ORIGINAL CHILDREN STORY: THE TALE OF THE ROYAL CAT (FICTION)

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Once upon a time, in a faraway kingdom there lived a Princess named Lucia. She’s a beautiful lady who has everything that anyone can dream of. The King and Queen love her so much and they will do whatever it takes just to please their only daughter. There’s nothing that Princess Lucia can’t get; she’s indeed a spoiled brat. She doesn’t like to share the blessings that she has, making it hard for her to find friends.

One day, the Queen ordered the tailors to make a fabulous gown for the Princess which they immediately abide. After putting some finishing touch, they are very excited to present the gown to the Princess.

“Your Highness, this is the gown that we’ve made for your debut. The materials used were the most expensive and the best.”

“You call it a gown? Well, all I see is a filthy ugly trash!”

“But your highness, most of us didn’t sleep just to make it perfect. Please try it first; maybe you will change your mind.”

“Are you saying that I’m wrong?”

“No, Your Highness. I’m very sorry, it’s not what I mean.”

“You are just a servant and a Princess like me doesn’t care about your opinion!”

The Queen heard the commotion and the loud voice coming from her daughter’s room.

“What is going on here?”

“Mom, look at my gown. I don’t like it.”

“Have you already tried it?”

“I haven’t but I know that it will not fit on me.”

“My dear, it’s not right to judge too early and I also heard that you are shouting at them.”

The tailors are very happy to hear the Queen’s words. Their faces became bright as if someone saved them from drowning.

“But mom, they are just servants. Without us they are nothing.”

“We are nothing without them. Each of us plays an important role and these people deserve the equal respect that they are showing to us. So now, what I want you to do is to say your sincere apologies to them.”

“That will never happen!”

The Princess runs very fast with a deep anger. It’s too late before she can even notice that she’s already lost in the forest. While walking and thinking the way back to the palace, a blind maiden who seems like the same of her age asked for some help.

“Excuse me, I heard your footsteps. I haven’t eaten since yesterday. Could you spare me some food? I’m really hungry and I’ll appreciate your kindness.”

“I don’t talk to a beggar so you better get out of my face. Find yourself a food.”

Princess Lucia didn’t know that the blind woman is the Enchantress of the forest. Before she even realizes it, the Enchantress finally revealed herself.

“Good people must be rewarded while others must learn their lesson. All the things that you did will be done to you. The only way to break the spell is up to you.”

The Princess feels dizzy until she fell asleep. She woke up near the river and saw the reflection of a cat on the water. She remembered the woman and terrified to found out that she was the cat. She cried and begged the Enchantress to bring her back but no one answer. After a moment, she hears that someone is coming. Instead of the Enchantress, it is a big wolf with scary eyes.

“Come here little cat and play with me.”

“Y-you can talk? Are you a talking wolf? And I’m not a cat, I’m Princess Lucia!”

“Ha-ha-ha! Are you insane? You are talking too much, it is making me hungry!”

The cat knows that the wolf is going to eat her so she runs as fast as she can to save her life. She ended up in a village and many people are busy in the street. No matter how many times she screams, no one will understand her except for the animals. While walking, she smells a food and followed the scent. It is from the bakery shop but the moment she steps inside, the owner kicks her out. The poor cat broke her one leg and she can’t even move. She only wants a piece of bread and didn’t expect this kind of cruelty.

A young child saw her and felt pity towards the cat’s condition. He decided to carry and bring it in their small home.

“Mama I’ve found this cat. She’s sick and I can’t live her alone just to die in the street.”

“What you did is right, my son. Come inside and I will put a bandage on her broken leg.”

The Princess was touched by how the family treated her. They are poor but never hesitate to take care of her with open arms. The father and the mother are both working on the farm to earn a living. They have five children and the child who picked her up was the youngest.

The family was contented to have at least three meals a day. The Princess realized how fortunate she is. They are contented in having simple clothes while she’s giving a tantrum with a single gown that costs higher than what this family owned. She was also ashamed of herself because these ordinary people have a better personality and attitude than a royal blood like her.

While in the middle of realizing things, everybody was shocked to saw the mother collapsed on the floor. She lost her appetite and doesn’t want to eat anything. They tried all the herbal medicines that they know but it’s not working. All of them are worried because she’s getting weaker each passing days.

“Papa, let’s bring mama to the doctor.”

“Son, I will do it if only I can but we don’t have enough money to pay a doctor’s fee.”

The cat can’t do anything and it’s tearing her soul. The princess went to the forest and begged in the Enchantress once more. But this time, she asked for something else.

“I know that you can hear me. You've told me before that good people must be rewarded and they were the kindest people that I've known since I became like this. I’m willing to be a cat forever and even worst, so I’m begging you to help this family. Please take my own life and let the mother lives.”

In just a snap of a finger, the Enchantress appears in front of her.

“Finally, you can now see your mistakes and learn the importance of sacrificing for the welfare of others. The mother will recover her strength and you will be back in the time where everything begins. Fix it or face again the consequences.”

The Princess is back in her room and she hurries to the mirror. She’s no longer a cat and her heart is full of happiness for the second chance that was given to her. Someone is knocking in the door until a familiar scene came over.

“Your Highness, this is the gown that we’ve made for your debut. The materials used were the most expensive and the best.”

“I like it and I love it! I don’t know what to say. Thank you so much, my hardworking tailors and I miss all of you. Let me give everyone a tight hug.”

“Y-your Highness, are you alright? Servants like us don’t deserve to be hug by the Princess. We are just nothing.”

“All of you are my friends and as your friend, you can now call me as Lucia. No more of “Your Highness” and “Princess.”

The Queen heard the commotion and the loud voice coming from her daughter’s room.

“What is going on here?”

“Mom, look at my gown. It is perfect.”

The Princess became matured in her decisions and actions. She asked the King and Queen to allow her to have a facility that offers free service to the poor people that need medical assistance and a foundation that will take care of stray animals. Princess Lucia is now ready to take a big responsibility in the kingdom with a genuine heart.

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