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 of the window, 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 Marie looked. But the beautiful princess had one great flaw — she was extremely lazy.
Princess Marie did nothing for herself, but she was constantly surrounded by servants. A maid would make her bed and fluff her pillows, governesses would prepare her clothes, and the finest court chefs would cook her meals. Marie didn't trouble herself even with the simplest tasks — she couldn't style her own hair or tidy her room.
The king was deeply concerned that his beloved daughter was growing up so lazy, and he often said to her:
Marie, my dear, perhaps you shouldn't bother the servants with trifles. You could do many of these things yourself.
Papa, 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 her father's words, for she was convinced that she didn't know any other way to live, and more importantly, she didn't want to. Her father warned her that such behaviour would come to no good, but his words went unheeded.
One day Marie quarrelled with one of the servants:
Why have you tied such an ugly ribbon in my hair? Do it again!
Princess Marie, I've already changed your hairstyle three times. Isn't that enough?
How dare you speak to me like that? I'll tell Father, and he'll have your head cut off!
I must ask you to apologise, Princess Marie.
What? Guards! Take her away!
I'll leave of my own accord, 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 ever saw her again in the kingdom; 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 has happened to my beauty? — The princess saw not her own face in the reflection; she was covered in warts and pimples, her skin was wrinkled, and her ears had grown.
At the princess's screams, the servants came running. Some laughed, some pointed, but all were astonished at such a transformation.
All the mirrors were removed from her room, and the princess stopped leaving it.
Time passed, nothing changed, and it came time to find Marie a husband. But none of the suitors were eager to marry the transformed 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 about me? — Marie replied, — I can't do anything!
Then you could learn to do something. What do you enjoy doing?
I enjoyed listening to the governesses play the piano. I love 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 hard work; mastering the complex art of piano playing was almost impossible.
But Marie promised herself that she would try, and soon she gave her first concert. The entire court attended, and among the guests Marie saw a lady who seemed very familiar to her. It was the very servant who had been banished from the palace.
The lady watched Marie carefully, seeing 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 I have seen you before, but where could we have met?
I'm not speaking of your beauty, my dear, but of your laziness and rudeness. They have vanished 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 departed from the palace. The princess called after her:
Wait, where are you going? Where have we met before? Why does your face seem so familiar?
The next morning, the princess went down to the music room. 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:
Papa! Papa! 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 to borrow 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 has come to you not because of your beauty; he has heard of your love of music and wishes to teach you.
It can't be!
It's true, my beloved. I have already given my consent; now I need only your word.
I agree!
The wedding took place very soon. Marie was happy that someone had 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!
