princesses
My mother is thrilled when I get the position at the castle, though a mother’s pride is likely the only thrill that accompanies a position as a castle maid. Of course, she will tell her friends that I work at the castle and leave the maid part out entirely.
On my first day the head maid takes me on a tour and it is somewhat thrilling. The castle itself is grand and sprawling and I can see why they need such a large staff. The head maid tells me as we walk that I will be assigned to certain rooms and I will likely never see much of the rest of the castle again. I will rarely, if ever, see the king.
The courtyards are lush and green, dotted with fountains and sculptures, and around the edges there are strange large urns, each painted a bright, cheerful color.
What are those? I ask my guide, moving to point but she grabs my hand and shakes her head, looking over her shoulder before leaning to whisper in my ear.
That’s where he puts the princesses when he’s finished with them.
I start to smile, thinking it a joke, but her expression stays serious and somber as we walk by urn after urn, yellow and purple and pink.
About flax-golden tales. Photo by Carey Farrell. Text by Erin Morgenstern.
10 Comments
sari · February 17, 2012 at 9:36 am
I love how I never know what to expect when I read these little stories! Terrific. 🙂
brianne · February 17, 2012 at 10:07 am
I love how you left me wanting more! What a mysterious tale! Happy Friday, Erin!
Jayne Hannah · February 17, 2012 at 11:14 am
I’m running to the brightest pink urn to see if I can release the Princess.
LOVE IT!
Juliette · February 17, 2012 at 1:37 pm
One of my favorite of your tales! Left me wanting to know more – happy weekend, Erin!
Vera Soroka · February 17, 2012 at 7:30 pm
This story was unexpected when I saw the urns. I love that about your stories!
IB · February 17, 2012 at 9:29 pm
Better a castle maid than a princess!
Marcheline · February 18, 2012 at 8:52 am
Like, I totally knew there were princesses in there.
*snort*
Another Erin M. · February 20, 2012 at 9:15 pm
I think Lady Mary may have narrowly escaped being locked in a pastel coloured urn. Good riddance to Sir Richard!
Veronica · February 20, 2012 at 11:55 pm
After watching the last five hours of Downton Abbey last night that was the first thought I had too!
Babak · February 23, 2012 at 1:14 pm
“…perhaps all the dragons of our lives are princesses who are only waiting to see us once beautiful and brave. Perhaps everything terrible is in its deepest being something helpless that wants help from us.”
R.M Rilke
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