Princess & The Pea

[curiosity]

Hi It is years since I heard this story, and one of the young people I work with asked me what it was about. I recalled a princess stranded at a castle, getting a bed for the night, the queen putting a pea under a host of mattresses, and the princess complaining about an uncomfortable night. Then someone said I thought it was because she didn't complain, and someone else said there were lots of potential princesses. I could buy the book, but a general overview would be helpful. Thanks

[kempie]

"Nobody but a real princess could have such a delicate skin"

The Story 

[curiosity]

Thank you Kempie!!!!!

[mycatis]

God I love this story, it was one of my favourites as a child, I can still see the beautiful pictures from the copy I used to have, thanks for making me smile this morning. :-)

[mycatis]

Just looked at the link kempie gave, that is just a short version, there were lots of princesses, but she was the only one who felt it. She turned up in the middle of a storm and didn't look like a princess

[kaktus]

Mycatis - Kempie's link is exactly right except for being in English of course ;0) The only princesses other than the princess, is the references to how the prince couldn't find one that was right for him. My source is the complete H.C. Andersen, thankfully the story is so short that I could  check every single sentence:)

[jno]

slightly off topic, but Edmund Dulac (in kempie's link) was one of the great illustrators a century ago; his work is always worth seeking out.

[mycatis]

Sorry, my mistake then, I had the Ladybird book as a child. They must have added bits to make it longer.

[spudqueen]

mycatis - I think Ladybird did that with a few fairy tales. I had the Ladybird Cinderella book and in that she goes to three balls at the palace on consecutive nights, each in a different dress (I think they were pink, blue and silver).

[curiosity]

I also remember the ladybird book story I think, I'm going to have a trip to Waterstones, cos I think I remember other "princesses" sleeping in the bed, again, it's a bit of a blur. Thanks everyone ... that's what I like about this site, things make me smile as well Mycatis.

[Kingaroo]

There is a funny musical based on this tale called "Once upon a mattress."  The prince is so in love with the princess that he piles all kinds of hardware under her mattress just in case she doesn't feel the pea.