group of children were playing football. The ball, kicked by a professional footballer disguised for the day as a 10-year-old boy, flew over the fence and landed in front of the old man's feet. Unable to resist, the old man joined the boys in their game. After making sure his side won the game, the old man went on his way, memories walking through his mind and greeting him like long-lost and much-loved friends.
All of a sudden, the familiar jingle of an ice-cream van woke the old man and he decided to have a large cone with all the toppings for his lunch.
After he had finished his lunch sitting on a bench next to the canal, the old man decided he was tired of walking. He got into a tram and spent a few hours happily going round the city, choosing to get out when he noticed a cinema that played the film he saw with his wife on their first date. The film brought up wonderful memories of the fifty-two years he had been married to her, and brought tears to his eyes when he thought of how much he had missed his wife in the last ten years. He had enjoyed every day with her, and although he still enjoyed life after she was gone, he had always felt her absence.
After the film, the old man felt tired. He had had a very good day, but now he was hungry and tired. He took the tram to his favourite restaurant, and chose the dishes he knew he loved. There were many dishes, and the old man had only a few bites from each plate, but enjoyed each bite thoroughly.
After dinner, happy and satisfied, the old man slowly walked home, and reached his front door as it started to rain. He looked up and a drop of rain hit him right on the tip of his nose. He smiled and took of his jacket, and, after a small pause, his shoes and socks. He rolled up his trouser legs and walked into the street. Then, as the rain poured down on his body, the old man slowly started dancing. He danced faster and faster until he fell down. As he was sat in the middle of a big puddle, the old man laughed until his stomach hurt. Then he stood up and walked into his house.
Alone in the house, he had a shower and put on his most comfortable pyjamas. He brushed his teeth, got into bed and looked at the picture of his wife that stood on the nightstand. The old man took it up, kissed the glass and put the picture on the pillow next to his. When he felt himself falling asleep, the old man thought over what had been the last day of his life. And as he closed his eyes for the final time, the old man smiled, thinking of what a good life it had been.
He walked through the dark city until he reached the park, where he sat down on a bench just as the sun started to come up over the lake. He stayed there, watching the sunrise, taking in every colour, scent and sound. When he felt the sun warming his face, he decided it was time to get up and get some breakfast. He lingered a few more moments, enjoying the warmth of the sun, got up and walked out of the park, into the barely wakened city.
The old man walked into a cafe and ordered his breakfast. He sat down next to the window and looked at the city he had in which he had spent so many wonderful days, and thought back to all the different places he had lived in during his life. When the waiter brought him his coffee and scrambled eggs on toast, the old man woke up from his reminiscence and concentrated on his first meal of the day. He could remember his mother now, so clearly, yet so long ago, telling him that breakfast was the most important meal of the day, food for the brain, my pet.
The old man spent the rest of the morning wandering around the city. He looked at his favourite buildings, visited his best-loved landmarks, and petted every dog he met on the way.
Around lunchtime the old man walked past a school where a group of children were playing football. The ball, kicked by a professional footballer disguised for the day as a 10-year-old boy, flew over the fence and landed in front of the old man's feet. Unable to resist, the old man joined the boys in their game. After making sure his side won the game, the old man went on his way, memories walking through his mind and greeting him like long-lost and much-loved friends.
All of a sudden, the familiar jingle of an ice-cream van woke the old man and he decided to have a large cone with all the toppings for his lunch.
After he had finished his lunch sitting on a bench next to the canal, the old man decided he was tired of walking. He got into a tram and spent a few hours happily going round the city, choosing to get out when he noticed a cinema that played the film he saw with his wife on their first date. The film brought up wonderful memories of the fifty-two years he had been married to her, and brought tears to his eyes when he thought of how much he had missed his wife in the last ten years. He had enjoyed every day with her, and although he still enjoyed life after she was gone, he had always felt her absence.
After the film, the old man felt tired. He had had a very good day, but now he was hungry and tired. He took the tram to his favourite restaurant, and chose the dishes he knew he loved. There were many dishes, and the old man had only a few bites from each plate, but enjoyed each bite thoroughly.
After dinner, happy and satisfied, the old man slowly walked home, and reached his front door as it started to rain. He looked up and a drop of rain hit him right on the tip of his nose. He smiled and took of his jacket, and, after a small pause, his shoes and socks. He rolled up his trouser legs and walked into the street. Then, as the rain poured down on his body, the old man slowly started dancing. He danced faster and faster until he fell down. As he was sat in the middle of a big puddle, the old man laughed until his stomach hurt. Then he stood up and walked into his house.
Alone in the house, he had a shower and put on his most comfortable pyjamas. He brushed his teeth, got into bed and looked at the picture of his wife that stood on the nightstand. The old man took it up, kissed the glass and put the picture on the pillow next to his. When he felt himself falling asleep, the old man thought over what had been the last day of his life. And as he closed his eyes for the final time, the old man smiled, thinking of what a good life it had been.
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
A Fairy Tale Of Sorts
The prince had travelled for a very long time. He was tired from walking for over a year without company. His horse had been stolen many months ago while he was asleep in a forest, and with the horse he had also lost his change of clothing, most of his food and money, and the greater part of his cheerful disposition. To be quite honest, the prince was now, so near to his goal, more a grumpy, dirty and unshaven man than the handsome, cheerful and clean prince he used to be. He had endured many hardships on his journey and every single wrong turn and night's sleep on the bare soil without dinner had taken something out of him.
His tired eyes looked up at the turret of the castle which he could just about make out through the vast rose bushes covering the palace. He sighed a big sigh, pulled up his trousers (he had long ago sold his belt for food and with all the weight he'd lost the trousers barely fit) and took his dagger out of his right boot. Realising he couldn't hold up his trousers and cut at the rose bushes at the same time, he knotted his trousers as tightly around his waist as he could and walked around the rose bushes, trying to find the part of the wall of roses that was closest to where he guessed the gates of the palace were.
As he started cutting the rose bushes, an old woman walked up, sat down on the ground and started humming. After a few minutes, in which the prince had cut halfway through a branch and had managed to get his arms covered in cuts and blood, the old woman spoke to him. 'Young man,' she said, 'what do you think you are doing?'
The prince, glad to have an excuse to stop torturing himself for the sake of a woman he had never seen, sat down next to the old lady and told her all about the prophecy at his birth and how he had set out on his twenty-first birthday to find the woman he was destined to marry. He told her about the way the rosebushes were supposed to magically open for him to form a path to his beloved, how the castle's inhabitants would be frozen into whatever they were doing when time froze, and how his beloved, having been asleep for a hundred years, would be awakened by the kiss of her true love. He also told her about his journey, and as he had had no one to talk to for a long time and was feeling quite sorry for himself, when he was done talking, he burst out crying.
The old woman said nothing, but embraced the young prince and let him cry until he felt a bit more like himself again. He apologised to the lady and was about to start cutting again, when the old lady stopped him and asked: 'Why don't you come to my house and have a bath and some food before you wake up the princess?' The prince, who was really very tired and hungry, didn't need much convincing and he went with the old lady to her house, which was on the other side of the castle, just outside the rose wall.
The old lady drew the prince a bath and gave him some new, clean clothes. As he was bathing she prepared him a nice dinner, and the prince accidentally cut himself shaving when he smelled the exquisite aromas. When the prince came into the kitchen after his bath and shave, he was almost unrecognisable. After he had his dinner and had sat by the fire for a little while, the prince started to feel like he was his old self again. With his clean clothes, full stomach and content smile he looked and felt much more like a prince than he had when he had first gotten to the palace.
After he'd had a short nap in the easy chair in front of the fire, he told the old woman he was going back to the rose bush. The old woman wished him good luck, but asked; 'could you please do me one favour before you go? I need some more fire wood, but I am too weak to lift the axe.' The prince, who was raised to be kind to older people and pay back kindness, but was also just a nice guy, had no problems doing this for the old woman and he went into her back garden.
As he was chopping the wood for the old woman, he looked up mid-chop and saw the most beautiful woman walking towards him. She came from the forest behind the castle and was carrying a basket filled with food. The woman smiled at the prince and as she came closer, he saw she was the same age as he was, and also that she was obviously related to the old lady. When she was right in front of him she greeted him and asked: ' Where is my great-grandmother?' The prince, almost unable to talk, forgot all about his destiny and the princess sleeping in the turret, and walked into the house with her. All evening the old woman watched the young woman and the prince talking and falling more in love with each word they spoke and each look they exchanged.
On their wedding day, the old lady thought back to the day, long ago, when she had fled her father's palace to be with the man she loved. She smiled as she realised that the prince's destiny had finally been fulfilled.
His tired eyes looked up at the turret of the castle which he could just about make out through the vast rose bushes covering the palace. He sighed a big sigh, pulled up his trousers (he had long ago sold his belt for food and with all the weight he'd lost the trousers barely fit) and took his dagger out of his right boot. Realising he couldn't hold up his trousers and cut at the rose bushes at the same time, he knotted his trousers as tightly around his waist as he could and walked around the rose bushes, trying to find the part of the wall of roses that was closest to where he guessed the gates of the palace were.
As he started cutting the rose bushes, an old woman walked up, sat down on the ground and started humming. After a few minutes, in which the prince had cut halfway through a branch and had managed to get his arms covered in cuts and blood, the old woman spoke to him. 'Young man,' she said, 'what do you think you are doing?'
The prince, glad to have an excuse to stop torturing himself for the sake of a woman he had never seen, sat down next to the old lady and told her all about the prophecy at his birth and how he had set out on his twenty-first birthday to find the woman he was destined to marry. He told her about the way the rosebushes were supposed to magically open for him to form a path to his beloved, how the castle's inhabitants would be frozen into whatever they were doing when time froze, and how his beloved, having been asleep for a hundred years, would be awakened by the kiss of her true love. He also told her about his journey, and as he had had no one to talk to for a long time and was feeling quite sorry for himself, when he was done talking, he burst out crying.
The old woman said nothing, but embraced the young prince and let him cry until he felt a bit more like himself again. He apologised to the lady and was about to start cutting again, when the old lady stopped him and asked: 'Why don't you come to my house and have a bath and some food before you wake up the princess?' The prince, who was really very tired and hungry, didn't need much convincing and he went with the old lady to her house, which was on the other side of the castle, just outside the rose wall.
The old lady drew the prince a bath and gave him some new, clean clothes. As he was bathing she prepared him a nice dinner, and the prince accidentally cut himself shaving when he smelled the exquisite aromas. When the prince came into the kitchen after his bath and shave, he was almost unrecognisable. After he had his dinner and had sat by the fire for a little while, the prince started to feel like he was his old self again. With his clean clothes, full stomach and content smile he looked and felt much more like a prince than he had when he had first gotten to the palace.
After he'd had a short nap in the easy chair in front of the fire, he told the old woman he was going back to the rose bush. The old woman wished him good luck, but asked; 'could you please do me one favour before you go? I need some more fire wood, but I am too weak to lift the axe.' The prince, who was raised to be kind to older people and pay back kindness, but was also just a nice guy, had no problems doing this for the old woman and he went into her back garden.
As he was chopping the wood for the old woman, he looked up mid-chop and saw the most beautiful woman walking towards him. She came from the forest behind the castle and was carrying a basket filled with food. The woman smiled at the prince and as she came closer, he saw she was the same age as he was, and also that she was obviously related to the old lady. When she was right in front of him she greeted him and asked: ' Where is my great-grandmother?' The prince, almost unable to talk, forgot all about his destiny and the princess sleeping in the turret, and walked into the house with her. All evening the old woman watched the young woman and the prince talking and falling more in love with each word they spoke and each look they exchanged.
On their wedding day, the old lady thought back to the day, long ago, when she had fled her father's palace to be with the man she loved. She smiled as she realised that the prince's destiny had finally been fulfilled.
Monday, October 30, 2006
Denial Is A River In Egypt
One morning, the Pretty Girl woke up feeling full of happiness and laughter. She jumped out of bed, put on her prettiest dress and nicest shoes, and decided to ignore the piles of work that made it hard for her to see the floor of her Dowdy Little Hut. The Pretty Girl opened the door of her Dowdy Little Hut and looked at the world outside. She saw a big green meadow filled with fragrant and colourful flowers, basking in the warmth of the sun. Among the flowers and grass rabbits and squirrels were hopping about, and the Pretty Girl could not contain herself. She jumped out of her Dowdy Little Hut, and found as soon as she left it, the Dowdy Little Hut disappeared. All she could see was the meadow, warm and sunny, all around her. She heard the faint noises of a magical tune seducing her unto dance and song, and she kicked of her shoes to follow it.
As the squirrels and rabbits played amongst the flowers, the Pretty Girl danced and sang through the meadow until all the sorrows of the Mundane World and the Dowdy Little Hut were distant memories, like the vague remembrance of something that has once happened to a best friend's aunt.
As the squirrels and rabbits played amongst the flowers, the Pretty Girl danced and sang through the meadow until all the sorrows of the Mundane World and the Dowdy Little Hut were distant memories, like the vague remembrance of something that has once happened to a best friend's aunt.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
The Brave Maiden And The Photocopier
Once upon a time not too long ago, in a place quite close by, a beautiful Brave Maiden went on a quest. She needed to pick up and photocopy an article for her Theory of Children's Literature class, so at nine o'clock in the morning, after a hearty breakfast, she set out on her journey. For a while everything was going very well and the Maiden was happy with her day. Then she got to the Kingdom of Literature and had to fight her way through thornbushes and brambles to get to the Fount of Knowledge. When she finally got there, she signed the sign-out paper and fought her way through the brambles once again to get to the Place of Duplication. When she got there, without proper knowledge of the proper procedure for approaching the Amazing Duplicator, she sought one of that gate keepers who was not very friendly to her and made her feel more lost than ever before.
But the Maiden did not despair or cry like other, less brave, maidens may have done; instead, she sought out a nicer-looking gate keeper. The Friendly Gate-Keeper looked at her, listened to her quest and said: 'Dear Brave Maiden, your quest will be difficult and perilous. Before you can go to the Amazing Duplicator, you will have to Pay Me to receive the Key of All Goodness. Once you have the Key of All Goodness, you must find the Door of All Goodness and open it with the Key, The door will then lead you to the Amazing Duplicator, but make sure you choose the right one because there are few Duplicators who will let you make double-sided Duplications. Choose well and you will be rewarded. Choose badly and you will be punished.' The Maiden paid the Friendly Gate-Keeper, received her key and went up the Mount of Knowledge, to find the Door of All Goodness. She gave him her Key, and he spoke: 'Brave Maiden, to achieve the goal of your quest you will have to go down the Mount of Knowledge, past the Friendly Gate-Keeper, and into the Area of Short-Lived Joy. When you get there, the Amazing Duplicator will help you.'
The Brave Maiden thanked the Door of All Goodness, but although she thought he had been helpful, he had not told her that the Amazing Duplicator and the Door of All Goodness were sworn enemies. So when the Brave Maiden came to the Amazing Duplicator, he rejected her fiercely: 'Go away you puny little girl!!! I will not obey that damn Door of All Rubbishness!!!' (The Amazing Duplicator, although good at Duplicating, wasn't very good at insults.)
The Brave Maiden almost thought her quest was thwarted by the Amazing Duplicator's unwillingness to help her, but then she remembered the Friendly Gate-Keeper. She went back to her friend and asked for help. The Friendly Gate-Keeper told her how to deal with the Amazing Duplicator and how he liked to be payed rather than form alliances with the Doors of Goodness. She then sounded her horn and in rode a Handsome Knight on his White Horse.
The Handsome Knight told the Maiden he could help her with the Amazing Duplicator because of his Magical Skills.
When they got to the Amazing Duplicator, the Brave Maiden inserted her coins into the slot and watched the Handsome Knight as he used his Magic to make the Duplicator do exactly what she wanted it to do. The Brave Maiden paid a lot of attention to the Handsome Knight's Magic. As the Handsome Knight rode away, the Brave Maiden realised he had not actually made the Duplicator do exactly what she wanted, so she imitated the Handsome Knight's Magic and found she could master the Amazing Duplicator quite well.
Of course, the Brave Maiden was punished for her smugness, when the Duplicator refused to Duplicate her last page. One of the Grumpy Gate-Keepers sounded her horn and out came the Old Wizard who made the Duplicator work again, although the Brave Maiden did have to Pay More Money to the Amazing Duplicator to get her last page.
After she had all her pages gathered together, the Brave Maiden brought back the original article to the Kingdom of Literature, in which she knew her way quite well now, and began her long journey home.
Dear Brave Maidens,
We can learn from this tale not to rely on Handsome Knights on White Horses. They may promise Beauty and Happiness, but do not be foiled by their charms! Be brave, observe the world around you and do not despair, and you will find happiness! Do not reject Handsome Knights altogether, but be careful not to become dependent on them.
But the Maiden did not despair or cry like other, less brave, maidens may have done; instead, she sought out a nicer-looking gate keeper. The Friendly Gate-Keeper looked at her, listened to her quest and said: 'Dear Brave Maiden, your quest will be difficult and perilous. Before you can go to the Amazing Duplicator, you will have to Pay Me to receive the Key of All Goodness. Once you have the Key of All Goodness, you must find the Door of All Goodness and open it with the Key, The door will then lead you to the Amazing Duplicator, but make sure you choose the right one because there are few Duplicators who will let you make double-sided Duplications. Choose well and you will be rewarded. Choose badly and you will be punished.' The Maiden paid the Friendly Gate-Keeper, received her key and went up the Mount of Knowledge, to find the Door of All Goodness. She gave him her Key, and he spoke: 'Brave Maiden, to achieve the goal of your quest you will have to go down the Mount of Knowledge, past the Friendly Gate-Keeper, and into the Area of Short-Lived Joy. When you get there, the Amazing Duplicator will help you.'
The Brave Maiden thanked the Door of All Goodness, but although she thought he had been helpful, he had not told her that the Amazing Duplicator and the Door of All Goodness were sworn enemies. So when the Brave Maiden came to the Amazing Duplicator, he rejected her fiercely: 'Go away you puny little girl!!! I will not obey that damn Door of All Rubbishness!!!' (The Amazing Duplicator, although good at Duplicating, wasn't very good at insults.)
The Brave Maiden almost thought her quest was thwarted by the Amazing Duplicator's unwillingness to help her, but then she remembered the Friendly Gate-Keeper. She went back to her friend and asked for help. The Friendly Gate-Keeper told her how to deal with the Amazing Duplicator and how he liked to be payed rather than form alliances with the Doors of Goodness. She then sounded her horn and in rode a Handsome Knight on his White Horse.
The Handsome Knight told the Maiden he could help her with the Amazing Duplicator because of his Magical Skills.
When they got to the Amazing Duplicator, the Brave Maiden inserted her coins into the slot and watched the Handsome Knight as he used his Magic to make the Duplicator do exactly what she wanted it to do. The Brave Maiden paid a lot of attention to the Handsome Knight's Magic. As the Handsome Knight rode away, the Brave Maiden realised he had not actually made the Duplicator do exactly what she wanted, so she imitated the Handsome Knight's Magic and found she could master the Amazing Duplicator quite well.
Of course, the Brave Maiden was punished for her smugness, when the Duplicator refused to Duplicate her last page. One of the Grumpy Gate-Keepers sounded her horn and out came the Old Wizard who made the Duplicator work again, although the Brave Maiden did have to Pay More Money to the Amazing Duplicator to get her last page.
After she had all her pages gathered together, the Brave Maiden brought back the original article to the Kingdom of Literature, in which she knew her way quite well now, and began her long journey home.
Dear Brave Maidens,
We can learn from this tale not to rely on Handsome Knights on White Horses. They may promise Beauty and Happiness, but do not be foiled by their charms! Be brave, observe the world around you and do not despair, and you will find happiness! Do not reject Handsome Knights altogether, but be careful not to become dependent on them.
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