Chapter 2: An Unusual Baby Shower

[The book opens and shows the story told here]

Narrator: In a far away land, long ago, lived a king and his fair queen. Many years had they longed for a child and finally their wish was granted. A daughter was born, and they called her Sarah. Yes, they gave her a name that means 'princess' for they thought it would be funny. They may have been the king and queen but they were a bit on the dorky side. And so a great holiday was proclaimed throughout the kingdom, so that all of high or low estate might pay homage to the infant princess, although most came just for the free food. And our story begins on that most joyful day.

[a crowd is on its way to the castle]

Choir: Joyfully now to our princess we come,
Bringing gifts and all good wishes too.
We pledge our loyalty anew.
Hail to the sweet princess Sarah!
All of her subjects adore her!
Hail to the King!
Hail to the Queen!
Hail to the sweet princess Sarah!
Health to the princess,
Wealth to the princess,
Long live the sweet princess Sarah!
Hail sweet Sarah!
Hail young Sarah!
Health to the princess,
Wealth to the princess,
Long live the sweet princess Sarah!
Hail to the King!
Hail to the Queen!
Hail to the sweet princess Sarah!

[inside the castle]

Narrator: Thus on this great and joyous day did all the kingdom celebrate the long awaited royal birth. And good King Albert and his Queen made welcome their life long friend.

Announcer: Their royal highnesses, King Frank and Prince Harmon

Narrator: Fondly had these monarchs dreamed one day their kingdoms to unite. Thus today would they announce that Harmon, Frank's son and heir, to Albert's child would be betrothed. And so to her his gift he brought, and looked, unknowing, on his future bride.

Harmon: She's a little young for me.

Announcer: Their most honored and exalted Excellencies, the three good fairies: Mistress Anna, Mistress Jaclyn, and Mistress Madelynne.

Fairies: [at the cradle] Oh, the little darling! [to the king] Your majesties,

Anna: Each of us the child may bless with a single gift. No more, no less. [at the cradle] Little princess, my gift shall be the gift of beauty.

Choir: One gift, beauty rare
Rich mahogany in her hair
Lips that shame the red red rose
She'll walk with springtime
Wherever she goes

Jaclyn: Tiny princess, my gift shall be the gift of song.

Choir: One gift, the gift of song
Melody her whole life long
The nightingale's her troubadour
Bringing her sweet serenade
to her door

Madelynne: Sweet princess, my gift shall be ...

[A blow of the wind, the door of the castle swings open. Lightning and thunder. Maleficent appears]

Anna: Why, it's Maleficent!

Madelynne: What does she want here?

Jaclyn: Shhh!

Maleficent: Well, quite a glittering assemblage, King Albert: Royalty, nobility, the gentry, and, how quaint, even the rebel.

[Madelynne starts angrily starts to fly towards Maleficent but is held back by Anna]

Maleficent: I really felt quite distressed at not receiving an invitation.

Madelynne: You weren't wanted!

Maleficent: Not wa...? Oh dear, what an awkward situation. I had hoped it was merely due to some oversight. Well, in that event I'd best be on my way.

Queen: And you're not offended, your Excellency?

Maleficent: Why no, your majesty. And to show I bear no ill will, I, too, shall bestow a gift on the child. [The fairies protect the cradle] Listen well, all of you! The princess shall indeed grow in grace and beauty, beloved by all who know her. But, before the sun sets on her sixteenth birthday, she shall prick her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel and die.

Queen: Oh no! [takes the child in her arm]

Maleficent: Ha, ha, ha, ha!

Albert: Seize that creature!

Maleficent: Stand back you fools. [disappears in a flash of lightning, laughing]

Anna: Don't despair, your majesties. Madelynne still has her gift to give.

Albert: Then she can undo this fearful curse?

Madelynne: Unfortunately, no.

Anna: Maleficent's powers are far too great.

Jaclyn: But she can help!

Madelynne: But ...

Jaclyn: Just do your best, sweetie.

Madelynne: Sweet princess, if through this wicked witch's trick a spindle should your finger prick, a ray of hope there still may be in this, the gift I give to thee. Not in death but just in sleep the fateful prophecy you'll keep, and from this slumber you shall wake when true love's kiss the spell shall break. Oh my gosh, that rhymed!

Choir: For true love conquers all