13\. Here I Am
by George MacDonald · from The Light Princess
Adapted Version
A princess was very, very sick. Her name was Princess Lily.
King Max was very sad. No one wanted to help Princess Lily. She was very sick. She lay in her bed.
Magic plate said brave man must help. He must stop the water. King Max told everyone. No one came forward. No one wanted to help.
Prince Leo was away. He came home. He heard about Lily. He learned about the lake. He was a shoeblack.
Prince Leo loved Princess Lily. He wanted to help her. He thought, "I must save her. She will be happy." He felt very brave. Love made him brave.
Prince Leo had a plan. He would ask for Princess Lily. She would be with him. He would stay in the water. She would be close.
Prince Leo went to King Max's room. He wanted to be calm. He did not look worried. He knocked.
King Max was very angry. He opened the door fast. He saw Prince Leo. He did not know him. King Max shouted loudly.
Prince Leo spoke with clever words. "I will stop your lake," he said. "The lake has a hole. I will help you, King Max."
King Max saw no one else. Prince Leo was the only one. King Max slowly accepted.
"I have a special wish," said Leo. This made King Max angry. "A wish?" Max shouted.
Prince Leo stayed calm. He said his wish was important. "The magic plate needs help," he said. "It needs someone who wants to help. I want to help."
King Max knew he must listen. No one else would help. He asked, "What is your wish?"
Prince Leo told his wish. "Princess Lily must come," he said. "She will feed me. She will be with me. She will stay while I am in water."
King Max thought about the wish. It was not a big problem. He agreed. "Yes, I grant your wish," he said.
King Max called his guards. "Find the hole in the lake!" he said. They looked everywhere. They found a small hole. It was in a stone.
The king was happy. Prince Leo was ready to help. Princess Lily would be safe. It was a good plan.
Original Story
13. Here I Am.
This was a very disheartening revelation to the king—not that he was unwilling to sacrifice a subject, but that he was hopeless of finding a man willing to sacrifice himself. No time was to be lost, however, for the princess was lying motionless on her bed, and taking no nourishment but lake-water, which was now none of the best. Therefore the king caused the contents of the wonderful plate of gold to be published throughout the country.
No one, however, came forward.
The prince, having gone several days' journey into the forest, to consult a hermit whom he had met there on his way to Lagobel, knew nothing of the oracle till his return.
When he had acquainted himself with all the particulars, he sat down and thought,—
"She will die if I don't do it, and life would be nothing to me without her; so I shall lose nothing by doing it. And life will be as pleasant to her as ever, for she will soon forget me. And there will be so much more beauty and happiness in the world!—To be sure, I shall not see it." (Here the poor prince gave a sigh.) "How lovely the lake will be in the moonlight, with that glorious creature sporting in it like a wild goddess!—It is rather hard to be drowned by inches, though. Let me see—that will be seventy inches of me to drown." (Here he tried to laugh, but could not.) "The longer the better, however," he resumed: "for can I not bargain that the princess shall be beside me all the time? So I shall see her once more, kiss her perhaps,—who knows?—and die looking in her eyes. It will be no death. At least, I shall not feel it. And to see the lake filling for the beauty again!—All right! I am ready."
He kissed the princess's boot, laid it down, and hurried to the king's apartment. But feeling, as he went, that anything sentimental would be disagreeable, he resolved to carry off the whole affair with nonchalance. So he knocked at the door of the king's counting-house, where it was all but a capital crime to disturb him.
When the king heard the knock he started up, and opened the door in a rage. Seeing only the shoeblack, he drew his sword. This, I am sorry to say, was his usual mode of asserting his regality when he thought his dignity was in danger. But the prince was not in the least alarmed.
"Please your Majesty, I'm your butler," said he.
"My butler! you lying rascal! What do you mean?"
"I mean, I will cork your big bottle."
"Is the fellow mad?" bawled the king, raising the point of his sword.
"I will put a stopper—plug—what you call it, in your leaky lake, grand monarch," said the prince.
The king was in such a rage that before he could speak he had time to cool, and to reflect that it would be great waste to kill the only man who was willing to be useful in the present emergency, seeing that in the end the insolent fellow would be as dead as if he had died by his Majesty's own hand. "Oh!" said he at last, putting up his sword with difficulty, it was so long; "I am obliged to you, you young fool! Take a glass of wine?"
"No, thank you," replied the prince.
"Very well," said the king. "Would you like to run and see your parents before you make your experiment?"
"No, thank you," said the prince.
"Then we will go and look for the hole at once," said his Majesty, and proceeded to call some attendants.
"Stop, please your Majesty; I have a condition to make," interposed the prince.
"What!" exclaimed the king, "a condition! and with me! How dare you?"
"As you please," returned the prince, coolly. "I wish your Majesty a good morning."
"You wretch! I will have you put in a sack, and stuck in the hole."
"Very well, your Majesty," replied the prince, becoming a little more respectful, lest the wrath of the king should deprive him of the pleasure of dying for the princess. "But what good will that do your Majesty? Please to remember that the oracle says the victim must offer himself."
"Well, you have offered yourself," retorted the king.
"Yes, upon one condition."
"Condition again!" roared the king, once more drawing his sword. "Begone! Somebody else will be glad enough to take the honour off your shoulders."
"Your Majesty knows it will not be easy to get another to take my place."
"Well, what is your condition?" growled the king, feeling that the prince was right.
"Only this," replied the prince: "that, as I must on no account die before I am fairly drowned, and the waiting will be rather wearisome, the princess, your daughter, shall go with me, feed me with her own hands, and look at me now and then to comfort me; for you must confess it IS rather hard. As soon as the water is up to my eyes, she may go and be happy, and forget her poor shoeblack."
Here the prince's voice faltered, and he very nearly grew sentimental, in spite of his resolution.
"Why didn't you tell me before what your condition was? Such a fuss about nothing!" exclaimed the king.
"Do you grant it?" persisted the prince. "Of course I do," replied the king.
"Very well. I am ready."
"Go and have some dinner, then, while I set my people to find the place."
The king ordered out his guards, and gave directions to the officers to find the hole in the lake at once. So the bed of the lake was marked out in divisions and thoroughly examined, and in an hour or so the hole was discovered. It was in the middle of a stone, near the centre of the lake, in the very pool where the golden plate had been found. It was a three-cornered hole of no great size. There was water all round the stone, but very little was flowing through the hole.
Story DNA
Moral
True love inspires the greatest acts of self-sacrifice.
Plot Summary
A princess is dying, and an oracle reveals that a self-sacrificing man must plug a hole in a magical lake to save her. No one volunteers until the prince, disguised as a shoeblack, returns and, out of love for the princess, decides to offer himself. He confronts the king, who is initially enraged by his insolence, but eventually accepts the offer. The prince's only condition is that the princess must accompany and comfort him during his slow drowning, which the king surprisingly grants, and the hole is then located.
Themes
Emotional Arc
despair to hope
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
George MacDonald was a Victorian author, and his fairy tales often carry strong moral and spiritual undertones, though this specific excerpt focuses on the romantic and sacrificial aspects.
Plot Beats (15)
- The king is disheartened that no one will sacrifice themselves to save the princess, who is slowly dying.
- The oracle's demand for a self-sacrificing man to plug a hole in the lake is published throughout the country, but no one volunteers.
- The prince, disguised as a shoeblack, returns from a journey and learns of the situation.
- The prince decides to sacrifice himself for the princess, reasoning that life without her is meaningless and his death will ensure her happiness.
- He plans to bargain for the princess's presence during his drowning to see her one last time.
- The prince approaches the king's counting-house, intending to act nonchalant.
- The king, angered by the interruption, threatens the prince with his sword, not recognizing him.
- The prince, using wordplay, announces his intention to 'cork' the 'leaky lake'.
- The king, realizing the prince is the only volunteer, reluctantly puts away his sword and accepts the offer.
- The prince states he has a condition, which enrages the king again.
- The prince calmly insists on his condition, reminding the king that the oracle requires a willing sacrifice.
- The king, realizing he has no other choice, asks for the condition.
- The prince reveals his condition: the princess must accompany him, feed him, and comfort him until the water reaches his eyes.
- The king, surprisingly, agrees to the condition, finding it trivial compared to the initial fuss.
- The king orders his guards to find the hole in the lake, which is quickly discovered to be a small, three-cornered hole in a stone at the lake's center.
Characters
The Prince ★ protagonist
Lean and agile build, of average height for a young man, with a youthful yet determined countenance. He is not described as exceptionally strong or imposing, but rather as possessing a quiet resilience.
Attire: Initially, he is disguised as a shoeblack, implying simple, worn, and practical clothing suitable for manual labor, likely made of coarse linen or wool in muted colors. When he reveals himself, he would wear the more refined, but still understated, attire of a prince, perhaps a tunic and breeches of fine wool or velvet in deep blues or greens, with a simple leather belt, avoiding ostentatious display.
Wants: To save the princess's life and ensure her happiness, even if it means his own death. His love for her is his primary driver.
Flaw: His deep love for the princess makes him vulnerable to emotional pain, as seen when his voice falters. He struggles to maintain his nonchalant facade when discussing her.
He transforms from a seemingly ordinary 'shoeblack' (or a prince in disguise) into a heroic figure willing to make the ultimate sacrifice. He starts with a calculated stoicism but reveals his deep emotional core through his actions and conditions.
Self-sacrificing, determined, quick-witted, stoic, deeply loving. He prioritizes the princess's happiness above his own life.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young man of lean build and average height, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has neatly kept light brown hair, a fair complexion, and steady, intelligent blue eyes. He wears a simple, dark blue woolen tunic, well-worn brown leather breeches, and sturdy leather boots. A plain leather belt cinches his waist. He holds his hands clasped loosely in front of him, adopting a posture of quiet defiance. His expression is calm and slightly amused, with a hint of underlying resolve. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The King ◆ supporting
A man of imposing presence, likely of robust build, reflecting his royal authority and perhaps a tendency towards indulgence. He is described as having a long sword, suggesting he is not small in stature.
Attire: Wears rich, heavy royal attire, likely a velvet or brocade robe in deep colors like crimson or purple, possibly trimmed with fur or gold embroidery. A jeweled crown or circlet would adorn his head, and he would wear a heavy gold chain or medallion. His long sword, a symbol of his authority, would always be at his side.
Wants: To save his daughter, the Princess, and maintain his kingdom's stability. He also desires to uphold his royal dignity and authority.
Flaw: His explosive temper and excessive pride often cloud his judgment and make him prone to rash actions, like drawing his sword on a shoeblack.
He begins as an enraged, unyielding monarch but is slowly forced to concede to the Prince's terms due to desperation and the Prince's cleverness. He learns to temper his pride for the sake of his daughter.
Hot-tempered, proud, easily enraged, pragmatic (when cooled down), somewhat desperate. He values his regality above all else but is willing to compromise for his daughter's sake.
Image Prompt & Upload
An adult man of robust build and imposing height, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a stern, flushed face with a heavy brow, and a neatly trimmed graying beard and hair. He wears a heavy crimson velvet robe with gold embroidery, a wide gold belt, and a jeweled crown. A very long, ornate sword with a jeweled hilt is drawn and held pointed upwards in his right hand. His expression is one of indignant rage, with furrowed brows and a slightly open mouth as if mid-shout. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Princess ◆ supporting
Described as a 'glorious creature' and 'beauty,' implying a graceful and enchanting physical presence. She is currently motionless and taking only lake-water, suggesting a delicate and possibly frail state due to her illness.
Attire: Even in her illness, she would be dressed in fine, delicate nightwear, perhaps a silk or linen gown in soft, pale colors, reflecting her royal status and current delicate state. Later, when accompanying the Prince, she would wear elegant but not overly elaborate court attire, perhaps a flowing gown of fine silk or brocade in soft blues or greens, with minimal jewelry.
Wants: To recover from her mysterious illness and live a full, happy life.
Flaw: Her current illness renders her helpless and dependent on others for her survival.
Her arc is one of recovery and renewed life, facilitated by the Prince's sacrifice. She is destined to 'go and be happy' and 'forget her poor shoeblack'.
Not directly shown, but inferred to be gentle and beautiful, inspiring deep love and sacrifice. Her presence is meant to be comforting.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young woman of graceful, delicate build, lying serenely on a large bed, facing slightly to the side, full body visible from head to toe. She has a fair complexion, soft, gentle features, and very long, wavy golden-blonde hair spread out around her head on the pillow. She wears a flowing, pale blue silk nightgown with delicate lace trim at the neckline. Her eyes are closed, and her expression is peaceful and ethereal. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
King's Counting-House
A private, formal room within the palace where the king conducts his affairs, implied to be a place where disturbance is severely punished. It is likely furnished in a manner befitting a monarch's office, possibly with heavy wooden furniture and royal regalia.
Mood: Tense, formal, intimidating due to the king's temper.
The prince confronts the king and offers himself as the sacrifice, making his condition.
Image Prompt & Upload
An opulent, high-ceilinged royal counting-house within a grand European palace, possibly with heavy oak paneling and a large, ornate desk. Sunlight streams through tall, arched windows, illuminating dust motes in the air. Tapestries depicting historical scenes hang on the walls, and a large, intricate rug covers the polished stone floor. A long, ceremonial sword rests against a nearby cabinet. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
The Lake
A large body of water, central to the kingdom's well-being, with a mysterious, three-cornered hole in a stone near its center. The water quality is deteriorating, and it is envisioned as a place of both beauty and impending sacrifice.
Mood: Mysterious, vital, beautiful, but also ominous due to the impending sacrifice.
The location of the kingdom's crisis and the site where the prince will make his sacrifice.
Image Prompt & Upload
A serene, expansive lake at the heart of a European kingdom, reflecting a clear sky. In the middle, a large, weathered grey stone breaks the surface, with a small, dark, three-cornered opening visible near its center. The water around the stone is calm, with subtle ripples. Distant, rolling hills covered in deciduous forests line the far shore. The overall lighting is soft and natural, suggesting either early morning or late afternoon. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
