Cautionary Tales: Royal Short Stories Series

Once upon a time, there lived a princess. She was very pretty, I must confess. With piercing blue eyes and long blond hair, you couldn’t help but stop and stare. Every day it was the same, people on the street would call her name. “Princess Laura, you have a lovely glow. What is your secret? We’d love to know.” “I’m sorry, but I can’t tell you,” she would say, “but I wish you all a pleasant day.” “Please tell us,” they would cry, but she would smile and say goodbye. Her beauty secrets she’d never tell, for she’d always be the city’s belle ... This rhyming cautionary tale looks at the pitfalls of vanity and pride. It is approximately 650 words.

Once upon a time, there lived a king. He was never content with anything. Every day he loved to complain. He seemed to enjoy being a pain. Breakfast time was an arduous affair. Whom he upset, he didn’t care. When the servants appeared, he would scratch his beard. “What is the meaning of this?” he would say. “My breakfast tastes awful. Take it away.” The servants knew not to argue with him. They chose to obey his every whim. Every day it was the same. On and on, the complaints came ... This rhyming cautionary tale looks at the pitfalls of greed. It is approximately 660 words.

Once upon a time, there lived a prince. He made the people cringe and wince. Prince David acted like he knew so much. The truth was he was out of touch. The decisions he made were never wise. The negative outcomes just grew in size. He saw no need to think things through. Thinking was hard. He didn’t want to. Every week he heard his advisers wail, “Failing to plan is planning to fail.” He brushed them off with a wave of his hand. He was too ignorant to understand. The prince ignored their advice. Conceit was his greatest vice ... This rhyming cautionary tale looks at the pitfalls of arrogance and conceit. It is approximately 670 words.

Once upon a time, there lived a queen. To the people, she was very mean. Queen Mary had a wicked streak. She caused them pain every week. She loved to see them suffer so she made their lives tougher. She spent her time thinking of ways to add more misery to their days. She imposed sanctions on the poor. She thought they should be punished more. Some of them struggled to buy food to eat. They relied on the food bank on the street. The elderly and sick were sent away from hospital beds every single day. Some of them lived and some of them died. Queen Mary smirked while their families cried. She never felt regret or shame. To her, it was all a game ... This rhyming cautionary tale looks at the pitfalls of malice. It is approximately 750 words.

Once upon a time, there lived a duke. He always gave his servants a stinging rebuke. Anything they did was never right. He barked at them with all his might. Some of them were reduced to tears. His angry voice rang in their ears. In the kitchen the servants agreed that the duke was a rude man indeed. They wished he wouldn’t shout at them. He was so eager to condemn. Mealtimes were a stressful affair. He roared at them without a care. “Where’s my lunch?” the duke shouted. He stamped his feet and pouted ... This rhyming cautionary tale looks at the pitfalls of anger and rage. It is approximately 650 words.

Once upon a time, there lived a duchess. She was very lazy, I must confess. She slept in bed for hours on end. She loved her sleep; she didn’t pretend. Every day it was the same; she huffed a sigh when morning came. “I need more sleep,” the duchess whined, as her mother opened a blind. “Stop being lazy,” her mother said. “It’s time for you to get out of bed.” The duchess sighed and began to groan. She wished her mother would leave her alone. She made a scowl; she was so upset. She was not ready to get up yet. “Come on, get up,” her mother said. “It’s time for you to get out of bed.” The duchess did as she was told. She knew her mother’s anger would unfold ... This rhyming cautionary tale looks at the pitfalls of laziness. It is approximately 1,000 words.

Once upon a time, there lived a countess. She was very naive, I must confess. She always trusted what people said and rarely questioned things in her head. The countess had a generous heart. Unfortunately, she wasn’t that smart. She always saw what she wanted to see and found a reason to smile with glee. She always heard what she wanted to hear and always found a reason to cheer. She always helped whenever she could. She loved to help; it made her feel good. When people needed her, she was there. She gave them her love and tender care. “Thank you for caring,” they would say. She would smile and go on her way. She always thought nothing of it. She felt she had to do her bit. She didn’t need their cheers and applause. She knew how privileged her life was. “You should be careful,” her friends would say. “People’s jealousy can get in the way. Not everyone has your interest at heart. Some are just waiting to tear you apart.” The countess ignored their sound advice. Being naive was her biggest vice. Her friends didn’t know what else to say. They knew she’d have to learn the hard way ... This rhyming cautionary tale looks at the pitfalls of gullibility and silliness. It is approximately 860 words.

Once upon a time, there lived an earl. Around him, ill feelings seemed to unfurl. He rubbed people the wrong way by being thoughtless every day. He had a habit of being curt. He didn’t care whose feelings he hurt. His wife and children had plenty to say. They felt his behaviour was not okay. The earl only cared about himself. He didn’t put his pride on the shelf. He believed that he was always right. He held on to this view every night. He always tried to force his will, and that was how things went downhill. Every week he argued with his wife. He felt that she caused him so much strife. Whatever she did, it was always wrong. His disapproval was always strong. “Why are you being like this?” she would say. “Can’t you be reasonable for just one day?” He’d look at her and shake his head. “Just do as I say,” was what he said. She’d bite her tongue and let things slide. She didn’t want to say something snide. The earl found it hard to understand why she couldn’t obey his command. As head of the house he got his way. He always had the final say ... This rhyming cautionary tale looks at the pitfalls of arrogance, overbearingness and stubbornness. It is approximately 850 words.