Music Welcome to Snewscast, the podcast designed to help you fall asleep. Find us on snoozecast.com and if you would like to get an email once a week with upcoming sleep stories and

other news, subscribe to the snooze letter at snoozecast.com. This episode is brought to you by Love Letters. Tonight we'll read a snooze cast adapted version of the story, Princess Minon Minette, found in the Pink Fairy Book edited by Andrew Lang.

This episode first aired back in 2021. Originally found in the Library of Genius and Fairies, this story was written by French aristocrat and writer of the late 1600s, Madame Des Mursat. She published many stories that she first debuted at the fashionable literary salons of her time and was considered one of the leaders of the fairy tale Vogue. After several years of success and recognition, Madame de Mierat was imprisoned and then exiled, being accused of debauchery and shocking practices and beliefs. Although she failed at an attempt to escape, wearing the disguise of men's clothing, she did continue to write her body of works for several years after that. Let's get cozy. Close your eyes.

Relax your body into the softness of your bed.

Now, take a few deep breaths. Once upon a time there lived a young king whose name was awkward or in French, Suzy. And he had been brought up ever since he was a baby by the fairy named Fickel, or in French, J'irouette. Now the Fickel fairy had a kind heart, but she was a very trying person to live with, for she never knew her own mind for two minutes together, and as she was the sole ruler at court till the prince grew up, everything was always disordered and confusing. At first, she determined to follow the old custom of keeping the young king ignorant of the duties he would have to perform someday. Then, quite suddenly, she resigned the reins of government into his hands, but, unluckily, it was too late to train him properly for the post. However, the fairy did not think of that, but carried away by her new ideas. She hastily formed a council, and named as Prime Minister, the excellent politician, referred to as Tito, so called because he had never been known to contradict anybody. One print sock word had a handsome face and at the bottom a good deal of common sense, but he had never been taught good manners and was shy and had, besides, never learned how to use his mind. Under these circumstances it is not surprising that the council did not get through much work. Indeed, the fares of the country fell into such disorder that at last the people broke out into open rebellion, and it was only the courage of the king who continued to play the flute while swords and spears were flashing before the palace gate that prevented civil war from being declared. No sooner was the revolt put down, then the council turned their attention to the question of the young king's marriage. Various princesses were proposed to him and the fairy, who was anxious to get the fair over before she retired and left the court forever, gave it as her opinion that the princess Dayafana would make the most suitable wife. Accordingly, envoys were sent to bring back an exact report of the princess's looks and ways. And they returned saying that she was tall and well-made, but so very light that the attendants who accompanied her in her walks had to be always watching her, unless she should suddenly be blown away. This had happened so often that her subjects tried everything they could think of to keep her to the ground. They even suggested that she should carry weights in her pockets or have them tie to her ankles. But this idea was given up, as the princess found it so uncomfortable. At length it was decided that she was never to go out in the wind, and in order to make matters sure or still, the attendants each held the end of a string, which was fast end to her waste. The council talked over this report for some days, and then the king made up his mind that he would judge for himself, and pretend to be his own ambassador. This plan was by no means new, but it had often succeeded, and anyhow, they could think of nothing better. Such a splendid embassy had never before been seen in any country. The kingdom was left in the charge of the prime minister, who answered diddo to everything, but the choice was better than it seemed, for the worthy man was much beloved by the people, as he agreed with all they said, and they left him feeling very pleased with themselves and their own wisdom. When the king arrived at Dayafina's court, he found a magnificent reception awaiting him, for, though they pretended not to know who he was, secrets like this are never hidden. Now, the young king had a great disliked for long ceremonies, so he proposed that his second interview with the princess should take place in the garden. The princess made some difficulties of this request, but as the weather was lovely and very still, she at last consented to the king's wishes. But no sooner had they finished their first boughs and curtsies than a slight breeze sprung up and began to sway the princess whose attendance had retired out of respect. The king went forward to steady her, but the wind that he caused only drove her further away from him. He rushed after her, exclaiming, oh princess, are you really running away from me? Good gracious, no," she replied. Run a little quicker and you'll be able to stop me, and and I shall be forever grateful. That is what comes of talking in a garden. She added, in disgust, As if one wasn't much better in a room that was tightly closed all around. The king ran as fast as he could, But the wind ran still faster, and in a moment the princess was world to the bottom of the garden, which was bounded by a ditch. She cleared it like a bird, and the king, who was obliged to stop short at the edge, saw a lovely diiafina flying over the plane in the air, sometimes driven to the right, sometimes to the left, till at last she vanished out of sight. By this time the whole court were running over the plane, some on foot and some on horseback, all hurrying to the help of their princess, who really was in some danger, for the wind was rising to the force of a gale. The king looked on for a little and then returned with his attendence to the palace, reflecting all the while on the extreme lightness of his proposed bride, and the absurdity of having a wife that rose in the air better than any kite. He thought on the whole that it would be wise or not to wait longer, but to depart at once, and he started on horseback at the very moment when the princess had been found by her followers. King awkward met the carriage which was bringing her home and stopped to congratulate her on her escape. Then he continued his journey. It took a good while for the king to get home again. His courteers made fun at his adventure and he did not like being laughed at, though of course they did not dare to do it before his face. And the end of it was that very soon he started on his travels again and wouldn't allow any attendance to accompany him. Now it was the custom in those days for princes and princesses to be brought up by fairies, who loved them as their own children, and did not mind what inconvenience they put other people to for their sakes, for all the world as if they had been the real mothers. The fairy Aveline, who lived in a country that touched at one point the kingdom of King awkward, had under her care the lovely princess sweetheart, known by her French name Minon Minette, and had made up her mind to marry her to the young king, who, in spite of his awkward manners, which could be improved, was really very much nicer than most of the young men she was likely to meet. So Aveline made her preparations accordingly, and began by arranging that the attendance should lose himself in the forest, after which she took away the king's sword and his horse, source while he lay asleep under a tree. Her reason for this was that she felt persuaded that finding himself suddenly alone and robbed of everything. The king would hide his real birth and would have to fall back on his powers of pleasing, like other men, which would be much better for him. When the king awoke and found that the tree to which he had tied his horse had its lowest branch broken, and that nothing living was in sight, he was much dismayed, and sought high and low for his lost treasure, but all in vain. After a time he began to get hungry, so he decided that he had better tried to find his way out of the forest, and perhaps he might have a chance of getting

something to eat. He had only gone a few steps when he met Aveline, who had taken the shape of an old woman with a heavy bundle of sticks on her back. She staggered along the path and almost fell at his feet.

And Suzie, the awkward, afraid that she might have hurt herself, picked her up and set her on her feet again before passing on his way. But he was not to be left off so easy. What about my bundle?

Cryed the old woman?

Where's your politeness?

Really?

You... off so easy. What about my bundle? Cryed the old woman? Where's your politeness? Really? You seem to have been very nicely brought up? What if they taught you? Tought me. Nothing. Replied he? I can well believe it. She said. You don't know even how to pick up a bundle? Oh, you can come near. I am cleverer than you, and know how to pick up a bundle very well. The king blushed at her words, which he felt had a great deal of truth in them, and took up the bundle, meekly. Aveline, delighted at the success of her first experiment, hobbled along after him, chattering all the while. I wish, she said, that all kings had done as much once in their lives, then they would know what a lot of trouble it takes

to get wood for their fires.

Suzy, the awkward, felt this to be true, and was sorry for the old woman. Where are we going to? He asked as he carried her bundle. To the castle of the white demon, and if you are in want of work, I will find you something to do. But I can't do anything, he said, except carry a bundle, and I shant to earn much by that. Oh, you are learning! Reply the old woman, and it isn't bad for a first lesson. But the king was paying very little attention to her, for he was exhausted. Indeed, he felt that he really could not carry the bundle any farther. It was about to lay it down when up came a young maiden more beautiful than the day and covered with precious stones. She ran to them, exclaiming to the old woman, oh you poor thing, I was just coming after you to see if I could help you. Here is a young man, replied the old woman, who will be quite ready to give you up the bundle. You see, he does not look as if he enjoyed carrying it. "'Will you let me take it, sir?' she asked. But the king felt ashamed of himself and held on to it tightly, while the the presence of the princess put him in a better temper. So they all traveled together till they arrived at a very ordinary looking house, which Aveline pointed out as a castle of the white demon and told the King that he might put down his bundle in the courtyard. The young man was terribly afraid of being recognized by someone in this strange position, and would have turned on his heel and gone away had it not been for the thought of Princess sweetheart. Still, he felt very awkward and lonely for both the Princess and the old woman had entered the castle without taking the slightest notice of the young man, who remained where he was for some time, not quite knowing what he had better do. At length a servant arrived and led him up into a beautiful room filled with people who were either playing on musical instruments or talking in a lively manner, which astonished the King, who stood silently listening, and not at all pleased at the lack of attention paid him. Matters went on this way for some time. Every day, the King fell more and more in love with sweetheart, and every day the princess seemed more and more taken up with other people. At last, in despair, the prince sought out the old woman to try to get some advice from her as to his conduct or, anyway, to have the pleasure of talking about Minon Minet. He found her spinning in an underground chamber, but quite ready to tell him all he wanted to know. In answer to his questions, he learned that in order to win the hand of the princess, it was not enough to be born a prince. For she would marry nobody who had not proved himself faithful, and had, besides, all those talents and accomplishments which helped to make people happy. For a moment, Suci was very much cast down on hearing this, but then he plucked up. Tell me what I must do in order to win the heart of the princess, and no matter how hard it is, I will do it. And show me how I can repay you for your kindness, and you shall have anything I can give you. Shall I bring in your bundle of sticks every day? It is enough that you should have made the offer. Reply the old woman, and she added, holding out a skein of thread. Take this, one day you will be thankful for it, and when it becomes useless, your difficulties will be passed. Is it the skein of my life? He asked, it is the skein of your love's ill-lock," she said. And he took it away, and went away. King Lockward made an attempt awkwardly to gain Princess sweetheart's favor, but she dismissed him swiftly by stating, "'I'm as likely to be interested in you as there is likely to be a bird without feathers and a bridge without an arch. Have a lean then restored to the poor king his horse and his sword, and though these were but small consolation for the absence of the princess who didn't seem interested in him in the least. They were better than nothing. For he felt that somehow they might be the means of leading him back to her. He set off on his travels and, after crossing several deserts, the king arrived at length in a country that seemed inhabited. But the instant he stepped over the border, he was seized and flung into chains and dragged at once to the capital. He asked his guards why he was treated like this, but the only answer he got was that he was in the territory of the Iron King. For in those days, countries had no names of their own, but were called after their rulers. The young man was led into the presence of the iron king, who was seated on a black throne in a hall also hung with black. What are you doing in my country? He cried fiercely. I came here by accident, replied Suzie, and if I ever escape from your clutches, I will take warning by you and treat my subjects differently. Do you dare to insult me in my own court? Cry the King, away with him to little ease. Now little ease was an iron cage hung by four thick chains in the middle of a great vaulted hall, and the prisoner inside could neither sit nor nor stand, nor lie. A hundred heavy bolts kept everything safe. The fickle fairy, whose business it was to see after Suzy, had forgotten his existence and the excitement of some new idea, and he would not have been alive long to trouble anybody if Aveline had not come to the rescue. She whispered in his ear, and the skein of thread. He took it up obediently, though he did not see how it would help him, but he tied it round one of the iron bars of his cage, which seemed the only thing he could do and gave a pull. To his surprise, the bar gave way at once, and he found he could break it into a thousand pieces. this, it did not take him long to get out of his cage, or to treat the closely barred windows of the hall in the same manner. But even after he had done all this, freedom appeared as far from him as ever. For between him and the open country was a high wall, and so smooth that not even a monkey could climb it. Then Susi, the awkward heart died within him. He saw nothing to do but to submit to the Iron King again. But as a last resort, flung his precious thread into the air, saying, as he did so. Oh, Fairy, my misfortunes are greater than your power and I'm grateful for your good will, but take back your gift. The Fairy had pity on his youth and want of faith, and took care that one end of the thread remained in his hand. He suddenly felt a jerk and saw that the thread must have caught on something, and this thought filled him with the daring that is born of despair. Better, he said to himself, trust to a thread,

than to the mercies of a king. And gliding down, he found himself safe on the other side of the wall. Then he rolled up the thread and put it carefully into his pocket, breathing silent thanks to the fairy. Now, Princess Minon Minet, the sweetheart, had been kept informed by fairy Avelineche of the princess adventures.

And when she heard of the way in which she had been treated by the Iron King, she became furious and began to prepare for war. She made her plans with all the secrecy she could. One great armies are collected.

People are apt to suspect a storm is brewing. And of course, it is very difficult to keep anything hidden from very god-mothers.

The princess declared her intention of putting herself at the head of her army and began to train herself to bear fatigue by hunting daily. the fairy and treated her to be careful, never to cross the borders of her dominions without Avaline to protect her. The princess at once gave her promise and all went well for some days. Luckily one morning, as sweetheart was cantering slowly on her beautiful white harts, thinking a great deal about Susie, and not at all of the boundaries of her kingdom, of which, indeed, she was very ignorant. She suddenly found herself in front of a house made entirely of dead leaves. She remembered Avaline's warning and tried to turn her horse, But its stood is still as if it had been made of marble. Then the princess felt she was slowly and against her will, being dragged to the ground. She longed to fly, but something outside herself proved too strong for her, and she was forced to take the path that led to the house of the dead leaves. Scarcely had her feet touched the threshold, then a mean-spirited fairy named Grimis appeared. So here you are at last sweet heart. I have been watching for you a long time, and my trap was ready for you from the beginning. Come here, my darling. I will teach you to make war on my friends. Things won't turn out exactly as you fancied. What you have

got to do now is to go on your knees to the king and crave his pardon. And before he consents to a peace, you will have to implore him to grant you the favor of becoming his wife. In the meantime, you will have to be my servant." From that day, the poor princess was put to the hardest and dirtiest work. Besides which, she had no food but a little black bread, and no bed but a little straw. Out of pure spite, she was sent in the heat of the day to look after the geese, and would most likely have got sunstroke if she had not happened to pick up in the fields a large fan, with which she sheltered her face. To be sure, a fan seems rather an odd possession for a goose girl, but the princess did not think of that, and she forgot all her troubles when, unopening the fan to use it as a parasol, out tumbled a letter from her lover. Then she felt sure that the fairy had not forgotten her, and she took heart. When grimace saw that sweetheart still managed to look as white as snow, instead of being sunburnt, she wondered what could have happened and began to watch her closely. The following day, when the sun was at its highest and hottest, grimace noticed her draw of fan from the folds of her dress and hold it before her eyes.

The fairy in a rage tried to snatch it from her, but the princess would not let it go. Give me that fan at once, cried Gremis. Never while I live, answered the princess, and not knowing where it would be safest, placed the fan under her feet. In an instant, she felt herself rising from the ground, with the fan always beneath her. And while Grimis was too much blinded by her fury to notice what was going on, the princess was quickly soaring out of her reach. All this time, Susi had been wandering through the world with his precious thread, carefully fastened round him, seeking every possible and impossible place where his beloved princess might chance to be. But though he sometimes found traces of her, or even messages scratched on a rock, or cut in the bark of a tree, she herself was nowhere to be found. If she is not on the earth," said Suzy to himself. Perhaps she is hiding somewhere in the air. It is there that I shall find her. So, by the help of his thread, he tried to mount upwards, but he could go such a little way and hurt himself dreadfully when he tumbled back to Earth again. Still, he did not give up. And after many days of efforts and tumbles, he found to his great joy that he could go a little higher and stay up a little longer than he had done at first.

And bye. He could go a little higher and stay up a little longer than he had done at first. And by and by, he was able to live in the air altogether. But alas, the world of the air seemed as empty of her as the world below, and Su-Ci was beginning to despair, and to think that he must go and search the world that lay in the sea. He was floating sadly along, not paying any heed to where he was going. When he saw in the distance, a beautiful, bright sort of bird coming towards him, his heart beat fast. He did not know why. and as they both drew near, the voice of the princess exclaimed, Behold the bird without feathers and the bridge without an arch. So their first meeting took place in the air, but it was nonetheless happy for that. And the fan grew big enough to hold the king as well as Aveline, who had hastened to give them some good advice. Then the marriage took place in the presence of the fickle fairy whom they had the greatest

trouble to find and who was much astonished to discover how much business had been taken

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