Fairytale Bedtime

Ash

Once in a kingdom many miles away, there was a young boy named Adam. He lived with his two younger step brothers, Brent and Nate, along with his mean old stepfather.

Brent and Nate would tease Adam everyday. Calling him names like Ash, because he was always dirty from cleaning the chimneys.

Now in the past when Adam was a wee boy, he had a mother. she was very fond of Adam. She would bring him special treats when she went to the market and tell him bedtime stories of knights and princesses.

Alas she grew ill, one day she was smiling up at Adam from her bed, the next she was gone. Leaving Adam all alone.

After the funeral Adams stepfather dragged him by his shirt collar back to the house. He had the servants move all Adams stuff into the cellar. You'll sleep in here from now on boy his stepfather bellowed as he shut the door behind him.

Adam cried every night for the loss of his dear sweet mother. Each day his stepbrothers would torment him, and his stepfather would make him clean up after them.

He made him mop. He made him sweep. He even made him go around the house and clean all the chimneys. Thus where he got his cruel nickname.

Years went by and each day the poor boy endured another day of chores and harassment. His cloths were always ratty hand me downs from his younger stepbrothers. Always too small. He ate bread and cheese everyday while the rest of his family dined in luxury.

One day a knock came upon the door. A man handed him an envelope. For the masters of the house he told Adam. With that he turned and walked away.

Adam held in his hand an invitation from the royal court. He rushed it to his stepfather. With grubby hands his stepfather tire open the letter. Squinting as he read over his piggish nose he told Adam to fetch Brent and Nate.

When he returned with the two boys in tow, his stepfather announced that there would be a ball. The princess would choose a suitor. It was in one week, Adam begged to go. Ill be good he said. Ill do extra housework he said. Ill reduce my monthly ration of food he said.

His stepfather peered into his face and laughed. Boy you'll never go anywhere as fine as this in those cloths. He told Adam.

What if I got better cloths? Adam asked.

Laughing again he told adam ,Boy the day you do that ill bring you to a hundred balls. Taking that as a yes on the condition he get new cloths Adam quickly sprinted away.

He went into town that day. He begged for spare change, and he offered to clean chimneys for just a few coins. Some people felt sympathy for the poor boy others scoffed in his direction.

Everyday after doing his chores he went to town. He repeated the same begs and offers all week. On the day before the ball he counted the money in his satchel. Yes he exclaimed. He had just enough to get two sets of cloths with a little left over.

He went to the tailors and requested two outfits of good quality. The tailor brought out an array of items and Adam picked his two favorite sets. He paid the man and set off to home. While there he passed a jewelry store. Nothing fancy but he decided to take a peer in.

After looking around a bit he found a locket with a key. The key opened the locket and inscribed inside was , I love you now ill love you forever never forget my lovers vow. He smiled, if the princess chooses me ill surely give her this. He paid and ran off home.

The next evening he got dressed and ran to the front door just as his stepfather and stepbrothers were walking out the door. They took one look at him and laughed. You don't seriously think your going they asked him. He nodded and quoted his stepfather.

The brothers pulled his cloths off him and took out daggers and shredded the clothing to pieces. Then they left.

Now Adam was a clever boy. He just stood there and smiled. He had bought his second set of cloths for this reason.

He ran and changed, whistling for his horse he jumped on and rode all the way to the castle.

Nobody stopped him as he walked into the palace without an invitation because nobody thought someone would come that wasn't invited.

When he walked in several girls swooned. He had an eye for only one girl though. He walked right up to her and pulled her into a dance. She didnt hesitate.

You sure are a breath of fresh air. Every guy here has kissed my hand at least a dozen times each.

They danced for hours. Every man in the ballroom was jealous. Adam looked around and couldn't find his family anymore and panicked. He quickly let the princess go and did a swift bow before running out the door.

He couldn't be caught not at home. He ran down the stairs and jumped into his horse, as he did something came tinkling out his pocket.

When the princess got outside she walked to where the young boy had just been. She noticed something sparkling on the ground.

She picked up Adams necklace and noticed it needed a key. She had a plan, she would find this mystery man.

The next day royal guards scoured the kingdom. Asking every boy at the party to present the key that would unlock the locket.

Meanwhile Adam sat at home in the kitchen alone toying at the key hanging from his neck. A knock came at the door when he answered it the same man who delivered the invitation stood there.

Fetch your masters he said. Adam obeyed and got his family. The man explained to them why he was there. Brent and Nate ran to their rooms each collecting as many keys they could. Trying each and failing to open the locket, the man went to leave. Adam called out, he ran up to the man and held out the key on his neck.

When he twisted the key the locket popped open. His stepbrothers and stepfather stood there dumbfounded. He followed the man to the carriage and waved goodbye to his family.

When the princess saw her lover she jumped with joy. He handed her the locket and as she read it she cried tears of happiness.

Within the week the two were happily married. Adam would send his family money every month thanking them for making him a better man. Adam and the princess lived in harmony the rest of their days.

The End