The Princess and the Pea bedtime story: a magical tale to read

Chapter 1: The Search for a True Princess

Once upon a time, in a kingdom far, far away, there lived a young prince who had reached the age to marry. However, the prince was not interested in just any bride—he sought a true princess. A true princess, he believed, would not only be of noble birth but would possess a heart as pure as gold, a mind as sharp as a sword, and a soul filled with compassion.

So, the prince set off on a journey that took him across many lands. He visited grand palaces and humble castles, meeting countless princesses along the way. Some were incredibly beautiful, with flowing hair and sparkling eyes; others were clever and witty, able to solve the most challenging riddles. Yet, something was always missing. Either they lacked kindness or had little patience, or perhaps their laughter was too sharp, hiding a heart that wasn’t as gentle as the prince wished.

After many months of searching, the prince returned to his kingdom, weary and disappointed. He shared his troubles with the king and queen, who understood his concerns. “Do not lose hope, my son,” the queen said with a gentle smile. “The right princess will come along when the time is right, and when she does, we will know.”

Chapter 2: A Stormy Night

One dark and stormy night, when the wind howled through the trees and lightning lit up the sky, the royal family gathered in the warmth of their grand hall. The fire crackled in the fireplace, and the storm outside made the castle feel even cozier. Suddenly, there was a loud knock at the castle door. The sound was so unexpected that everyone in the room paused, looking at each other with curiosity.

The king ordered the door to be opened, and there stood a young woman, drenched from head to toe. Her hair clung to her face, and her clothes were soaked through, but even in such a state, she held herself with grace and dignity. “I am a princess,” she declared, her voice steady despite the thunder crashing behind her. “I have traveled far, and I seek shelter from the storm.”

The queen, ever wise and observant, looked at the girl with a thoughtful expression. Could this really be a princess? She had no proof, no jewels or fine clothes, just her word. But something about the girl’s presence struck the queen as genuine. “Come in, my dear,” said the queen warmly. “We shall provide you with dry clothes and a place to rest.”

Chapter 3: The Test of the Pea

As the young woman was led away to dry herself, the queen began to ponder. “If she is truly a princess,” the queen thought, “she will have a sensitivity that only true royalty possesses.” And so, the queen devised a plan to test the girl’s claim.

The queen went to the guest room where the princess would sleep that night. She called for her maids and instructed them to prepare a special bed for their guest. First, she placed a single, small pea on the wooden bed frame. Then, she ordered twenty thick mattresses to be stacked on top of the pea. Finally, twenty more feather beds were placed on top of the mattresses. The bed reached the ceiling, and the maids had to bring in a ladder just so the young woman could climb to the top.

When the princess was shown to her room, she looked up at the towering bed in surprise. But, without complaint, she climbed the ladder and nestled herself under the soft blankets. The storm continued to rage outside, but inside the castle, all was quiet.

Chapter 4: A Restless Night

The next morning, the sun shone brightly, as if the storm had never happened. The birds chirped, and the air was fresh and clean. The royal family gathered for breakfast in the grand dining hall, eager to hear how their guest had slept.

When the young woman entered the room, her face looked tired, and there were dark circles under her eyes. The queen, noticing this, asked kindly, “My dear, how did you sleep?”

The young woman sighed and replied, “Oh, I hardly slept at all. I don’t know what was in that bed, but something hard was pressing against my back all night. It felt like a rock, and I am bruised all over. I could not find a moment’s rest.”

The prince and the queen exchanged knowing glances. The prince’s heart filled with joy, for only a true princess could be so sensitive as to feel a tiny pea through twenty mattresses and twenty feather beds. He knew then that his search was over.

Chapter 5: The Happy Ending

The prince could hardly contain his excitement. He approached the young woman and took her hand gently in his. “You are the princess I have been searching for,” he said with a smile. The young woman looked at him with surprise, but when she saw the warmth and sincerity in his eyes, she knew he spoke the truth.

The queen, pleased with the outcome of her test, smiled and nodded approvingly. The king ordered the castle to be decorated for a grand celebration, for his son had finally found his true princess.

The wedding was a grand affair, with people coming from all corners of the kingdom to witness the joyous event. The tiny pea was placed in a glass case and displayed in the royal museum as a reminder of the unique way the prince had found his bride. The prince and princess ruled the kingdom with kindness and wisdom, always remembering the lesson they had learned from that tiny pea.

And so, they lived happily ever after.