The Real Princess
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A Prince wanted to marry a real princess more than anything. He traveled far and wide, searching for a real princess to wed.
The Prince met many princesses on his long journey. But something always seemed not quite right about them. Sadly, the Prince came home.
That very night, a storm brought thunder and pouring rain. Someone knocked loudly at the palace door.
The old King opened the door. A young woman stood outside, soaking wet from the storm. 'I am a real princess,' she said.
The Queen heard this and smiled a quiet smile. 'We shall soon see!' she whispered, and tiptoed off to the bedroom.
The Queen placed three tiny peas on the bare bed. Then she piled twenty soft mattresses on top of the peas.
On top of the mattresses, she laid twenty fluffy feather beds. She stepped back, smiled, and whispered: 'We shall soon see!'
The princess climbed all the way up to sleep. She tossed and turned all night, but could not get comfortable.
The next morning, the princess came down looking very tired. 'Oh, I slept so badly!' she said. 'Something hard was under me all night!'
The Queen clapped her hands with joy. Only a real princess could feel three small peas so far below!
The Prince took the princess's hand and smiled. He had found his real princess at last, and they were very happy together.
That night, the whole palace was warm and still. What is real can show itself in the tiniest ways.