The Princess and the Pea
By Hans Christian Andersen Age Range- 4 - 6 years "The Princess and the Pea" is a classic fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen about a prince searching for a true princess. When a girl claiming to be a princess seeks shelter from a storm, the prince's mother devises a clever test involving a pea hidden beneath many mattresses.
What's the Story
"The Princess and the Pea" by Hans Christian Andersen tells the story of a prince seeking a true princess to marry. When a young woman arrives at the castle claiming to be a princess, the queen devises a test to determine her authenticity. The girl is given a bed for the night, with a single pea hidden beneath twenty mattresses and twenty feather beds. The next morning, the girl complains of a terrible night's sleep, proving her sensitivity to the pea and confirming her status as a genuine princess. Through its whimsical narrative and memorable characters, "The Princess and the Pea" explores themes of authenticity, perception, and the power of intuition.
Key Points from the Book
01.
The Search for a True Princess: The story begins with a prince's quest to find a genuine princess to marry. Kids will enjoy following the prince's journey as he encounters various princesses but struggles to determine their authenticity.
02.
The Arrival of the Mysterious Princess: On a stormy night, a young woman claiming to be a princess seeks shelter at the prince's castle. Kids will be intrigued by the arrival of this mysterious newcomer and wonder if she is indeed a true princess.
03.
The Queen's Test: To determine if the young woman is a real princess, the queen devises a clever test involving a pea placed under twenty mattresses and twenty feather beds. Kids will enjoy the suspense as they wait to see the outcome of the test.
04.
The Princess's Sensitivity: Despite the luxurious bedding, the princess reveals the next morning that she couldn't sleep a wink due to feeling something hard beneath the mattresses—a single pea. Kids will be amused by the princess's extreme sensitivity and how it proves her royal status.