The Tale of Two Princesses

The Tale of Two Princesses

The little girl crawled up on her daddy’s lap.  He was a perfect fit for her, as she nestled her head into his chest she whispered, tell me a story Daddy.   He laughed softly as he smoothed her long blonde hair. 

I’ll tell you a story honey.  There once were twin princesses (Bliss and Priss) born in a powerful kingdom called Judah.  The King loved his daughters dearly; they were beautiful and smart and loved to laugh.  He loved them so much that he divided up his kingdom and gave them each a large share.   

When the princesses were old enough the father gave them his signet ring and sent them out to rule their share of the Kingdom.  The sisters were delighted of course, to have all the benefits of ruling a Kingdom.   As time wore on, the Princesses lives became very busy and Priss saw the King less and less while Bliss continued to travel in and out of the Kingdom in order to see her father, the King.  She sat with him and learned from him and sought to model his ways to those she ruled over.

The King continued to rule his Kingdom well, but adversity rose up against Him and the Princesses were forced into battle beside their father.   Their legions of loyal soldiers combined to give them great strength. They had great faith in their father to lead them all and in the face of the terror of an attacking enemy they were still giggling sisters with full confidence in victory.  However, in a cruel twist of fate the Father was killed in the battle by a stray arrow.  Victory was still won by the Judah Kingdom but the sisters had lost a Father and the Kingdom had lost a King. 

The princesses returned back to their palaces to rule in honor of their father, no longer as Princesses but now as Queens. Queen Bliss loved her people well.  She led them as her father had for generations before her, with honor, love and joy in her Father’s legacy.  Her reputation for love and justice grew as she became older and wiser. 

Queen Priss returned to her palace fearful and angry.  She ruled her palace out of fear, teaching others that they must protect themselves with whatever means necessary.  She built large walls around her part of the Judah Kingdom and encouraged her subjects to trust no one.  She grew more and more distant from her sister as the walls between them grew larger and larger. 

 Soon her walls around her share of the Kingdom prevented her sister from even being able to visit.  Queen Bliss was locked out of her sister’s life.  She walled off all contact with her twin sister and ruled her Kingdom with an iron fist, driven by the fear of losing someone else, she choose to love no one. 

Meanwhile Queen Bliss’ Kingdom grew and grew.  Her love was on display for all to see and smaller kingdoms were drawn to her because of her deep care for her people.  She took in all who sought out her protection and wished to join the Kingdom.  One day Queen Bliss decided she must see her sister and so she sent word for them to please let her through the heavily guarded walls of Queen Priss’ Kingdom. 

Queen Priss refused, believing that Bliss was somehow trying to steal her Kingdom.  Queen Bliss journeyed on and made it through the outer walls of the Kingdom only to discover that all the people had moved in behind yet another wall.  Her sister’s Kingdom was growing smaller and smaller, the towering wall blotted out the sun for most of the day and armed guards roamed the walls searching for any intruders.  Keeping intruders out as well as keeping her subjects locked in. 

Queen Bliss called out to the guards; take me to your queen. 

The heavily armored guards took her into the Palace.  Queen Bliss spoke with the head guard.

Don’t you recognize me?  I am your queen’s twin sister, Queen Bliss.  The head guard replied that he did not recognize her at all, she looked nothing like Queen Priss.

The head guard sent word to Queen Priss that they had captured a trespasser who was claiming to be her sister. 

Clearly he did not believe it.

Queen Priss arrived behind her guards and Queen Bliss ran to her with great love and expectation to see her long lost sister, but suddenly she stopped and looked at Queen Priss…

You are not my sister, she said as she looked at the woman in front of her.  Queen Priss’ face was haggard, deep circles under her eyes, pale skin from lack of sunlight, frown marks scarred her forehead and her lips were pursed and thin. 

And you are not my sister, for my sister was my twin and you look nothing like me.  You are younger and much lovelier than I.  My Sister and I are identical and we were terribly robbed of our Father by an evil neighboring Kingdom.  We have been viciously stalked for years by neighboring kingdoms and had to work constantly to keep from losing any part of our Kingdom.  I have been trapped in this palace for twenty years without seeing sunlight out of fear for my very life. 

Princess Bliss replied, you are right I am not your sister, for I was fortunate to have a wonderful Father for 20 years, to inherit a beautiful Kingdom and to grow it with love as my Father had.  That love has kept my heart open, my face free from worry and instilled honor and justice into my Kingdom.   Any pain I have experienced has propelled me to love others better, while you have allowed your pain to define your existence and to shrink your Kingdom and your heart. 

Queen Bliss held her arms out and said simply, return to the ways of our Father.  Queen Priss simply looked at her sister and replied, this is the only way I know and with that she turned and walked away.  Surrounded by her guards and locked in her Kingdom she grew old much to fast. 

Queen Bliss returned to her Kingdom which grew lovelier with each passing year.  She grew wiser and stronger and established a Kingdom that would one day rule the world with truth and justice. 

On occasion she would nostalgically wish for the Sister that had laughed with her and sang with her when they were younger but she knew that all must make their own choice and as for her Queen Bliss, she would choose joy for herself and her Kingdom. 

The End…said the Daddy.  The little girl sat quietly contemplating the story and then simply said…I choose joy too, and with that she hopped off her Daddy’s lap and skipped off to play with her brother on the swing.