Music Welcome to Snewscast. The podcast is on to help you fall asleep. Find us at snoozecast.com and if you enjoy our show, please share us with a friend. This episode is brought to you by......Fetherbets. Tonight, for a 801st episode, we'll read a snooze cast original sleep story by the classic Fairy Tale, The Princess and the P. First published by H. C. Anderson in 1835, the tale features a princess who is tested to become wife to a lonely prince. At under 400 words long, it is triflingly short. Yet, though it would be small, it has served as the inspiration for many culturally popular works. The story was adapted to the musical stage in 1959 as once upon a mattress, with comedian Carol Burnett playing the plays heroin. Princess Winifred, the Woebegon. The musical was revived in 1997 with Sarah Jessica Parker in the role. The story has been adapted into three films, as well as a television production storm lies up in Ellie.

Let's get cozy.

Close your eyes.

Relax your body into the softness of your bed. Now, take a few deep breaths. a kingdom nestled between rolling hills and green forests, their lived a young prince named Alexander. His heart, though it beat warm and strong in his chest, was also weighed down by adolescent longing. Within the walls of the royal palace, he would pay back and forth, dreaming of finding his match. He yearned for a Princess to Mary. And of those the lands surrounding their kingdom, there were quite a few eligible ones. But not just any Princess would do. She had to be of truly noble lineage, just like him. His parents, King Ferdinand and Queen Matilda also fretted over their son's future, fearing he might be ensnared by pretty falsehoods masked as noble intentions. It was ever so important a decision to make, and they had heard stories from friends and family of royal impostors. So they also pined away for their son to find not just a real princess, but a rightful one.

Of these, there seemed to be very few indeed. After his 18th birthday, Alexander decided to take action. He embarked on a journey that took him far and wide, believing that such authenticity would be found. His first destination was France, where he encountered the captivating Princess Genevieve. Princess Genevieve had cascading chestnut locks that framed her delicate face. Her eyes sparkled like the finest gemstones, reflecting a depth of refinement that seemed fit for a royal consort. The prince was captivated by her poise as she moved gracefully through the court. As the days of his visit unfolded, Prince Alexander found himself enchanted during long candlelit dinners and moonlit strolls. A grand twelve-course feast was the climax of their courtship, where the air of Genevieve's court was thick with anticipation. Genesis, Genesis, Genesis, Genesis, Genesis, Genesis, Genesis, Genesis, Genesis, Genesis, Genesis, Genesis, Genesis, Genesis, Genesis, Genesis, Genesis, Genesis, Genesis, Genesis, Genesis, Genesis, Genesis, Genesis, Genesis, Genesis, Genesis, Genesis, Genesis, Genesis, Genesis, Genesis, Genesis, Genesis, Genesis, Genesis, Genesis, Genesis, Genesis, Genesis, Genesis, Genesis, Genesis, Genesis, Genesis, Genesis, Genesis, Genesis, Genesis, Genesis, Genesis, Genesis, Genesis, Genesis, of regal allure. However, the moment of revelation came during the soup course, a seemingly innocuous part of the extravagant dinner, rather than wielding the spoon like a scepter, the dainty princess approached the soup with a soft slurp, a dribble of broth streamed down her chin and she giddled as she dabbed it with an abkin. The prince was flimaxed. The perfect royal consort should navigate a bowl of soup with unparalleled finesse, obviously, unable to overlook this breach of dining etiquette. The prince bid a regretful adieu the next morning. After some time, he found himself in Spain. quickly became immersed in the lively atmosphere of the royal court. It was within the colorful and opulent halls of the Spanish palace that he encountered the vivacious Princess Isabella. The meeting was nothing short of grand, as the prince was introduced to the entire Spanish royal family during a festive gala. Princess Isabella adorned an agon that mirrored the colors of a setting sun, stood out among the courtyards. Her dark waves of hair fell around her face. The next day, Alexander and Isabella embarked on a romantic tour of the palace gardens. The air was filled with the intoxicating scent of orange blossoms, and the two young royals strolled beneath the dappled sunlight. Conversation flowed easily, and laughter echoed through the courtyard as they reff revolt in the beauty around them.

Isabella grabbed Alexander's hand and skipped towards the opening to a garden maze nestled within the heart of the gardens, made out of high, dense, shrubbery walls. However, not too long later, the Spanish princess found herself, disoriented, and unable to navigate the labyrinths, twists and turns. The once flawless Isabella, along with the prince, emerged with the shuffled hair and dirt streaked torn clothing. To Alexander, this mishap signaled a revelation about the princess's supposed royalty.. Wouldn't a real princess possess an innate sense of direction, as all princesses do, especially within the confines of her own garden grounds, regardless of the fact that it was a maze. The Prince left Spain soon after, convinced that a real princess would effortlessly navigate the complexities of both mazes and matters of the heart. There are some of travel passed, Alexander found himself in the misty green landscapes of Scotland, where he discovered the modest yet alluring, princess, Elspeth, beauty draped in the elegance of Scottish tradition, illuminated the serene beauty of the Highlands. Their days together unfolded in a quiet dance of shared glances and stolen moments, leaving the prince enchanted by the unassuming lure of the Scottish princess. Princess Ells-Peth, with her all-burned hair, like a waterfall, and eyes that spoke more than are mounted. Drew the prince in.

As the days extended into a week, Prince Alexander became increasingly convinced that he had finally found his match. The charm and modesty of Princess Elsp path appealed to his longing for authenticity. Excitement bubbled within him, and on the last day of his visit, he decided to put the the princess to a test, one that he believed would truly reveal her royal medal. The prince summoned his servant to hastily fashion a few sock puppets. Convinced that a real princess would effortlessly command with even the most whimsical of tools. He presented to the princess his idea of role-playing as the Danish queen using sock puppets. Ellsworth dawned to brave smile. prince anticipating a regal performance sat back with his sock puppet court. In her soft spoken manner, the prince is fumbled through a series of attempts, the sock puppet sacting as silent witnesses to her awkward efforts. Alexander. though smitten by her through and through in every other way, just could not overlook his strict criteria. If she could not manage with song puppets, she certainly would crumble under the presence of an

entire courtly audience awaiting her command.

With a heavy heart, he realized that the shy Scottish princess may not possess

the assertiveness he envisioned in a royal consort. He made his way back to Denmark, alone. At home, Prince Alexander's once-eager steps now echoed with a somber rhythm. The grand halls of his castle seemed less inviting, and the vibrant tapestries that adorned the walls now appeared dull in comparison to the romantic landscapes he had traversed in search of a princess. From the balcony above, King Ferdinand and Queen Matilda followed their son with their gazes. They too had been engaged in attempts at matchmaking, fervently desiring a rightful princess for their beloved son. As the prince regaled them with tales of his travels, the royal couple listened with sympathy, understanding the complexity of finding an authentic royal match. King Ferdinand, a compassionate man, padded his son's shoulder in a gesture of solace. Finding true love is a journey filled with unexpected twists, my dear son, he said, Queen Matilda, with a gentle smile offered, and remember, love often reveals itself in the most unexpected places. In the following days, a royal family convened to discuss the matter that had become the centerpiece of their lives. The Grand Court, filled with nobles and courteers, buzzed with whispered speculations about the prince's journey and the elusive search. One evening, as a terrible storm unleashed its fury upon the kingdom, lightning streaked across the ominous sky, and thunderous roars reverberated through the castle walls. Torrential rain pounded the cobblestone streets, transforming the courtyard into a sea of puddles. The grand tapestries shivered with every gust of wind, and the flickering candles cast dancing shadows that mirror the uncertainty that gripped the castle. In the midst of this tempest, a sharp and persistent knocking echoed through the town gate. The king, with furrowed brows and lantern in hand, roused up some guards, and the troop made their way through the drafty corridors to answer the mysterious call. With a creek at the hinges, the massive gate swung open. It revealed a little figure, barely holding firm against the wind, which whipped through the entrance. It almost extinguished the lanterns glow before the old king, managed to shield it with his cloak.

There drenched, stood a young woman, her fine clothes clinging to her, water streamed from her hair into her shoes and ran out at the heels. The old king turned to his first guard, who shrugged. And he looked back at the young woman and said in a voice that struggled to rise above the howling wind. Who are you and what brings you to our castle on such a fearsome night? With an air of quiet dignity, the stranger raised her gaze to meet the old King's eyes. I am Princess Eleanor, she declared, her voice carrying a strength that cut through the Storm's clamor. I seek refuge from the Tempest. May I shelter within your castle until the Storm abates? Ferdinand, though taken aback by the unexpected arrival, ushered her inside, where warmth and light awaited. The Grand Hall, usually reserved for extravagant gatherings, became an unexpected haven for the wary traveler. As the princess's arrival echoed through the castle, Prince Alexander emerged from his solitude to spy this unexpected turn of events. His eyes met those of Eleanor for a moment as she was escorted past. The old queen also observed her arrival with a skeptical glint in her eye. A shrewd smile played upon the queen's lips as she hurried her way through a servant's passage to the guest-bed chamber in order to get there quickly. As the princess was slowly led to her chamber through the formal passage by attendance, until they had devised a test to determine the authenticity of the unexpected guest. The queen swiftly and silently stripped back the luxurious bedclothes, revealing the bare mattress beneath. From a pocket, she pulled out a single dried pea, such a seemingly inconspicuous little thing. With a precise movement she placed the pea at the very bottom of the bed. The queen then summoned her trusted ladies in waiting to fetch an impressive array of mattresses from other rooms, twenty of them to be exact. They were piled one on top of the other, creating a mountainous throne. On top of the mattresses, the queen added another layer of opulence. Twenty-eider-down feather beds, each softer than the last, creating a regal pinnacle upon which the supposedly royal young stranger would spend her night. After smoothing out the top cover with satisfaction, the queen climbed back down. As the princess entered the lavishly appointed candlelit room, the queen stood to welcome her with boys. After introducing herself, she explained the sleeping arrangements matter a faculty. Hero towels, a nightgown, slippers, and a robe. On top of all of these, she gestured toward the towering stack of mattresses and feather beds. The princess is to spend the night, sweet dreams might dear. As the storm continued outside the castle walls that evening, the royal courts succumbed to the allure of gossip and whispers spread through the Grand Corridors. The tale of the supposed princes, who arrived in the midst of the tempest, soaked in a loan, captured the imagination of the courtteers. Murmurs intensified as the queens made of honor, discreetly disclosed the clandestine placement of a single pea beneath the towering mountain of mattresses and feather beds. storm broke soon before dawn, and the sunlight diffused through still-rain-soaked windows. At breakfast with the royal family and the strange guest, courteers approached Princess Eleanor with polite inquiries about her night's rest. Did you sleep well, dear Princess? They asked. Princess Eleanor, accountant and reflecting a night of discomfort, responded with a soft sigh. Oh, she exclaimed.

No. responded with a soft sigh. Oh, she exclaimed, no, I scarcely slept at all. Heaven knows what's in that bed. I lay on something so hard that I'm black and blue all over. It was simply terrible. The court, feigning sympathy, exchanged knowing lenses. Prince Alexander, who remained oblivious to his mother's test, felt real sympathy for the stranger. He too had struggled to sleep that night, as Eley wondering about the surprise visitor. The old queen, on the other hand, took note of the supposed discomfort that Princess Eleanor experienced. She understood that only a real princess possessed the sensitivity to feel a solitary pee buried beneath an extravagant mound of mattresses and feather beds. The authenticity of Princess Eleanor's royal lineage was now beyond question. Her delicate nature exposed by the seemingly insignificant pea. Prince Alexander soon heard the good news from his parents. clarity dawning like the morning sun, after a tempest, the prince

finally felt the surge of certainty. The dear Princess Eleanor, who endured such an excruciating night of discomfort and silence, had proven herself With a sense of urgency, Alexander approached Eleanor. He gently took her hand and said, Princess Eleanor, you have proven yourself to be the true and authentic match for my heart. Will you make me the happiest man in the kingdom and consent to be my bride? Princess Eleanor smiled with a quiet grace. Yes, Prince Alexander, she responded. What I must ask you, do you happen to care for puppet shows and the Prince smiled? As for the pea, a seemingly insignificant witness to the courtship of Alexander and Eleanor, while it found its place in the annals of the kingdom's history. Rather than being added into the royal cook's next stew, the bee became a symbol of the sensitivity that had united two hearts. The court, recognizing the profound significance of the bee, decided to preserve it for posterity. They enshrined the humble bee in the Royal Museum. The artifact was carefully displayed within a gilded frame. Even today, behind glass walls that reflect the curious gaze of visitors, the simple green pea rests, reminding all visitors who behold it, that true love often emerges after the most arduous of tests. There, that is a true story. Yn yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n yw'n y