This time only a couple of weeks had passed before the second task was addressed again. They were all having breakfast in the main hall. The king and the farm princess were discussing ways to protect their growing apple tree. The dainty princess scribbled notes that the counselors kept whispering to her. This was the time the bold princess felt the need to stand and speak up, halting all other actions so eyes could be on her.
“Your majesty,” The bold princess’ voice boomed with domineering confidence. “I have nearly finished what I have made. It will be ready to show you tomorrow evening. I assure you, it not only sounds beautiful but it is something that you have never seen before.”
The king nodded. “Very well. We shall see it tomorrow evening.”
With a triumphant smile, the bold princess sat down. Seeing that smile, the dainty princess arose. “I have something to show you for the second task as well, your highness. I know that I have yet to finish the first task, but if you will permit me, I can show you the second task tomorrow morning. I know that I still have to finish the first task. Yet if you allow me, may I show you the second task tomorrow morning.”
“There is an order to the tasks for a reason. For if you cannot find the light in the darkness of night, how can you distinguish between a beautiful truth, a beautiful trap, and a beautiful wish?” There was silence as everyone mulled over the king’s words. Yet the dainty princess did not sit down. The king took a deep breath. “Very well then, Your time is your own. I shall be ready to listen if you wish.” The king said slowly.
“I do your majesty, thank you.” The dainty princess caught the bold princess’ glare. Then the dainty princess shined a triumphant smile of her own before gliding away, the crowd of counselors following her. The bold princess stood up and ran off soon after. At the other end of the table, the farm princess who sat near the king was still mulling over his words.
“My king,” She called to him and he looked towards her. “What are the differences between a beautiful truth, a beautiful trap, and a beautiful wish? If they were visible to the eye with light, why do we need to hear them?”
The king smiled at her. “If we could only touch, we would only feel. If we could only see, we would only look. If we could only hear, we would only listen. Yet, that is not all we can do. We can do so much more when our bodies work together. Much like our bodies, when the kingdom is together, we are more. Even if one of us is weak, that leaves others to carry, showing strength beyond what has been seen, heard, or felt.”
The farm princess nodded. “So the beauty is not just in what we see or hear, but in what we do together.”
“Yes.” The king reached out to her and she hesitantly took his scarred hand. “The beauty is not in the thing but the simple action of being with you, with each other. Any other beauty is a diversion and twisted version of that. We cannot skim over that which is weak. That is a beautiful wish. Constantly trying to wish and beg for there to be no weakness, is like wishing for an endless summer. Enjoyable at first, but in the long run, it will burn everything. Nor can we only rely on that which is better. That is the beautiful trap. Chasing after better will only lead to a race to end or ruin. Yet at that point, the end will seem like the best option because continual chasing can wear anyone out. We must rely on each other as we are, strong or weak, if we want to be more than what only one can do.”
As the farm princess thought about the king’s words, she realized, “Yet if there is always a weakness, how is that beautiful? Why not just get rid of the weakness?”
“Many would call grass weak. Yet, I see dancers moving in the same way, gliding to and fro. They are not weak. Moreover, when a storm comes there is usually more grass than trees. Weakness does not mean being incapable. Weakness is a hand reaching out as grass reaches for the ground. What could be more beautiful than that?” The king squeezed her hand and she smiled in understanding.
“Then thank you for your hand, my king.” They finished their meal, hand in hand.
The next day, everyone was awoken by the sound of a piano. The continuing music was so beautiful that even the rooster was silent so it could listen. Everyone gathered in the main hall where there was a stage in the center of the room. On the stage was the dainty princess was playing the piano effortlessly. Her lithe fingers moved like deer in a field as the councilors played other instruments around her. The music grew and swelled before trailing off with the sound of a silverbell that the princess herself rang. After a beat of silence, the grand hall was filled with applause. The dainty princess stood and bowed before everyone, a triumphant smile on her face. Then the king approached her.
“You truly are gifted, princess.” The king commented. The dainty princess nodded her head in thanks. “Why is your piece as beautiful as a silver bell?” He asked.
“Because it has one in it.” She stated and gestured to the silver bell in her hand.
“And why is this,” with a wave of his hand the king made a small silver bell and rang it. Its pealing sound rang in the air just as the other did. “A beautiful sound?”
“Because it is not overpowering and yet it can stand on its own.” The dainty princess answered with the same confidence. The king nodded and patted her shoulder gently, before giving her the other bell.
“Thank you for your piece, princess. It was most certainly a gift.” With that, the king turned and went to enjoy his breakfast in the main hall. The dainty princess blinked, her confidence waning as she followed the king.
“Is, is that all, sir? Did I complete the second task?” She asked, leaving a trail of counselors behind her.
“Was your piece as beautiful as the silver bell?” The king asked back as he calmly sat down.
“Well, you have not said so.” The dainty princess huffed. The king looked at her.
“Close your eyes, my dear.” The dainty princess did as she was told. “If I told you the sky was blue does that make your eyes see blue right now?”
“Well, no sire. My eyes are closed.”
The king nodded at her observation though she could not see. “Then, if I told you your piece is beautiful, would you see it as beautiful?”
The dainty princess opened her eyes and mouth, but nothing came out. She looked back at her gaggle of counselors. Some encouraged her to speak others didn’t. She looked back at the king and his kind gaze. “Uh, thank you for your words, your majesty.” She finally muttered before curtsying. The king bowed his head back.
“You’re welcome. Beauty is hard to imagine with eyes closed and full ears.” With that, they ate breakfast along with the smiling bold princess and the farm princess.
Though again, later in the day, everyone was gathered in the grand hall. Instead of the dainty princess and her counselors on stage, it was the bold princess and a few of the servants surrounding a mighty drum with many bells and whistles on it. The moment the bold princess banged the drum, everyone stood at attention. In place of the thunderous sound of a drum, it sounded as if a thousand silver bells shook and rang. Their light peals twinkling like stars.
The princess continued playing a robust song and the servants either helped by playing a few of the instruments on the drum or dancing. Yet, it was still mainly the bold princess moving around trying to play as many of the instruments and beat the drum as much as she herself could. In doing so, as she ran to beat the drum, she ran into a dancer, who hit another musician, who hit another, and they all fell on the drum. It teetered before slowly tipping over.
“No!” the bold princess cried as she reached for the drum. In catching it, she pushed a few of the servants out of her way. Yet what she created was safe. “I mean, it’s fine, sire! I just have to play for you again.”
“No.” At the sternness of the king’s voice, the bold princess turned to see him picking up the fallen servants, including the ones she pushed. “That will be enough for tonight.”
“But I haven’t even gotten to the best part!” The bold princess pushed.
“Does the best part include pushing more of my servants to get where you want?” He asked lowly. The bold princess swallowed.
“I didn’t mean to, sir. They were just in the way.” Though that was her defense, it did not change the pained faces of the servants. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to.”
The king conjured a silver bell once again. “One of the reasons this bell creates such a beautiful sound is because it does not focus on moving things out of the way or getting the job done. Its sound moves with the player,” He shook it gently to emphasize his point. “It moves with the air. Its beauty is in its ability to harmonize and go with what is around it. The best part is not how it moves on but goes with. Can that be your best part right now?”
The bold princess opened her mouth but was unable to do anything but start to cry silently. The king caught her tears and put them in a vial. Then he gave them to her along with the bell. “Put this on your star. You may try again another time when you can see how to move with instead of through.” as she took the king’s gifts, he squeezed her shoulder gently. “You have a lion’s heart and their roars can travel far. Just be still enough to roar.”
That night, many people went to bed wondering and thinking of the king’s words. Including the farm princess. An idea popped into her head. She woke up before dawn and began to bake apple tarts with the kitchen staff. Then she awoke the other servants and asked for help to get the main hall ready for a banquet. Soon she awoke the other two princesses and the gaggle of counselors. At first, they were hesitant but the farm princess smiled.
“As he said, beauty is working with others. The grass reaches for the ground after a storm. So let’s work together, reach for the third task with each other.” She held out her hands and hesitantly, they took it. The farm princess beamed. “Come on!”
Soon the main hall was filled to the brim with food, particularly apple tarts. A melody of gentle piano music from graceful hands and twinkling drums played as the servants danced with the bold princess. The beautiful sound of laughter and music filled the air, awakening the king. He came down to such a festive affair. The joy of the feast only increased at his presence. He enjoyed it in the moment dancing, singing, and being with all of the people, his people. He even danced with the dainty princess who was as graceful as a butterfly in the air.
“You are a beautiful dancer.” He told her.
“That I am, and so are you, sire.” She smiled at him and he smiled back before going to dance with the bold princess. The bold princess adjusted to move with him and in the end, she stood still with him.
“Sire, thank you. For letting me move here, with you.” She said quietly but it was as clear as a bell. The king smiled and bowed his head.
“It is my pleasure. Are you ready to roar for food?” The bold princess nodded enthusiastically but waited for the king before they yelled that it was time to enjoy the delicious food on the tables.
As everyone went to the tables, the king searched for the last beautiful princess. She was helping everyone to the table. The king approached her and tapped her shoulder. “May I have this last dance?”
“But everyone is getting ready to eat?” The farm princess questioned, though she was already reaching for his hand.
“Well, then just a light sway.” He said as he took her in his arms.
“Like a jingling bell.” The farm princess joked and the king laughed. His laughter increased as the people at the table rang the bells on their seats. The farm princess smiled wistfully as she stared at the king. This time she began to caress his face. “That, my king is the sound more beautiful than a silver bell.”
“A choir of silver bells?” He chuckled as he looked at her. She shook her head.
“Your laughter.” She smiled at him. “How it moves with joy and makes your eyes shine. Making you laugh, your voice, your smile, it is the ground I need to withstand any storm. I am in your hands.” The king put his forehead to hers.
“And with all the joy I have, I am holding onto you.”
Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.” -Psalms 31:5 NKJV
Something Good 