The Princess and the Pea - Fixed Fairy Tales

Summary

In this humorous twist on the classic fairy tale, a picky prince tests a soggy, mud-covered woman by making her sleep on 20 mattresses with a pea underneath. The next morning, she reveals she couldn’t sleep because of the discomfort, and the prince celebrates her passing the test. However, the princess is furious at the absurdity of the test and storms off, choosing instead to find a kinder prince who treats her with respect. The story humorously critiques outdated traditions and promotes kindness, with a witty reminder not to hide vegetables under mattresses.

Takeaways

• 😀 The story begins with a picky prince who is determined to find a 'true princess'.
• 🌧️ The prince is feeling down and despairing, particularly because of a storm and his inability to find a suitable princess.
• 🚪 A soggy, muddy young woman knocks at the castle door, asking for shelter from the storm.
• 👸 The prince initially refuses her entry, stating that they only admit true princesses, but the woman insists.
• 🤔 The prince is skeptical but allows the young woman in, despite her muddy and disheveled appearance.
• 🍽️ The queen prepares a warm meal and a bed for the woman, believing she has a way to test her true identity.
• 🛏️ The queen sets up a bed with 20 mattresses, 20 comforters, and a tiny pea to test if the woman can feel the discomfort of the pea.
• ❗ The prince questions the method, suggesting they could simply confirm her status by contacting her kingdom.
• 🥱 The next morning, the young woman reveals she couldn't sleep due to a lump or rock in the bed, which was the pea hidden under the mattresses.
• 🎉 The prince is ecstatic, believing the woman passed the test and is now a true princess, but she is outraged by the test.
• 😡 The woman rejects the prince's offer, declaring the test was unfair and deciding to find someone kinder, ultimately meeting a more respectful prince.
• 💡 The story's moral is to always be kind to others and avoid unnecessary, mean tests, especially ones involving hidden vegetables.

Q & A

What is the main premise of the story?

The story is about a picky prince trying to find a true princess. His mother, the Queen, devises a test involving a pea under many layers of mattresses to determine the princess's sensitivity.

How does the prince react when the woman arrives at the castle?

The prince initially doubts the woman’s status as a true princess due to her muddy and disheveled appearance. However, he eventually allows her inside out of courtesy.

Why does the Queen prepare such an elaborate test for the woman?

The Queen believes that only a true princess would be sensitive enough to feel a tiny pea placed under numerous layers of mattresses and comforters, and thus be able to pass the test.

What is the significance of the pea in the story?

The pea symbolizes the Queen's idea of sensitivity, as only a true princess would feel discomfort from such a small object hidden under many layers of bedding.

How does the woman respond to the test in the morning?

The woman claims that she couldn’t sleep at all due to a rock or lump in the bed, which was the pea. Her discomfort reveals her sensitivity, which the Queen and prince interpret as proof that she is a true princess.

What is the prince’s reaction after the woman reveals she failed to sleep due to the pea?

The prince is overjoyed and declares that the woman has passed the test, congratulating her for being a true princess.

How does the woman react when she learns the entire situation was a test?

She is furious and insulted by the idea that she was tested under such ridiculous circumstances. She finds the prince’s actions mean-spirited and decides to leave.

Why does the woman refuse to marry the prince?

The woman refuses to marry the prince because she feels disrespected by his childish behavior and the cruel test. She believes he doesn't treat women well and decides to leave him.

What is the resolution of the story?

The woman leaves the prince and finds a kinder, more respectful prince to marry. They live happily ever after, and the moral of the story emphasizes kindness and not hiding vegetables under the bed.

What lesson can be learned from this version of 'The Princess and the Pea'?

The story teaches the importance of kindness, respect, and fairness, especially in relationships. It also satirizes the idea of using arbitrary tests to judge someone's worth, emphasizing that such tests are unnecessary and harmful.