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(Lars) #1
One night, the king turned to his son
and said, “My prince! I am old, and it is
important to me that you have a family of
your own before I die. Go and unlock the
tallest tower with this key. At the top of the
tower stairs, you will find a room that is
filled with enchanted portraits. Choose one
of the princesses that you see in the portraits
to be your bride.”
The curious prince obeyed his father and
found everything to be just as the king had
said. He was amazed to see that the princesses
in the paintings moved and gestured to him
as if they were alive. The prince walked from
portrait to portrait, and as he did, he realized
that each princess was more beautiful than
the one before her. As he stared at the lovely
maidens, he thought, “Since all I can judge is their beauty, I will pick the
last princess, who is surely the loveliest of all!” He walked toward the final
painting, which was covered with a dusty cloth, and resolutely pulled the

MANY YEARS AGO, a Bohemian king and
queen, who were known for their kindness
and love of justice, ruled over a peaceful
kingdom. In time they had a son, whom they
raised to be a noble and brave prince. When
the prince was a young man, his mother died,
leaving him alone with his aging father.


TA LL, WIDE,


and


Piercing Eyes


Illustrated by Del Thorpe
text © 2019 by Ariane Sroubek, art © 2019 by Del Thorpe

A Czech Fairytale
Retold by Ariane Sroubek

ABOHEMIAN IS FROM A
REGION OF THE CZECH
REPUBLIC CALLED BOHEMIA.

WOW! IS THAT A
COINCIDENCE, OR
WHAT? 33
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