THERE was once a little princess who—
"But Mr. Author, why do you always write about princesses?"
"Because every little girl is a princess."
"You will make them vain if you tell them that."
"Not if they understand what I mean."
"Then what do you mean?"
"What do you mean by a princess?"
"The daughter of a king."
"Very well, then every little girl is a princess, and there would be no need to say anything about it, except that she is always in danger of forgetting her rank, and behaving as if she had grown out of the mud. I have seen little princesses behave like children of thieves and lying beggars, and that is why they need to be told they are princesses. And that is why when I tell a story of this kind, I like to tell it about a princess. Then I can say better what I mean, because I can then give her every beautiful thing I want her to have."
"Please go on."
There was once a little princess whose father was king over a great country full of mountains and valleys. His palace was built upon one of the mountains, and was very grand and beautiful. The princess, whose name was Irene, was born there, but she was sent soon after her birth, because her mother was not very strong, to be brought up by country people in a large house, half castle, half farmhouse, on the side of another mountain, about half-way between its base and its peak...
When I was a little girl I was not into dolls or dresses or anything remotely like princesses. I just didn't seem to care about any "girly" thing. According to my mom, I liked to draw and I liked to run around and be a "little monkey." However, after reading the "Princess and the Goblin" and having my eyes widened to this great world I see. what. the. princess. thing. is. about.
Like a poet, I know I cannot quite put it into words, but, it's something about being lovely. A daughter of a king ought to be lovely simply on basis of being the king's daughter, shan't she? If she is not, as George MacDonald says, she will at least need to hear these things about herself so that she might start to grow into truly having this quality. I shy away from saying thing like "I am a daughter of a KING," (really the King of Creation) and yet when I find myself aware of this my whole being changes. I begin to act it because I begin to believe it...and that is what being a princess is about.
Psalm 21:1-6 (King changed to princess)
"O LORD in your strength the princess will be glad
And in your salvation how greatly she will rejoice!
You have given her her heart's desire,
And you have not withheld the requests of her lips. Selah
For you meet her with the blessings of good things,
You have set a crown of fine gold on her head.
She asked life of you
You gave it to her,
Length of days forever and ever
Her glory (through Jesus) is great through your salvation,
Splendor and majesty you place upon her.
For you make her joyful with gladness in your presence."