Princess Anna

Many years ago, in the kingdom of Heaves, there was a fabulous king called King Kingsley. He was married to the beautiful Queen Angela, and together they had a lovely daughter named Princess Anna.

Anna was attractive, just like her mother, and everyone admired her. Anna’s parents taught her to treat everyone respectfully, even though she was a princess.

One Saturday morning, her father walked into her room and saw it was untidy. “My princess, why is your room so scattered?” he asked.

“Well, Daddy, that’s because Susan hasn’t cleaned it yet.” Susan was the maid assigned to clean the princess’s room.

“No,” the king exclaimed. “It is not suitable for you to keep your room dirty. It’s okay for Aunty Susan to help you clean up, but maintaining your room is your responsibility. Remember, darling, there’s dignity in labour.”

“What does that mean, Dad?”

“Well, it means working hard makes you proud of yourself and makes others, like your mum and Aunty Susan, proud of you and me.”

“I’m sorry, Dad. I will make sure I keep my room neat, whether Aunty Susan comes or not.” The father and daughter hugged, and the king went on his way.

On Anna’s 13th birthday, there was a party organized for her.

At midnight that same night, news reached the palace that the neighbouring kingdom planned to attack Kingdom Honolulu. This news led to preparations to protect lives and property in Honolulu, but it was too late.

The next day, t
he warriors of Kingdom Doom fought their way into the palace and captured the king and queen. Just then, Mirabel, the elderly chief maid, ran into Princess Anna’s room, made her pack a few things, and carried her through the back of the palace.

At Mirabel’s little cottage, she explained the situation to the princess as best as she could. Princess Anna was so hurt that she cried for several nights and days and refused to eat. Mirabel feared that the little princess would starve to death. Mirabel was also a mother of three kids: Ben, who was 18, Rose, who was 13, and little Daniella. A week after the incident, Ben overheard his sister gossiping about the princess.

Rose said to her little sister, “While Mum brings the princess into our house, I hope she doesn’t expect us to make her bed or wash the dishes after her.”

“But she’s been doing her chores and treating us nicely since she arrived. Maybe it’s because she’s afraid Mummy will send her out.”

“I am sure she will misbehave soon enough.”

“Why are you so jealous?” Ben’s voice came from the kitchen window. “Daniella is correct. The princess has done us no harm. Please be nice to her. She’s hurting.”

The following day, Anna offered to follow Mirabel to the nearby market to buy some food.

Just as they stepped out, Rose came across an expensive piece of jewellery that belonged to the princess on the table in the room both girls shared. While trying on the earrings, one of them broke. She tried her best to fix it, but she failed. She cried until her mom and the princess returned. Immediately they came in, she reported herself.

To her greatest surprise, the princess forgave her instantly. She was so grateful and ashamed that she had spoken ill of her. She apologized, and from that day, she respected the princess and never gossiped again.