The Butcher's Daughter

The Butcher's Daughter

   A long, long time ago, in a Kingdom far, far away, there lived an old butcher and his daughter. They did not have much and they lived in an old beaten down shed, but they were very happy. Many times the people of his village would ask the man, "Why do you live in such poverty? You should take up thievery, or murder, for your daughters sake." The old butcher would softly shake his head. He was a kind and gentle man; he never would speak a harsh word to anyone, even those customers who refused to pay. However, he did feel sorry for his daughter. She was a very lovely young lady, but none of the men in the Kingdom were interested. They each wanted a wife with a father who was either rich, or had a good job that they could take over after his passing.
    His daughter, Destina, never complained, and she helped out around the house as much as she could. She loved her father so very much. The old man knew this, and it made him want to find her a better lifestyle all the more. So, he went to his garden one night and wished upon the moon, "Please, moon, way up there in the heavens, help my daughter, fairest of the fair, to get out of this poor man's world, and live as she deserves: like a queen!"
    It just so happened that, that very night, the Prince himself had been strolling through the woods near the butcher's house. He overheard this plea, and was very intrigued. For, at that time, the King's health was failing and the prince would soon have to take over, and for this he would need a queen. It was actually this very subject that had driven him out of the castle and to the woods for a midnight stroll alone with his thoughts.
    He knew he would need to marry soon, but none of the girls he had met appealed to him. He had seen maidens, ladies, princesses, queens, women, and even a few damsels. None of them were his type. He did not like the rich girl type, he wanted a wife who would love him for who he was, not what he had. Someone who had grown up with the people, one who had seen hardship, and learned to co-exist with it. This old butcher's daughter seemed like just the girl for him, plus she sounded very pretty too.
    In the morning, he sent a messenger to the butcher's house with an invitation for he and his daughter to dine with the prince that evening. The old man did not know when to think, never before had anyone such as the prince wanted to see him. He took out his best clothes and laid them out for the evening. Destina did not have any elegant dresses or even a pretty skirt. She generally wore plain, drab dresses around the house. She had never expected to be dining with the prince. At once, she set to work, cutting up her old dresses and sewing them together to make the most beautiful dress anyone in that Kingdom had ever seen. She had been working all day on her dress, and just barely had enough time to get washed up before the carriage arrived to take them to the palace.
    Upon arrival at the palace, they were greeted by four magnificent servants who took their things, and showed them inside. Destina and her father had never seen such wonderful artwork, and the architecture of the palace blew them away. When they reached the dining room, they found not only the prince there to greet them, but the King and Queen were already seated at the table. Though very nervous, the old man managed to introduce himself and his daughter. "The pleasure is all mine good man," replied the prince, "And might I say, your daughter looks absolutely magnificent tonight." Destina began to blush mildly, she had never received a compliment from any man but her father before.
    The Prince, noticing this, knew instantly that this was the woman he wanted to make his wife. He showed them to their seats at the table and ordered dinner to begin. All throughout the meal, the Prince could not keep his eyes off of Destina. After dinner, the Prince left the butcher and the King to talk about the choice cuts of meat available at different markets, while he took Destina aside. "Destina, I knew from the moment I met you, I wanted you to be my wife. Forgive me if I am being too forward, but the divine shafts of love have pierced my heart, and I am helpless to their power. Destina, if you agree to marry me, I will free you and your father from the shackles of poverty, and give you a home in the palace where you will rule by my side as Queen." Destina did not know quite what to say to this. She had had no idea that this was what the prince had in mind when he invited them over to dinner.
    She knew from stories around the Kingdom that the prince was a good and just man. She came to realize that, over the course of their dinner, she had grown quite fond of him too. "My dear Prince, to marry you and be your Queen would make me the happiest woman on the planet. All my life I have waited for a man such as you to come and profess his love for me. I must have you know, however, that I do not agree to marry you for your money, stature, or power. For, these things mean nothing to me. It is naught but your good deeds and loving heart that I agree to be thine forevermore."
    Soon after, there followed a large wedding with many guests and a large feast prepared in part by Destina's father, who, not wanting to give up his profession, was now the Royal Butcher to the King and Queen. The King had recently passed on and the Prince and Destina were the new King and Queen of the Kingdom. Under their rule, the Kingdom flourished, and the men of the village learned that women, however poor they may be, may still be destined for greatness.
    And, of course, they all lived happily ever after.

                                                  -The End-

                                                                    -Kegan Shepard