Smoke rose gently from the chimney of a cottage while bright golden flames lit up a little parlor where there sat a small girl, warming her toes by the fire. She was a pretty child, wearing a long nightgown. Her curls hung loose around her shoulders, framing her little face. She looked up smiling at her grandfather, who sat quite still and silent beside her in his chair.
“Grandfather, tell me a story.”
Roused from his thoughts, he turned to his little granddaughter and said,
“What kind of story would you like to hear?”
“Tell me a fairytale!” she replied.
“A fairytale?” he smiled.
She laughed and urged him further.
He hugged his little granddaughter close to him as she rested her head on his shoulder. The grandfather took a deep breath and began,
“Once upon a time, there lived an old King who had no joy in his heart. He had little to do but think about himself when he had no wars to occupy him.
One day, the King sat on his throne looking very downcast. Two of the King’s royal advisors came to visit him. When they saw how sad the poor King looked they became very concerned.
‘The poor King,’ whispered one to the other. ‘He looks so sad.’
‘Yes, I am afraid it will affect his health.’
The two faithful advisors began discussing a plan they believed might help the King find a cure. They knew the King was very sad and they wished to bring him a remedy as soon as possible. After a short discussion, they turned to the King to tell him their plan.
‘Your Majesty,’ began the first, ‘we have been discussing a solution to your troubles.’
The King lifted his sagging eyebrows and asked,
‘Have you a cure for me, then?’
‘We suggest sending out a proclamation to all the people of the land requesting that they seek out and bring you the best cure for sorrow in the world.’
The King nodded his heavy head.
The men left in a hurry, eager to send out the proclamation.
The next day, a man in a large plumed hat stepped out into the town square to announce the news to the town’s people.
‘Hear ye, hear ye!’ his voice rang out.
The people began to gather around.
‘The King desires for all of the people of the land to seek out the greatest cure for sorrow in the world. To the one who discovers a cure, the King shall bestow an award.’
Soon after the proclamation had been read, crowds of eager villagers flocked around the palace, excited to show the King their cures. The King called for the first villager to come forward and show him the remedy to his problem. The first recommended an herbal tea, which he claimed had healed many sorrowful people. The next recommended a pet as a companion. The King, however, already had many pets. Another villager gave the King a plant. This confused the King until the villager explained that a plant is a beautiful thing and that beautiful things are often known to give pleasure. The last villager, well, he simply wished to meet the King and so, the villager was happy, and still the King was not.
At last, the Queen came to the King and said,
‘Let me call for the Court Jester, my dear. I am told he has been working on a performance that will bring joy to your heart,’
‘Very well,’ he sighed.
The Court Jester entered wearing his elaborate clothing. His hat was puffy with a big feather, his shoes were long and pointy, and his coat sparkled and shined. He began to dance and sing for the King. He jumped so high, clicked his heels, and landed softly on the ground again. Yet still, his performance was having no effect on the King. The villagers, however, watched on in awe. Finally, from one little corner of the very great hall, there came a little noise. The noise was soft and hardly noticeable at first, then it grew louder and louder. Suddenly, the King looked up and his eyes darted around the room. He could hear the most wonderful laughter coming from somewhere in the hall. The laughter was so pure and so happy that it raised the King into a laugh himself!
‘Who,’ he gasped, ‘who is the one with that pure and true laugh?’
The laughing soon stopped, and the people began looking around to see who had pleased the King.
‘Your Majesty,’ said a little voice, ‘it was I who laughed.’
Out of the crowd, there stepped a little village girl. She had large eyes and a little torn dress. She looked up and smiled at the King. He looked down at the little girl, and then his voice rang out;
‘Court Jester, entertain this little one!’
The Court Jester danced and sang for the little girl. She laughed so sweetly that the King’s heart was soon merry and no longer sad. He then rose from his throne and stepped towards the little girl.
‘You shall be given an award. From this day forth, you shall no longer be known as a ‘little village girl’ but as a ‘little princess’, and you must visit me as often as you can.’
The little princess threw her arms around the old King’s knees, and the whole Kingdom rejoiced! Finally, when the celebrations had ended, the Queen said to the King;
‘Of all of the riches in the world, a little child is what made you happy?’
‘Yes,’ replied the King. ‘The only cure for sorrow is a gift that only God can give.’
And they all lived happily ever after,” the old grandfather finished.
“That was a wonderful story,” sighed the little girl. “I wish I lived a fairytale childhood like that.”
Her old grandfather smiled as he lifted her to carry her off to bed.
“You’re not as far from it as you think, little princess.”