**Please use your own judgement before sharing these stories with children. Although I do my best to keep the language friendly, the content may not be everyone’s cup of tea.

Summary

A King in deep mourning over his wife’s passing meets a grieving widow and the two marry.

The new queen has a daughter, Turritella, who is ill tempered and ugly. She is the polar opposite of the king’s daughter Fiordelisa.

When the king announces it is time for the princesses to marry, his wife insists that her daughter should be first. When a suitor arrives, she goes to all lengths to be sure Turritella should be presented in splendor while Fiordelisa would not.

Nevertheless, the suitor, King Charming, is immediately taken with Fiordelisa.

The Queen and her daughter have redouble their efforts and have her locked in a tower for the remainder of his visit. They then trick King Charming into proposing to Turretella.

The newly engaged couple leave to be married at the castle of the fairy Mazilla, Turritella’s godmother. It is there that King Charming learns the truth, and refusing to marry Turritella, is turned into a blue bird.

Furious with this outcome, the queen and Turritella again turn their attention to making Fiordelisa’s life miserable.

Still trapped in the tower, Fiordelisa laments her sorry lot.

One day, there is a response to her lamentations and discovers a bluebird outside of her window.

In time she learns this is King Charming and he tells her all that has transpired. The two spend many hours in each others company. They talk throughout the night, and during the day the bluebird king flies to his palace to retrieve beautiful gifts for Fiordelisa.

Again the Queen and Turritella turn their attention to Fiordelisa, and discover her collection of jewels. Determined to find their source, the queen sets a maid to spy on the princess, which almost leads to the bluebird’s demise.

Fortunately, King Charming’s friend, the Enchanter, finds him at just the right moment and restores him to health, and eventually, through negotiation with Mazilla, to his human form.

Fiordelisa, meanwhile, inherits her father’s kingdom. The new queen then sets out to find her true love. With the help of a kind fairy and her own wits she is reunited with King Charming, and they live happily ever after!

Questions or Comments?

Email: StoriesWeLoveToTell@gmail.com

Or Fill out this Google Form

Book

The Grey Fairy Book by Andrew Lang

Music

"Princess (Instrumental Version)" by Josh Woodward.

Free download: https://www.joshwoodward.com/