Once upon a time in a faraway land, a beautiful girl was born to a king and queen, and fairies from all over the kingdom were invited to celebrate the birth. They brought with them special gifts and blessings for the little princess so that she would become a clever, beautiful, and kind girl.

​

But suddenly, at the height of the celebrations, an old, wicked fairy appeared in the middle of the ball room, angry at having not being invited.  She pointed at the baby girl and cursed her, “On her sixteenth birthday she will touch a spinning wheel and die.”

​

The old fairy vanished with a scream, leaving everyone shocked and worried.

​

But the last, youngest fairy, who had not given her blessing yet, stepped forward.

​

“I cannot take away the evil witch’s curse, but I will try to help.” The fairy said, waving her wand, “When the princess touches the spinning wheel, she will not die but will instead fall into a deep sleep.  A sleep that can only be broken by the kiss of a loving prince.”

​

However the king and queen were so worried for their dear daughter that they ordered all the spinning wheels in the Kingdom to be destroyed.

​

As the years went by, the baby grew to be a lovely, charming, young girl, loved by all in the land. Eventually the day came for her 16th birthday.

​

There was a great buzz around the palace, as people prepared for a lavish party and so the Princess was left to roam about the castle by herself.

​

At the top of the tallest tower, she came across a door she had never seen before. Inside she found an old woman bent over a curious device with a large wheel that turned and turned.

​

“Oh! What is this?”, cried the princess in excitement.

​

“It is a spinning wheel my dear!” said the old woman. She beckoned the young girl forward to see more clearly, showing how turning the wheel would turn fleece into yarn.

​

The Princess was so excited by something new, she pleaded with the woman, “Please let me try this as well!”.

​

But the minute she touched the needle of the spindle she fell to the ground.

​

The witch’s spell had come to pass.

​

The whole kingdom was sad for the loss of their princess. The King, with a heavy heart, ordered the sleeping princess to be taken to the ball room, where every person could see the sleeping beauty.

​

The young fairy watched this and with a wave of her hand, she cast a spell, and at that very moment, all the people and animals in the kingdom fell asleep where they were.

​

“Let the whole kingdom fall asleep with the princess so when she wakes up, she will not be alone,” she said.

​

Everything stopped.

​

The young fairy then cast another spell so that a huge forest of tall trees and thick brambles sprang up to keep the kingdom hidden from all but the most determined explorer.

​

And so, 100 years past by the sleeping Kingdom until one day a handsome Prince was passing through the forests and discovered it lying behind the thick bramble.

​

As he explored the strange palace, he was surprised to find the sleeping beauty lying fast asleep in the main hall and immediately fell in love with her.

​

“I want to know who she is? How gentle and peaceful she looks!”, he said.

​

He leaned down and kissed her.

​

Instantly, the spell was lifted, the princess and all the people awoke. There was joy all round and a grand celebration was put on by the king. The prince and princess were soon married, and they lived happily ever after.