She'd grown up aware of the surrounding forest. She knew the birds that flew along its outskirts and, on occasion, watched a timid deer peek from among the trees.
This day, she was the one peeking across the divide between civilized and wild. Even at the boundary, while she could still hear the the servants calling to each other and smell pies baking in the kitchen, the forest tempted her with wonders she'd never imagined.
I'll only take a few steps in, she thought. I'll keep the castle in view. I won't go far--no, not far at all...
16 comments:
Boy howdy, you'd make a great scary fairy tale teller, Petrea.
And yay you for spotting such a fabulous fungus.
I wonder if they are baking magic mushroom pies in that kitchen...
Wowee zowee I walk by that thing as often as possible to see if its eaten any more princesses. It is beautiful.
Whatch been smokin' darlin? :)
V
Carry on with the tale, please carry on. I love stories that start like this.
That fungus must be Chicken of the Forest. Fry in butter with a little salt and accompany with a fine Bordeaux. When you wake up, you'll find yourself in a dirty hovel doing housework for seven dwarves. That's why I've never tried it.
Pretty photo. I think you should buy it.
Can't smoke, V, I'm an addict.
Bellis, I think you should continue the story.
Steven, should I buy the mushroom, the castle or the photo?
The Vizier saw her from his window as she stole across the sward: her morning coat showed her pretty feet.
"Hm. We lose more Princesses that way …" he thought.
Watcha say? Sorry, you've been talkin' in my wooden ear!
Is it just me? I think it's lovely, and no doubt magically delicious.
Pretty feet. Feet and ankles used to be thought of as so unbearably beautiful that they couldn't be shown.
Cliff, I've heard of wooden legs and wooden teeth, but not wooden ears. Please to read with your reg'lar eyeballs.
Not just you, Hiker. It takes my breath away. I visit it.
You do know how to spin a tale for your fabulous photos. You had me at mushroom.
Since the princess had been confined to the castle for so long, her activities had been confined to watching the Discovery Channel and Harry Potter marathons. Bear Grylls was the man she badly wanted and she knew he would not come knocking at her door; a man who'd climbed Everest and who served in Special Forces was not going to be content on a velvet cushion.
When she left the palace, the princess was prepared for any challenge the forest might offer. Amongst her gear, she had a copy of Grylls' "Living Wild" in her backpack, as well as all of the Harry Potter books. Her gown was 'mossy break-up' camoflague that would make a good tent as well as being the closest thing to an 'invisibility cloak' she could find.
Using rope she'd woven from her own hair, she rappeled the castle wall, and set off in search of her Prince -- Type A princess needs a Type A man.
I don't know if this thing is a mushroom, Susan, but if the picture had you, I'm pleased.
Speedway, a pop culture fairy tale for our princess.
I like your story and the photo -- a good way to start the weekend. :)
I hope you have a lovely weekend, Ms. M!
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