Fawn in the Wood
Once upon a time, there lived a King and Queen, who were very unhappy, because they had no children. But one day, when the Queen was walking out, she saw an immense crab, which said to her, “follow me, great Queen, and you shall have your wish.” The Queen was very much astonished at being thus addressed by the wonderful crab, and for a time hesitated as to what she should do. Her desire to have a child of her own, however, was so great, that it overcame her fears at last, and she determined to risk everything to gain her end. She therefore followed the crab through a secret path, until they reached a palace built of diamonds and pearls, in front of which stood six lovely fairies, who each presented her with a flower made of gems. There was a rose, a tulip, a lily, a pink, a camellia, and a dahlia.
“Madam,” said they, “you will soon have a daughter, whom you must call ‘Desired.’ As soon as she is born, summon us by repeating the name of each flower, and we will make her a miracle of grace and goodness.” The happy Queen returned home, and in due time, a little Princess was born. The fairies were sent for, and after kissing the infant, they endowed her with wit, beauty, virtue, and every good quality they could think of. The grateful Queen was just thanking them for their kindness, when there entered a crab, so large that it could scarcely get through the door. “Ah, wicked Queen,” it said, “you have forgotten the service I rendered you, in guiding you to my sisters; you have called them, and neglected me.” The Queen asked her pardon for the oversight, and her sister fairies joined their prayers to hers, but in vain. “I will not do all the harm I intended,” said the crab, “but I warn you, if the Princess sees the light of day before she is fifteen, it will, perhaps, cost her her life!” Her parents were much alarmed at this threat, and at length determined to build a palace, without windows, and there to keep her until she was past the fatal age. This was done, and the Princess grew in knowledge and beauty until she was within a few months of being fifteen, having never seen any light, except that from wax candles which burned night and day. As the time grew near for her release, her portrait was painted, and a copy sent to every court in the world. All who saw this picture admired it, and many high and mighty Princes asked the hand of the young Princess in marriage; but one of them fell so deeply in love with her as almost to lose his reason. His name was Warrior, and he was the son of a great King, whose court was not far from the country of the Princess Desired. Prince Warrior begged his father to send an ambassador to the Princess, and an eloquent nobleman, called Silvertongue, was selected.
