Obj: to recognise human qualities and gifts

Myself When you were younger, you may have heard the story of the Sleeping Beauty or seen the film or cartoon.

Gifts for the baby Once upon a time, there was a king and queen who longed to have a baby. When, at last, they had a baby daughter, they thought a good fairy had been looking after them.

“I’ll invite them all to the christening,” said the King. And he did. After the feast, the twelve fairies gathered round the cradle of the baby princess. Each gave the baby a gift.

“You shall have beauty of face,” said the first. “You shall have beauty of heart and be gentle and loving,” said the next. “You shall be wise,” said another. “My gift to you is generosity,” said the next. One by one, they promised the little princess all the good qualities that would make her loved and loving.

Just as the eleventh fairy stepped away from the cradle, a furious shout came from the doorway. “I suppose you thought I was too old and useless to invite,” the voice shouted. Everyone looked round to see a very old fairy walking slowly towards the cradle. Everyone had forgotten her and she had not been invited.

“When the princess is fifteen years old,” she said, “she shall prick her finger on a spindle and fall down dead.” She looked around at the stunned guests and hobbled away from the palace. The King and Queen were horrified. “I had just forgotten her,” the King said, “Whatever shall we do now?”

“Don’t worry,” said the twelfth fairy. “I can’t undo the bad spell, but I can protect the princess. She will prick her finger on a spindle, but she will not die. She will just fall asleep for a hundred years. Someone will come to set her free.”

The King and Queen were grateful, but they were taking no chances The King and Queen were grateful, but they were taking no chances. They ordered that all spindles in the land were to be destroyed.

Key questions What were some of the good qualities that the fairies gave as gifts? What do you think the other fairies gave the baby? What would you want to give the baby?

Talk with your partner…. Can you think of another story in which the main character possesses or is given special qualities of mind and heart? Is there anyone alive today who you think possesses special qualities of mind and heart? Who, and what are the qualities?