THORN ROSE


In the long, long ago, there lived a king and queen who for many years
had no children.

At last a lovely baby was born to them--a little princess.

There was great rejoicing over all the land. The king and queen decided
to have a party in honor of the princess.

In the palace there was hurry and stir to make ready. Messengers were
sent far and near, to invite the lords and ladies of the land to the
great feast.

Among the guests invited to the party were seven good fairies.

It was a beautiful summer afternoon. The roses on the palace wall were
nodding their heads sleepily in the warm breeze, when the chariot with
the seven fairies arrived.

The good fairies entered the princess' room. There the tiny baby lay,
sleeping in a dainty pearl cradle.

"She is as sweet and fair as a rose!" they exclaimed. "We will call her
Rose."

Now it happened that the king and queen had failed to invite a spiteful
and ill-tempered old witch. The old witch was very angry, because she
had not been invited to the party.