Princess Aurora of Emery: The Curse of the Spinning Wheel
Once, in a far-off Kingdom named Emery, there reigned a benevolent king named Arnold. King Arnold was loved by his subjects and admired for his knack for justice and compassion. His only sorrow was his childlessness. Thus, he and his queen, Selena, often prayed for a child.
One day, a beggar came to the royal court and asked for alms. For his generosity, King Arnold granted the beggar more than what he asked for. Moved by the king's kindness, the beggar who was actually a wizard in disguise, gave them a wish-granting emerald seed. The king planted the seed, and as days went on, a great, robust tree sprouted, from which emerged a precious golden apple.
Consuming this miraculous apple, Queen Selena fell pregnant. Nine months later, they were blessed with a daughter so beautiful and radiant that they named her Aurora, meaning 'dawn'. Aurora grew up to be a benevolent, brave, and intelligent princess.
When Aurora turned 18, the kingdom celebrated her birthday with grandeur. However, the wicked witch, Ethel, was unaware of the celebration. Furious for being left out, Ethel cursed Aurora, declaring that before sunset on her 21st birthday, she would prick her finger on a spinning wheel's spindle and die.
Fearing for their only child, the desperate king and queen sought the help of their kingdom's fairies. Selera, the eldest of the fairies, couldn't break Ethel's curse, but she could alter it. She promised that Aurora would not die but fall into a deep sleep, only to be awoken by true love's kiss. King Arnold, seeking to save his daughter, ordered the burning of all spinning wheels in Emery.
Years passed, and Princess Aurora grew into a lovely young woman. She was loved by everyone for her beauty, grace, and wisdom. As her 21st birthday approached, the joyous kingdom prepared to celebrate.
On her birthday, Aurora chanced upon an old spinning wheel in the castle's attic, hidden away for many years. Out of curiosity, she tried to spin the wheel, and as Ethel's curse predicted, she pricked her finger and collapsed in a deep sleep.
Every living creature in the kingdom fell asleep with her, waiting for the day when true love's kiss would awaken them again.
Years later, a brave prince from a far-off land, Prince Emeric, arrived. Hearing of the cursed Princess Aurora, he courageously entered the sleeping kingdom, reaching the castle where Aurora lay in eternal slumber. He found her breathtakingly beautiful. Something in her moved him intensely, and he felt an irresistible pull towards her. He tenderly kissed Aurora, remembering the tales of true love's kiss.
As if by magic, the princess' eyes fluttered open, and as she woke, so did every other creature in the kingdom. The spell was broken. Aurora's love for her brave rescuer blossomed, and they decided to get married, marking the beginning of a new era filled with joy and love. Witch Ethel's curse had been defeated by true love's power, reassuring every heart that love always, indeed, conquers all.