Long ago, a king had twelve daughters. Every morning, he found something very strange – all their shoes were completely worn out! It looked like the girls had been dancing all night.
“Where did you go?” the king asked his daughters. But they just smiled and said they didn’t know what he meant.
This mystery drove the king crazy. He announced to everyone in the land: “Whoever can figure out where my daughters go at night can marry one of them and become a prince. But if you fail, you’ll be in big trouble.”
Many young men tried to solve the puzzle, but none of them could stay awake long enough to find out. They all failed.
Then one day, a soldier walked into town. He heard about the mystery and thought, “I can figure this out.” But he was smart – he made a secret plan.
That first night, the oldest princess brought him some wine to help him sleep. The soldier pretended to drink it, but he actually poured it out when she wasn’t looking. Then he pretended to fall asleep.
Late at night, the soldier heard the princesses getting up. He quietly followed them and watched as they opened a hidden door in their bedroom. Behind the door was a magical forest that sparkled like stars!
The princesses walked through the forest to a beautiful lake. A fancy boat was waiting for them. They climbed in and sailed across the water to a small island.
On the island stood the most amazing palace the soldier had ever seen. Inside, twelve handsome princes were waiting. Music started playing, and everyone began to dance!
The soldier watched from his hiding spot as the princesses danced and laughed until the sun started to come up. Then they hurried back home, which is why their shoes were always worn out.
The next night, the soldier followed them again. This time, an old woman had given him a magic cloak that made him invisible. He could get much closer and see everything clearly.
He discovered that the princesses were under a magic spell. They had to dance every night and couldn’t tell anyone about it.
On the third night, the soldier had an idea. While one princess was dancing, he tied a silver thread around her dress. When morning came, he had proof of where they’d been.
The soldier went to the king and told him everything. He showed him the silver thread as proof.
The king called his daughters to him. “Tell me the truth,” he said. Finally, the oldest princess explained about the magic spell that forced them to dance every night.
The brave soldier knew he had to help them. He went to the magical island and challenged the prince who had cast the spell. After a difficult battle, the soldier won and broke the curse forever.
When the princesses came home, they were free at last! No more dancing every night, no more worn-out shoes, and no more keeping secrets.
The king was so happy that he kept his promise. The youngest princess married the kind soldier, and they all lived happily together.
From that day on, the castle was filled with joy and laughter – the good kind that comes from being free and happy.
Lesson of the Story:
Sometimes the most curious people make the best discoveries. When we ask questions and look for answers, we might find something wonderful waiting for us.
Being brave enough to help others, like the soldier helped the princesses, can make everyone’s life better.