Today is the first day of the What if? Fairy Tale Madness Blogfest hosted by Leigh Covington, Cassie Mae, Morgan Shamy, and Mark Koopmans. The basic premise is to write a scene from a fairy tale (300 words max.) in which some detail of the tale has been altered. There are prizes for the following four categories: Comedy, Plot Twist, Romance, and Tragedy (and you must announce your category in your blog post). The blogfest runs through Friday, so there’s still plenty of time to join.  Check out any of the hosts’ blogs for more details. The linky is below the story.

Anyway, my entry for the comedy category is below, along with my attempt at a Spanish translation, because that’s what I do. I’m pretty sure this will be all right, as I’ve got the story in English as well, but I must warn anybody else looking to participate in different languages, you should have your story (and declaration of category) in English, since judges and other blogfest participants may not be able to read it. (For more information on writing fiction in a second language check out this post I stumbled across.)

Well, on to the story. This is how I think Sleeping Beauty would really have played out:

The Long Wait

The prince almost turned back then and there, with his hand on the door, listening to the gentle snores from within the room. The princess had waited a hundred years after all. One hundred. Would she be disappointed when she saw him? Was he really good enough to wait so long for? He hovered on the top step of the tower, wobbling on the balls of his feet. He flinched at the low creak from the hinges as he pushed the door open.

The prince waded through dust and debris to cross the room, but hardly noticed it. His gaze was fixed on the bed, canopied with heavy tapestries depicting great battles, wild hunts, and—of course—beautiful maidens. The prince closed his eyes. He pulled the curtains aside.

The kiss itself happened too quickly for him to notice much. The prince wondered whether he had missed and kissed the pillow instead, but then he heard a soft yawn like the coo of a dove and faint hoarse words: “My prince?” He opened his eyes.

The wrinkled face on the pillow broke out in a toothless smile. The crone cackled and clapped a pair of gnarled hands.

“But, you’re…” He backed away from the bed.

“I’m the princess.” The woman struggled to a sitting position, but lay back down with a moan: “Oh, my back.”

“No.”

“What’s that, Sonny?” The princess cupped a hand to her ear.

“This isn’t right…”

“You’re finally here!” The princess’ croaking voice came close to a shout. “My old heart is beating so fast. I’m free.” She sat up again, this time successfully. “I’m free-free-free-free—ack!” The princess pressed her hands to her chest. She squeaked and her eyes rolled back as she flopped face first onto the bedclothes.

La Espera Larga

El príncipe casi volvió en el mismo momento, con su mano en la puerta, escuchando a los ronquidos suaves desde el cuarto. La princesa había esperado durante cien años. Cien años. ¿Quedará ella decepcionada cuando ella le verá a él? ¿Estaba él realmente bastante bueno para esperar durante tan tiempo? Él rondo en el alto de la escalera de la torre, temblando en sus pies. Se estremeció del chirrido bajo de las bisagras mientras abrió la puerta empujándola.

El príncipe caminó a través de polvo y desechos, pero apenas se dio cuenta. Su mirada estaba fija en la cama, endoselada con tapices pesados que retrataban batalles grandes, cazas furiosas, y—por supuesto—doncellas hermosas. El príncipe cerró sus ojos. Sacó las cortinas aparte.

El beso en si mismo pasó demasiado rápidamente para notar mucho. El príncipe se preguntó si él hubiera errado y había besado la almohada en lugar de la princesa, pero entonces oyó un bostezo suave como el arrullo de una paloma y palabras leves y roncas: “¿Mi príncipe?” Él abrió sus ojos.

La cara arrugada en la almohada sonrió sin dientes. La vieja cacareó y aplaudió con dos manos nudosas.

“Pero, eres…” Él se alejó de la cama.

“Soy la princesa.” La mujer luchó por incorporarse, pero se acostó con un gemido: “Ay, mi espalda.”

“No.”

“¿Qué es eso, niño?” La princesa puso una mano a su oreja.

“Esto es erróneo…”

“¡Finalmente estás aquí!” La voz ronca de la princesa fue casi un grito. “Mi corazón vieja está latiendo muy rápidamente. Estoy libre.” Ella se incorporó de nuevo, con éxito esta vez. “¡Estoy libre-libre-libre-libre—ack!” La princesa puso sus manos a su pecho. Ella chilló y se le pusieron los ojos en blanco mientras ella cayó, cara primero, encima de la ropa de cama.

Como siempre, digame si hay errores. Estoy segura que hay muchos hoy.