Sleeping Beauty, Part 1

[yawning] Oh, I'm sorry, Captain.

What was that? I think I must've been asleep.

What, what day is it? Is it story time already? Okay, no, I'm, I'm ready.

I'm ready.

I've got the perfect story actually right here.

Let's begin.

The Sleeping Beauty, Part 1.

Once upon a time, there was a king and there was a queen, and they were very unhappy because they had no children.

Everything else that a heart could wish for was theirs.

They were rich.

They lived in a wonderful palace full of treasures.

Their kingdom was at peace, and their people were prosperous.

Yet none of these things contented them because they wanted a little child of their own to love and care for.

Every day, the king would look at the queen and say, "Ugh, if we only had a little child." And the queen would look at the king and sigh, and they were both very miserable about it.

Then they would put on their golden crowns and sit side by side upon their thrones while lords and ladies and ambassadors came to pay them homage.

They smiled for the sake of politeness, but there was no joy in their hearts.

And that is one of the greatest disadvantages of being a king or a queen, that one always has to hide one's feelings.

Now it happened one day that the queen went to her bath and, having dismissed her ladies, began idly to play with rose petals floating upon the water.

Suddenly she heard a croaking voice say-

"Oh Queen, be cheerful, for the dearest wish of your heart will be granted to you."

Looking about in surprise, she saw a great frog gazing at her with round, bright eyes.

The queen was not fond of frogs because they are cold and clammy creatures, but she was far too polite to show it.

"And do you know what my wish may be?" She asked.

"It is to have a little child of your own," replied the frog.

The queen nodded.