Caporushes October 16, 2006
Chapter 1: Author's note and prologue
While looking through a box of my old children's books in search of a misplaced storybook, I came across a primer full of short stories and fairy tales. On the inside cover was my sister's name, written in the hand of a small child.
I took the primer to my room and promptly forgot about it. When I found it again later and looked through the table of contents, I found some familiar titles like The Ugly Duckling and The Master Cat (or Puss in Boots) and some Grimm tales, but mostly there were folktales, from Russia, Japan, England, Nigeria and French-Canada. One that caught my eye, mostly because of its title, was called Caporushes. I had no idea what that meant, but the picture of a gentleman and lady ballroom dancing whispered "fairytale" in my ear.
The version I read was by Flora Annie Steel, and I recommend it to anyone who would like the basic story. I fell in love with the story at once. The heroine's wit and cleverness were always apparent, unlike some tales where it is said someone is clever but never shows that she is. The girl has sense, and makes a very good character. I found myself thinking "I bet she'd say that" or "I think she'd do this" and came to the conclusion I should write a re-telling of this beautiful and believable, if not exactly classic, fairytale.
And so I present to you
CAPORUSHES
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Once upon a time in a land long ago and far away, there lived a rich gentleman with his three daughters. When the youngest was still very small their mother had died, leaving their father alone to care for them. Though he was much aggrieved, he was filled with love for his daughters. He spoiled them and showered them with riches, and educated them thoroughly and none throughout the entire kingdom were as beautiful or clever as the three of them were. Time passed and they grew into three lovely young ladies.