The Prince and the Pig

Once there was a king of France who had three fine sons. He feared that one of them would want to be King in his place. Now although he was old, he didn't want to give up his throne yet.

He decided he would keep his sons so busy, that they couldn't possibly consider staging a revolt, for he was still lively and well experienced in kingship. He decided to 'trick' his sons into allowing him to rule in peace. He summoned them together, and said, "I am sure you will all agree that I am much too old to be King much longer. One of you must take my place.

I will give my crown to the one that finds me the best companion in my old age. I want a clever faithful little dog. To the one who brings me the best 'smallest dog' I will give you my crown".

The princes were surprised, but too respectful to disagree. Their father gave them each plenty of gold, and said, "I will see you in exactly ONE YEAR, with your dogs".

The three brothers swore to be friends, no matter who won. They went their own ways in search of the perfect little dog. They all had fine adventures, but it is the youngest son, Prince Sabre, I shall tell you about today. He was handsome, intelligent, and of a happy disposition. All the things a prince should be. He was learned, talented and braver than a mountain full of dragons.. One evening, as Sabre was journeying through the forest, a storm broke. He had no idea where he was. The storm was terrible with powerful winds and slashing rain.

He struggled on in the night until he saw a light ahead. He fought his way through the brambles and then before him stood a superb castle. Its doors were set with glittering jewels that burst in brilliance as the razor burst of lightening flashed. The door was etched with scenes from every fairy tale ever told. He could see Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and the Frog Prince, configured in the most minute detail. The door knocker was a huge diamond. As the prince knocked, the door slowly opened. He saw a dozen pairs of hands holding torches illuminating the entrance way, but there were no bodies attached to the hands. Now the astonished prince didn't know if he should enter or run away. As he hesitated, he felt other hands draw him inside.

He walked in warily, with his hand on the hilt of his sword. The hands led him to a coral door that opened as he neared it. He went through sixty rooms, and each room was hung with a fairyland. He walked in warily, with his hand on the hilt of his sword. The hands led him to a coral door that opened as he neared it. He went through sixty rooms, and each room was hung with a fairyland Of fine art and jewel-like colors . The hands assisted him in removing his wet clothing, and they were replaced with garments much finer than his own.

Then the hands led him to another room. Here the walls were painted in farmland pastorals. The prince noticed that the pictures depicted many scenes of happy pigs. They were eating cakes and candy, sunning on well groomed lawns. There were swimming pictures, as hogs and boars dove off rocks into a crystal lake. But mostly the scenes showed happy pigs napping on clean hay during warm summer days. A table was set for two with jeweled dishes. A beautiful and delicately built pink pig entered the room, followed by a retinue of very well behaved piglets.

She wore a symphony of amethysts and a silken dress embroidered with ears of corn. "King's Son, welcome," said the pig. "We are pleased to see you. I am Vel the Pig."

"Most excellent Lady," said the prince, "I thank you for your royal aid. Indeed you are a remarkable, errrrr pig! I am amazed by your speech and by your castle, which is marvelous beyond words."

"Prince Sabre," said Vel, "You needn't flatter me. I like simple words and deeds. Now, won't you join me in dinner?" Hands served the dinner -- for Vel, a conglomeration of Twinkies and corn curls smothered in peanut butter, chocolate sauce and peas. All was saturated in milk and bits of brie were attractively set on the plates’ edge. Prince Sabre received a vegetable and cheese pie.

 The sight of the pig's dinner kept the prince from eating his. Vel the Pig, guessing his thoughts, said, "Don't worry, Prince Sabre, Pigs are pigs and men are men, and my cooks are most careful.

You'll not find any pig slop in your dinner." Sabre smiled and ate well. After supper, they went to the next room. Three graceful pigs in ballet costumes did Spanish and Chinese dances.

Later Hands led Prince Sabre to a charming room. It's walls were covered in shimmering peacock feathers formed in the shape or exotic flowers. Early the next morning the prince was awakenedby merry noises outside. He looked out the window and saw the pig court was mounting a hunt. Hands helped him to dress in handsome hunting gear. He went down and was given a gay and spirited wooden horse. To his delight, the horse trotted and galloped and cantered beautifully.

It took fences like a dream. Vel the pig rode a goat. They hunted mechanical hares, who actions were so quick as to give the hunters a mighty challenge .. but in the end, no one was hurt, not even a rabbit. "Prince Sabre", said Vel, "as a rule here we do not hunt our countrymen,the animals. But for your amusement we contrived the mechanical hares. It is my hope that your loveof the hunt is in the chase and not in the kill." Readily the prince agreed.

When they were both filled with the exhilaration of the hunt, Vel led them home to a festival dinner where the hands served an array of tempting dishes to both the Pig and the Prince.

Afterwards, Sabre drank a cup of a magic golden liqueur. He soon forgot why he had left his home. His search for the little dog was forgotten, and it was enough for him to stay in the castle, and enjoy the kind friendship of Vel the Pig. They often rode through the forest and picnicked by a waterfall. They fished and hunted the mechanical rabbits. And in the evenings watched the ballerina pigs or wrote poems or painted in watercolors as they listened to music. They were perfectly by the hands that never tired. Luckily, the pig remembered what the prince had forgotten.

" Do you realize, Dear Prince, that you only have three days to find the little dog your father wanted?"

"What on earth made me forget it?" cried Prince Sabre. "My life is ruined if I fail."

" But how can I find a dog, buy a horse, and get home all in three days?" Vel the pig smiled serenely, "Sabre be calm, I am your friend. You may stay at the castle one day more.

The wooden horse will take you home and he will span the 500 miles in twelve hours. "I am grateful, Vel, but what of the dog?? "Here it is", said Vel the pig, and with that she handed him an acorn.

The prince took it, wondering. "Put it to your ear", she said As he did, from inside the shell he heard a strong little Bark "Keep it shut until you give it to your father", the pig remarked.

Sabre was glad to have no more problems. "But," he said I am sorry to leave you , Vel . You have been so very gracious and I owe you everything". The prince got home before any of his brothers.

When his brothers entered the palace, they didn't know what to think of the prancing wooden horse in the courtyard. And they wondered why their youngest brother appeared to have no dog.

But that was, of course, because they couldn't see the tiny acorn. That evening the king sent for his sons. He admired the two elder son's lapdogs. Then Sabre took the acorn from his pocket.

"This is for you, Father." Sabre stated formally. From a velveteen pillow, leapt a perfect tiny dog. The dog did a Spanish dance, lightly as a snowflake--- and indeed the little dog was not much bigger than one. However the King was dismayed, for his trick had failed . His son had been far too successful. The King still wanted to keep his crown, so he said, "My sons, thank you for the dogs. Now to prove your cleverness once again, I ask you for yet another gift. "Bring me a yard of cloth that will pass through the eye of this needle.

He held up the finest, thinnest embroidery needle made. "Take a year to find your yard of cloth.", he said.

The princes weren’t very pleased, but they set off obediently to find the fabric.

Prince Sabre went straightway to the Vel the Pig. Her palace doors were flung wide in welcome. Fireworks blazed in celebration. Hands helped him from his wooden horse. He and Vel were so happy to see each other. The prince told her what a great success the little dog had been, and how astonished all the courtiers were when his father opened the nut shell. The he told her of his father’s neworders for the yard of cloth. She said, "Don’t worry about your quest for the cloth , Sabre . The worlds’ finest weavers are here in my kingdom. Work will begin on your yard of cloth within the day."

The second year passed as quickly as the first, in merriment and outings of all kinds. Sabre had all but forgotten home and his task to find the fine fabric. Luckily, Vel had kept an eye on the calendar. "You must leave tomorrow to bring your father the cloth. A carriage and guards are ready to take you. There was a rose-gold carriage drawn by twelve bold horses, followed by a hundred smaller carriages filled with generals. There were a thousand bodyguards, in uniforms embroidered so thickly in gold, you couldn’t see the cloth beneath.

"Now you can go home in style", said Vel the Pig. "Here is a walnut for your father. Open it before his eyes . The yard of cloth is inside." "Dearest Vel", said Prince Sabre, "I’d sooner let my father keep his crown, than to leave you. Vel smiled in her piggy way and said," You must do your duty, Good Prince. I am grateful for your friendship. After all, I am but an accessory to eggs and toast in the morning, LOL" The magnificent party of men traveled fast, and reached the king’s palace in no time. The elder sons had already arrived.

They presented their yards of cloth. The cloth was, in fact, very fine. It could pass through the eye of a shoemaker’s needle. With a sly look, the king held up the embroidery needlethey had seen the year before. The cloth didn’t even begin to go through the needle’s eye. The King was secretly glad they had failed. Then, amid trumpet fanfares, Prince Sabre arrived in a splendid entrance. He greeted his family, then he took out the walnut and split it. There was a pecan shell inside. He broke the pecan and saw a cherry stone. Everyone began to whisper and smile.

Inside the cherry stone, was a kernel. At that the whole court laughed. "Someone’s made a fool of the younger prince," they snickered. Prince Sabre opened the kernel . Inside was a grain of wheat and inside that was a grain of rye. Sabre was becoming anxious. He then opened the rye grain. He was almost as amazed as the King and all the courtiers, as he drew from inside the grain of rye, six yards of wondrously fine cloth. When viewed through the most powerful magnifying glass, one could see that pictures were woven into it. It showed all the fish, birds, animals, trees , flowers and plants on earth and under the sea. It showed the sun and the moon and planets in their orbits. It showed all the rulers of the earth, their wives and children and their chief citizens.

The cloth passed through the eye of the needle, six times with no trouble at all. The King was none too pleased. But he had to exclaim at the beauty of the wonderful length of cloth. Hiding his sighs, And trying to show joy, he said, "It pleases me to see how devoted you are to an old man’s wishes. I don’t Want to deprive you of the opportunity to obey me one more time before I relinquish my crown"

"This time go and bring back a beautiful girl to be your bride. Whoever finds the loveliest girl shall win my crown on his wedding day." The princes were too well brought up to contradict their father. They left for the third time. Prince Sabre went with all his company, back to Vel the pig.

"Well Sabre", said Vel the Pig, "Here you are again and still uncrowned." "It’s not your fault I didn’t win the crown", Dear Vel, "I suspect my father really wants to keep his throne for himself."

"No matter", replied Vel, "It is your duty to do all you can to be worthy of the crown, whether you get it or not." I understand that this time you must find a beautiful girl who would be willing to marry you. I fear that this time, I can’t be much help in your search, but you are welcome to stay with me in the palace as long as you choose" Prince Sabre, thought for a few moments.

"Aye, Vel," said Prince Sabre. "You are kind to let me stay. I must confess that I have little care for this third quest. "For I wish not to marry a woman for her face alone." The third year went as quickly as the first two. Sabre and Vel hunted the mechanical hares, fished and wrote plays and poems for their amusement. As the end of the third year arrived, Vel reminded the prince of his obligation to his father. " I fear, this shall be our last meeting, Dear Prince, for it is now time for you to seek your bride. I have loved your sweet company and companionship, My Prince."

Vel’s eyes were wet with little pig tears, her jowls blushed pink in distress.

"Oh Vel, my beloved pig, I cannot leave you to look for a bride, for I have only known love once in my life. I know of the impossibility of this. But I also know that my greatest happiness has been found here, with you and in your wonderful Chateau. Please Vel, don’t make me go to find an empty love. Please, let me remain with you and let me call you my mate. "

Vel the pig sobbed in the futility of it all. "How can you really love me?? I am a PIG. An animal so lowly and despised that it deserves only ridicule and eventual slaughter ." "An animal that only find redemption on the plates of men. "I am, Dear Prince, frankly horrified and repulsed by the few occasions when I see my own image in a mirror or a quiet pool," said the pig, large tears spilling in her tiny eyes, her snout noticeably reddening. "Oh Vel," said Prince Sabre, "Don’t you know that, to me you are BEAUTIFUL!!" In a sudden explosion of purple fire, Vel the Pig changed into a beautiful statuesque young woman with ice blue eyes and radiant long flowing red hair. Her skin was a pale pink and her features were as delicate as a graceful bird. When she smiled, her face lit up the entire world. Slowly the doors of the chamber room opened. Hundreds of noble lords and ladies filed into the room. Each had a Pig-skin over their shoulder.

They each bowed before the fair young queen and vowed homage to her. Vel the Woman spoke aloud to the assembly. "My lords and ladies, this is the day that we are free!! For Prince Sabre has declared his love for me and proclaimed me BEAUTIFUL IN HIS EYES." Even as a homely PIG. With those words, we have been released of the curse by the Evil Fairie Lightening. For Prince Sabre has proven that true and honest love can defy the impossible!! Sabre, I shall accept your gift of love and will give you my throne, to be the wife of the man that I adore."

THE END

Blue Cressa - Dedicated to Sab

There was a time -- when time was before time, there lived a beautiful maiden Princess, the only daughter of a mighty king. He loved her as he loved all things -- with intensity and tenderness. He had raised her alone, for his wife had died when the little girl was very young Her name was Cressa and she had fallen in love with the prince from the neighboring kingdom. They had grown up together as children, and became close in the way that small saplings grow into a wonderful tree.

Cressa's father was delighted at the union, and he told her, "Make your wedding the most glorious event that the world has ever seen."

Because Cressa was so well loved, the gifted artisans gnomes and fairie craftsmen gathered from across the two kingdoms to create a spectacular occasion. The animals of the kingdoms united with the artists to offer their expertise in the making of beautiful things. Silkworms spun their silk for the invitations and an army of talented spiders embroidered each letter in gold leaf . Sparrows and Swallows flew each invitation to every world leader; Kings, Prime Ministers and Emperors from across the planet were specially invited. There was no separation of class or station, for she made sure the common folk of the two kingdoms would be offered an invitation too.

Her dress was a masterpiece. Butterflies and moths united to make her a dress of iridescent wonder. Each of a million of these loyal creatures donated a tiny bit of their wings to adorn her wedding gown, and the magic creatures of the night gave her moonlight to make her veil shimmer with a sacred light.

She had a special chapel built with flowers and fruits crafted by bees of their precious beeswax -- hanging in huge boughs. The ceiling was of gold and silver -- and each of the constellations were represented.

Soon the grand day arrived. Tables of rich and magical foods rested at the side of the chapel aisles. The heads of state had arrived ,as well as the fairies, leprechauns and all the citizens of the land.

They stood before the alter , their heads bent in prayer -- the low voice of the archbishop droning on . Suddenly, there was heard a sharp cawing and flapping of wings. A huge raven , as black as onyx had entered the chapel, and flew above the rafters. With a ghastly burst of green odious smoke --- a woman in black appeared before the astonished Archbishop. She was the notorious dark fairy, Madame Noir.

"So you think that all is forgiven, do you?? " "Your father spurned me once, and married your pale and insignificant mother. On this your wedding day, I shall have my retribution.

As she said that the black raven flew about the chapel, and a huge shadow appeared in its wake. Where the shadow spread, the congregation fell into a deep coma like sleep. The witch laughed and clapped with each sweep of its wings. Soon the 1000's of people in attendance -- were utterly frozen in the horrible enchantment.

From the witches finger tips came a frightening purple electricity. Suddenly Cressa and Gautier were swept to a black wasteland.

The witch was soon to follow ... "Now Girl, your pretty face and countenance shall be cast away forever --- for I cared not for your oafish father, but for his kingdom. You will be but a feather -- cast about the skies forgotten by everyone who ever cared for you."

With that curse Cressa felt her body change . Her pure white skin became prickled, and feathers began to appear. Her mouth and nose became hard and pointed --- as a bill. Her legs shrank and bent. And her lovely hands fell away, to reveal blue wings.

Gautier drew his sword, and with a shriek he charged at the vengeful witch. He was suddenly lifted in the air about him; suspended above the ground. With a mighty crashing scream, the earth before them split open. Growing up from the earth, a cruel huge tower of granite was magically built. He kicked and fought as he was lifted into the air. The horrid tower building beneath his feet.  

Cressa looked up in terror. What was happening to her lover? The tower rose a thousand feet into the air. There were no doors or stairs . Only a single small window. He fell to the granite floor, dazed. The witch filled his mind with dreadful lizards and hoptoads. And he thrashed and fitted in a sick and demented sleep.

   The witch now laid her attention on the tiny frightened bird "Be off with you worthless sparrow". And with that a strong wind picked up Cressa and pulled her into a gray cloud. She had never flown and her wings were new and fragile. She flew aimlessly, filled with fright and grief. The wind tore at her. She was exhausted, wet and hungry. Finally her wings gave out and she fell from the sky. She landed in a thicket --- nearly dead from the torturous flight and evil transformation. Her agony was extreme, yet all she could do was relive the dreadful events.

Gautier, alone in the dreary tower, awoke from his awful dreams. He looked about his surroundings. Cold granite walls, a wood hewn chair and table, and simple cot. Then he remembered Cressa.

He wailed a cry of animal rage . He attacked the solid rock with his hands -- trying to make a passage. He threw the table and chair -- it a fit of grief and anger.

How could he have not protected her? How could he have not seen? How could he have let the witch take her ? But Where? What happened to her ... he couldn't remember. She was changed -- but how?? He beat his head with his hands --- still -- he could not remember that she had been changed to a small bird. He paced and ranted for hours -- then in sheer frustration ... he began to cry out his anger and hurt. He fell into a haunted and terrible sleep.

  He dreamt of Cressa, and how she was taken away. And then he remembered it was HIS FAULT.

After every sleep, he would fly into his horrible rage, and after every sleep, his rude furniture would be restored, and bread and wine would magically appear. Weeks had gone by. Every night, he attacked the walls with fury and hatred. Every night he would collapse in tears --- knowing her had failed her.

Cressa -- by this time had learned to fly , to find berries and actually ate insects and worms. She was at first revolted by her actions. But found that she craved the crunchy bugs and tender berries. She was adapting to being a bird. She found that she thrilled to be in flight. and swooped and twisted and glided in the air with expertise.

Still in the back of her mind, there was something she had to look for .... something that she needed.

Meanwhile, the witch had taken over both the royal kingdoms. She had cast a spell on both armies. The plan was perfecting, for soon she would wage war on all the kingdoms, and become the Empress of the world.

As Cressa was flying she saw, far, far into the distance an ancient tower, smothered in ivy, a lone structure on a blasted hill. That sight -- the lone tower, made her heart leap in her tiny bird chest. The memories began to pour over her like a heavy rain. She sobbed as she flew ---- but continued the flight

 She remembered her handsome Gautier -- his tender eyes and his gentle hands. She remembered their kisses -- hot and heavy with wanting ... how he would whisper to her ... how he told her how he loved her. And she remembered the terrible day -- when their happiness was destroyed by evil magic.

She flew around and around the tower ---- no doors -- no gates --- just solid rock. As she approached the top, she found a sole small window, encased in ivy. It was no larger than a picture frame.

She skillfully flew closer . The winds blew and thrust her about, but she found a narrow sill. The window was covered with crisscrossed bars. But she could see in. And there ,to her horror was Gautier --- thin and worn. His eyes were blank and bruised from weeping, his face haggard and torn. He stared off into a non existent world -- a madman who had only a scrap of his tormented mind left.

She tried to call out to him, to tell him that she was there, but all that came out was a sweet bird song. She sang on, but he sat so still -- so far away. She sang of their love, of their hopes for marriage and her grief at the terrible plight that had befallen them.

Slowly, as she sang, Gautier lifted his head . He was amazed at the lovely iridescent blue bird at the tiny window. Her song was cheerful , then sad, then hopeful. All these things he heard, in the fragile bird song, and his broken heart, began to mend.

As night came, Cressa would fly away to the safety of a glade, to eat her berries and insects, and to drink rainwater and dew from the succulent plants.

Every day she would return to the tower to sing to her beloved. Soon Gautier began to move close to the tiny bird, and he eventually extended a finger. She would perch there and sing , as he would stroke her colorful feathers.

She was happy to have found him again, and ease his pain with her chirps and warbles. As she would fly to the tower in the morning, she would see pretty shiny things on the ground. She would swoop down to pick up. bits of string or colored paper, sometimes rosebuds or an attractive leaf. He let out a cry, once, when she delivered a huge black water bug. She realized from that --- he didn't have the singular affection for bugs that she had.

He was delighted with the small presents she brought and fed her crusts of hard bread. Every day, he would tell her the story of his beloved Cressa, now dead and gone, and how he prayed at night that God would just let him die, for he had been responsible for her death by not protecting her.

As the weeks passed, she saw how he looked better and how he was no longer smashing his simple furniture. She saw that he was eating some and had moments of peaceful sleep.

They went on this way for some time. Each day she would sing to him. She would sing that she was Cressa , that she loved him still, and that he was not at blame for their plight. But he thought her songs were only pretty. But he also realized that this little bird had saved his life by her daily visitations and her tiny offerings. It never occurred to him that she was anything but a remarkable little wild bird.

One day, as she was singing at the window, a black and evil raven flew near the tower. He peered closely. He knew it was the enchanted princess and that she had found her Prince.

The raven flew back swiftly to the dreadful witch,

and told her of their meetings. At first the witch was enraged that the fates that had reunited them, but soon a malicious plan developed in her mind. Her campaign to become the most powerful being in the world was close to becoming a reality. At all costs, her mind must remain focused on her ambition, she had no time for dealing with birds and captive princes.

She spun about in a circle, and cast a spell upon the tower window. Razors and swords, rapiers and knives sprung to being. They were nearly invisible tangled tight to the thick ivy.

That morning , as Cressa flew, she saw a particularly lovely piece of red string. It was a perfect gift for Gautier.

She twittered happily as she flew to her window sill, looking forward to her day with him.

As she landed, she let out a scream. Her delicate bird feet were cut and bleeding from a wicked rapier. As she struggled in pain and fear, a knife was plunged into her wing, and a razor bit into her neck.

Gautier cried out in horror, as he witnessed the lovely little bird being cut to pieces. And then- as she floundered and lay gasping on the ledge, a sword slid down and pierced open her tiny chest.

He raced to the window and squeezed his hand through the bars to retrieve the tiny body. He wept as he had never wept before. In his hand lay the small ravaged, bloodsoaked bird, her eyes closed, and her heart cut open; softly oozing.

He wept deeply. The tears flowing like water. He held the tiny bird to his face as he sobbed. But just then, one of his tears fell into the center of the little birds heart.

As each tear fell and splashed onto the precious organ of love. A great whishing and whirling sound thundered about them. The Evil hated tower -- began to melt away.

In his amazement, his tears fell as a benediction. The little bird was healing with every teardrop. Her wounds were mending in her tiny breast. He could see the gasping of her lungs and the beating of her heart.

Now he wept for joy, and the more the tears fell, he saw her face and body change. Her feathers fell away, her skin became creamy and white. Her legs and body elongated, and golden soft hair flowed about her shoulders.

But she did not move. Her blue eyes stared off, and he realized that although she had changed into his beloved princess -- she was not alive.

He swept her up in his arms, holding close and telling her of his love. And how he had loved her as bird as well as a princess. And as he held her, and told her of his love , her arms slid up his back to return his embrace. For he had never failed -- his love had brought her back to life.

Though they were unaware at the time, the evil Madame Noir was struck down and rendered powerless. Her armies dissolved into mist and her black raven shrank away retruning to his natural shape… a common house fly.

-Velvetinne- >> the end<<<