The Sleeping Beauty

Once upon a time there were a King and a Queen who were very sad because they had no children: sad beyond words. But at long and at last a daughter was born to them, and the kingdom was filled with joy.

The King held a great Christening feast, and to it he invited all the Fairies who were in his kingdom at that time - there were seven of them - hoping that each would give the Princess a magic gift, as was the custom of Fairies in those days.

At the great feast each Fairy found in her place a beautiful golden casket that held a knife, fork and spoon, also of gold, but set with diamonds. But suddenly, as they were all sitting at the table, the door flew open and in hobbled a very old Fairy who had not been invited. It was fifty years since anyone had seen her, and she had been so silent in her tower in the forest all this time that everyone believed that she must be dead or enchanted.

Then it was the old Fairy's turn, and hobbling forward, her head shaking with malice as much as with age, she screeched: "Princess, you shall prick your hand with a spindle, and die!"