In a sparkling kingdom lived a prince, obsessed with flawlessness. Everything needed to be perfect, from his socks to his supper. Marriage came knocking, but princesses, no matter how lovely, couldn't escape his critical eye. Frustrated, his parents said, "Find your own perfect match, son!"
He journeyed far and wide, but alas, no one met his impossible standards. One day, by a babbling brook, he saw a shimmering strand of hair floating by. Enchanted, he searched for its owner, hoping for the most perfect lady ever. He visited every house, but no long hair was found. Dejected, he sat by the brook, when a song drifted by. It belonged to a girl carrying water, her long hair flowing like a black river.
He tried to see her face, but she hid behind the door, offering only a beautiful hand to give him water. Blinded by the hair and hand, he fell head over heels, proposing on the spot. She agreed, only if he kept her face hidden till after the wedding.
A grand ceremony unfolded, and with trembling fingers, the prince lifted the veil. His jaw dropped! Underneath was not a beauty queen, but a wrinkled, toothless woman! The kingdom had a peculiar rule: no divorce, only death could break a bond. So, the prince hatched a dreadful plan. He mixed poison in her mango juice, hoping to end it all.
But this wise woman was quick! While he pretended concern, she swapped the glasses, making him the victim of his own plot. Falling ill wasn't so bad, but her "care" was torture! Lullabies were croaks, medicines tasted like swamp water, and a week of this left him feeling worse than ever.
Next, he tried feeding her to a hungry lion. But this woman loved sweets, and guess what? So did the lion! With sugary candies as peace offerings, she turned the beast into her furry friend. The prince, expecting lion chow, fainted to see her riding the mane, the lion purring like a kitten.
Finally, defeated and humbled, he realized his mistake. He had been searching for perfection with a magnifying glass, ignoring the true beauty within. He found the old woman, confessed his foolishness, and with a heartfelt "sorry," the magic happened! She transformed into the very princess he had rejected, the one who loved singing by the brook.
The prince learned a valuable lesson: true beauty lies not in flawlessness, but in the kind heart, brave spirit, and wisdom that shone from the old woman, the princess, his wife. And they lived happily ever after, with a very happy lion as their loyal pet.
Remember, children, outward appearances can be misleading. Look beyond the surface, appreciate the good in others, and always say sorry if you make a mistake. Just like the prince, you too can learn and grow from your experiences. And who knows, you might even make a furry friend along the way!