In a magnificent kingdom, renowned throughout the world for the beauty of its endless plains and mountain rivers, there lived a royal family. The king had a beloved daughter named Marie. The young princess spent her days gazing out the window and counting birds. She was very beautiful, and her room was adorned with exquisite mirrors in ornate frames.
Small and large, narrow and wide — mirrors were everywhere the princess Marie looked. But the beautiful princess had one great flaw — she was extremely lazy.
Princess Marie herself did nothing, but she was constantly surrounded by servants. The maid made the bed and fluffed the pillows, governesses prepared her clothes, and the finest court chefs prepared her meals. Marie didn't trouble herself even with the simplest tasks — she couldn't do her own hair or tidy her room.
The king was deeply concerned that his beloved daughter was growing up so lazy, and he often told her:
Marie, my dear, perhaps you shouldn't bother the servants with trifles. You yourself can do many of the things you ask them to do.
Father, am I not a princess?
Of course you are, my princess, you are my beloved and only daughter.
And shouldn't a princess do things for herself?
My girl, you can't be so lazy!
But the little princess paid no attention to what her father said, for she was convinced that she didn't know how to live any other way, and more importantly, she didn't want to. Her father warned her that such behaviour would not end well, but his words went unheeded.
One day Marie quarrelled with one of the servants:
Why did you tie such an ugly ribbon for me? Do it again!
Princess Marie, I've already changed your hairstyle three times. Isn't that enough?
How dare you speak to me that way? I'll tell father that you insulted me and he'll have your head cut off!
I ask you to apologize, Princess Marie.
What? Guards! Take her away!
I'll leave on my own, and you can tell your father everything, but believe me, you will regret your behaviour.
The servant left, and the princess couldn't believe that anyone would dare speak to her that way. She told her father everything, and the servant was banished from the palace. No one in the kingdom ever saw her again; it was as if she had never existed.
When Marie woke up the morning after that quarrel, she looked in the mirror as usual and recoiled in horror:
How can this be? What happened to my beauty? — the princess saw in the reflection not her own face, she was covered in warts and pimples, her skin was wrinkled, and her ears had grown.
At the princess's cries, the servants came running. Some laughed, some pointed, but all were amazed at such a transformation.
All the mirrors were removed from the room, and the princess stopped leaving her room.
Time passed, nothing changed. It came time to arrange a marriage for Marie. But none of the suitors were in a hurry to marry the changed princess, whereas before there had been no shortage of admirers. The king said to his daughter:
Don't worry, my dear, there will surely be someone who will love you not for your appearance!
But what else is there to love me for? — Marie replied, — I can't do anything!
Then you could learn to do something. What do you like to do?
I liked it when the governesses played the piano. I love listening to music!
And Marie decided to overcome her laziness and learn to play the piano herself. The king hired the best teachers for her, and day after day she made progress. But learning was very difficult for a girl who wasn't used to working hard. Mastering the complex art of piano playing was almost impossible for her.
But Marie promised herself that she would try, and soon she was giving her first concert. The entire court gathered for it, and among the guests Marie saw a lady who seemed very familiar to her. It was the very same servant who had been banished from the palace.
The lady watched Marie carefully. She saw how hard she tried to play the notes correctly, and even when she made mistakes, she didn't give up. After the concert ended, the lady approached the girl and said:
You have changed greatly, Marie.
Yes, I have lost my beauty. It seems to me that I have seen you before, but where could we have met?
I'm not talking about your beauty, my dear, but about your laziness and rudeness. They have disappeared without a trace.
I am trying to master the art of piano playing, which requires hard work.
You know, I think you will succeed, just don't abandon what you've started!
And the lady left the palace. The princess called after her:
Wait, where are you going? Where have we met before? How do I know your face?
The next morning, the princess went down to the classroom for lessons. But as soon as she opened the piano lid, she saw her former beautiful face reflected in it. The princess couldn't believe her eyes. She burst into tears and called for her father:
Father! Father! Bring me a mirror quickly!
My dear, what's wrong? You asked me to destroy all the mirrors! — said the King, approaching his daughter's room.
Someone, bring me a mirror!
Unexpectedly, a servant entered the room carrying a silver tray. The princess asked her for the tray and looked at her reflection in it. She wasn't mistaken! Her beauty had truly returned! The princess embraced and kissed the servant and her father. She was happier than she had ever been. And the king said that a prince had come to the palace to ask for her hand.
He came to you not because of your beauty. He has heard about your love of music and wants to teach you.
It can't be!
It's true, my beloved. I have already given my consent. Now all that remains is your word.
I agree!
The wedding took place very soon. Marie was happy that someone loved her not only for her beauty, but also for her talent. And at the wedding, she played her favourite musical composition on the piano!
