Fiction By Jocelyn Yong In the early autumn of the tenth year during their reign, a bright star hung in the sky above the kingdom, singing a melody when the King and Queen’s first child was born.
“Trump….trump….trump…..,” blew the trumpet, welcoming the newborn. Many villagers, the fairies and even the angels followed the star to see the child in the kingdom.
Gifts started pouring in from all over the land for the newborn princess: Gold coins, jewelries, diamonds…....
The innocent little princess just smiled each time the pink wild and fragrant roses were brought before her. For this reason, the Queen decided to call her name, Rosella.
In a span of two years, the Queen had also given birth to a pair of twin sisters, Ella and Bella.
With each passing year, the three princesses had grown up.
Rosella grew up, having red plum lips, rosy cheeks and smooth curly hair. A helpful and diligent princess she was, Rosella often helped her parents in ruling the kingdom.
Ella was on the other end of the world compared to Rosella. Her tangled hair and ragged clothes made her cry. She was called ‘The frightful manner shrew’.
On the other hand, Bella was as timid as a mouse. She would hide herself under the mattress whenever she heard a dog barking.
Rosella's 21st birthday was just around the corner. “I would hold a special birthday party to celebrate my beloved daughter’s birthday,” the King announced to his subjects in the palace.
Everyone worked hard to prepare for the big event. However, one person did not like the idea. Ella’s heart was filled with jealousy. “What! A birthday party! Why not mine?” Ella threw a tantrum.
Angry and resentful, she went to the Evil Witch’s tower and gave the witch a golden bar in return for a magic potion.
The night before the birthday party, Ella tiptoed into Rosella’s bedroom and sprinkled the enchanted potion on Rosella while she was sound asleep.
The next day was Rosella’s birthday. The brown olive leaves danced across the lawn. It was the first day of Autumn.
“Tik...tok….tik….tok” the clock struck 7. All the guests had started to arrive. Rosella was invited up to the stage. When she was about to start singing, the chickens’ feathers grew all over her body suddenly and she started cuckoo like a chicken.
“Oh...no..What has happened to me?” cried frightened Rosella. The audience burst into laughter, thinking that it was some fun game that had been planned. Feeling ashamed, Rosella ran away from the kingdom.
Visible in the sky was a crescent moon. In her despair, Rosella saw the moon tying some silver strings on its ends to look like a harp. Then, as if someone was playing the harp, came the beautiful music that attracted Rosella’s attention.
She walked into the woods by following the pace of the music and came across an oak tree. The cursed oak tree used its dry twigs to tie Rosella’s waist and swung her high into the air.
“Ah..Someone please he-help me…,” screamed Rosella at the top of her voice. Just then, a fairy saw the poor, helpless girl. Using her magic wand, she sprinkled some shiny dust. The tree’s twigs were broken and Rosella fell to the ground.
“Du-dump…,” Rosella dropped onto a soft and cozy ground. It was…..the home of the fairy!
“My dear, if you manage to fix the black hole in the sky, your wish will be granted,” offered the fairy. How Rosella wished she could return to her original look, and gain back her sweet voice. So, she promised the fairy.
Rosella spent three days and three nights knitting the hole. Finally, her hard work paid off. The fairy granted her wish and gave her an adorable baby dragon.
Thanking Rosella, the fairy transported her back home safely. Once she reached the palace’s door, the soldiers quickly reported to the King. “Your Highness! Princess Rosella is back! She is back!” There was excitement in the palace.
Rosella brought the little dragon to meet her parents. Her parents were too happy that she was back and immediately gave her a big hug.
While Rosella was telling them about her ‘adventures’, the dragon puft hard. Huff….puff….huff...puff….and twenty gold coins dropped onto the ground.
All of them were amazed!
A party was held by the King and Queen to celebrate the return of their Princess Rosella to the kingdom.
Rosella’s evil sister, Ella was turned into an ugly crow by the fairy to teach her a lesson. Ashamed, she flew away from the palace never to return.
At the party, the King and Queen crowned Rosella to be the new ruler of the kingdom. All the villagers cheered, “Hooray! Hooray! Hooray! Long live Queen Rosella!”
That night, it was a full moon. It looked like a drum in the sky. Rosella stayed up all night, just to listen to the loud drum from the sky above.
She saw a star brightest of all hanging above the sky. Rosella knew exactly who it was. To the star, Rosella’s smile was returned with a wink from the star.
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