The Kidnapping of Princess Deanne
Once there was a young princess who lived in a far away land in a great castle with her father, the King. Today I am going to tell the tale of the kidnapping of Princess Deanne.
The young princess who was named Deanne had fallen in love with the handsome stableboy Matt. But alas, he was only a stableboy, so they could never be together.
One day Deanne was walking in the royal garden when a fire breathing dragon flew over the kingdom. She screamed as he scorched the tops of trees. The dragon flew down and she started running. The dragon overtook her and grabbed her with his long snakelike tongue. All the villagers gasped as the dragon pulled her into his mouth. As he flew away, the villagers saw the princess pry the mouth open, and were still watching as he curled his tail around her waist and flew off into the distance.
The next day the king posted a message. It said:
"THE PRINCESS HAS BEEN CAPTURED BY A FIRE-BREATHING DRAGON. ANY KNIGHTS BRAVE ENOUGH TO RESCUE HER SHALL HAVE HER HAND IN MARRIAGE."
All the knights that saw it thought the king was crazy. Nobody would go up against a fire-breathing dragon... except for Matt, the stableboy.
Matt walked into the castle and told the king he would go. The king smiled and told him he was too young. Matt pleaded with the king. The king finally gave in, and Matt got suited up with a sword and armor and was on his way.
Halfway there, Matt shed the armor. It slowed him down.
Finally he came to the mouth of the dragons cave. He left his sword outside and started creeping through the cave. He heard breathing and saw a flame. He snuck into that room and saw mountains of gold and jewels. Hanging from the ceiling was a giant golden bird cage, and in it was...Deanne! She saw Matt and let out a cry of joy.
The dragon heard and looked over at Matt. He let out a roar of anger and started chasing him. It was a wild chase and the dragon almost caught him once or twice but the brave stableboy outwitted him evey time. Matt led him outside where he left his sword. He ducked around the corner and when the dragon came out he swung the sword up and slashed his head off.
Matt then went in to get the fair princess. He climbed up the cave wall and opened up the golden bird cage that held Deanne. He helped her out and they climbed to the ground. He took her into his arms and told her they'd never be apart again.
Matt and Deanne filled a cloth bag weaved from gold with gold and jewels and started for home. When they got home the king arranged a wedding right away. Deanne's heart almost burst with joy as she finally got to say, "I do", to the man of her dreams.
The End
© Cassie Bourgeois 1997