Принцесса на горошине

           OncetherewasaPrincewhowantedtomarryaPrincess. Onlyarealonewoulddo. Sohetraveledthroughalltheworldtofindher,andeverywherethingswentwrong. TherewerePrincessesaplenty,buthowwashetoknowwhethertheywererealPrincesses? Therewassomethingnotquiterightaboutthemall. Sohecamehomeagainandwasunhappy,becausehedidsowanttohavearealPrincess. 

           Oneeveningaterriblestormblewup. Itlightenedandthunderedandrained. Itwasreallyfrightful!Inthemidstofitallcameaknockingatthetowngate. TheoldKingwenttoopenit. 

           WhoshouldbestandingoutsidebutaPrincess, andwhatasightshewasinallthatrainandwind. Waterstreamedfromherhairdownherclothesintohershoes,andranoutattheheels. YetsheclaimedtobearealPrincess. 

           "We’llsoonfindthatout,"theoldQueenthoughttoherself. Withoutsayingawordaboutitshewenttothebedchamber, strippedbackthebedclothes,andputjustonepeainthebottomofthebed. Thenshetooktwentymattressesandpiledthemonthepea. Thenshetooktwentyeiderdownfeatherbedsandpiledthemonthemattresses. UpontopofallthesethePrincesswastospendthenight. 

           Inthemorningtheyaskedher,"Didyousleepwell?" 

           "Oh!"saidthePrincess. "No.Iscarcelysleptatall. Heavenknowswhat’sinthatbed. IlayonsomethingsohardthatI’mblackandblueallover. Itwassimplyterrible." 

           TheycouldseeshewasarealPrincessandnoquestionaboutit, nowthatshehadfeltonepeaallthewaythroughtwentymattressesandtwentymorefeatherbeds