Princess Pingyang
By: Genevie Marsha Tan & Kang Jia Ying
An adaptation from The Warrior Princess by Anantika ChoudhuryDuring the Tang Dynasty, there lived a princess named Pingyang. Unlike
other princesses — she was not ladylike, and she did not like playing with dolls or
being poised and elegant. She liked playing with swords, and she practised every
day to become a warrior.
One day, Pingyang sneaked into the training arena, but she was caught by
the guard. The guard told her that she should not enter the training arena as it
was a place for men, not for women. A princess should not play with the swords.
She was supposed to be courteous, elegant and poised. He reminded Pingyang that
a princess does not nag, brag, sweat, fret, slip or trip. A princess always has her
shoulders back and tummy in, breathes gently, steps lightly, smiles brightly and
nods politely. However, no matter how many times the guard kept reminding
Princess Pingyang, she was still determined to become a warrior. She continued to
join sword-fighting lessons.