The Enchantress Returns

Part 2

cursed her to die after pricking her finger on the spindle of a

spinning wheel. Luckily, another fairy reformed the curse, so

when the princess eventually pricked her finger, she and the

entire kingdom simply went to sleep. They slept for a hundred

years and the performers took great delight in re-creating the

moment King Chase kissed her and awoke them all.

I think its time we dispose of our little gifts from the queen, a

woman shouted from the back of the hall. She stood up on a table

and cheerfully gestured to her wrist.

Everyone in the kingdom wore flexible bands around their wrists

made from tree sap. In the years prior, Queen Sleeping Beauty had

instructed them to snap their wrists with them whenever they felt

unnecessary fatigue. The bands helped the citizens stay awake,

fighting off the lingering effects of the curse.

Fortunately, the bands weren't needed anymore. Everyone in the

great hall ripped them off their wrists and threw them happily in

the air.

Your Majesty, wont you tell us again where you learned a trick

like that? a man asked the queen about the bands.

Youll think strangely of me when I tell you, Sleeping Beauty

said. It was from a child. He and his sister were visiting the

castle a year ago. He said he had used a band to keep himself

awake in school and suggested the kingdom try it.