3\. She Can't Be Ours
by George MacDonald · from The Light Princess
Adapted Version
A new baby princess was born. She was very small and very cute.
A bad witch did not like the baby. The bad witch was very mean. She used her magic. She made the Baby Princess float. The baby had no weight. She could not stay down.
The Nurse held the Baby Princess. She tried to rock her. But the baby did not go down. The baby flew up. She went to the ceiling. The baby laughed. She kicked her small feet. The Nurse was very surprised.
The Nurse was scared. She called for help. A small ladder came. The Nurse climbed the ladder. She went to the top. She reached for the baby. She caught the baby's clothes. She brought the baby down.
The King held the Baby Princess. He felt no weight. The baby went up. She floated to the ceiling. She laughed a lot. The King looked up. He was very amazed. His beard shook a little.
The King was shocked. He looked at the Queen. He said, "She is not our baby! She cannot be ours!" He gasped.
The Queen was very clever. She thought about it. She knew who did it. She said, "A bad witch used magic. She used it at the christening. People not invited were there. This is why the baby floats." She was right.
The King heard the Queen. He tapped his head. "Yes!" he said. "You are right. The bad witch did this."
The King needed the baby down. He called for a big ladder. The Helper brought the ladder. They put it on a table. The table was very tall. The ladder was also tall.
The Helper climbed the big ladder. He stood on the top. The Baby Princess was still high. She was like a cloud. She laughed and laughed. The Helper could not reach her. She was too far away.
The King had a new idea. He gave the Helper long tongs. The Helper took the tongs. He reached up with the long tongs. He reached very high. He caught the baby's long clothes. He held them with the tongs. He brought the Baby Princess down. The baby was safe. She still laughed a lot.
The King and Queen smiled. They knew their baby was special. And the Baby Princess floated happily ever after.
Original Story
3. She Can't Be Ours.
Her atrocious aunt had deprived the child of all her gravity. If you ask me how this was effected, I answer, "In the easiest way in the world. She had only to destroy gravitation." For the princess was a philosopher, and knew all the ins and outs of the laws of gravitation as well as the ins and outs of her boot-lace. And being a witch as well, she could abrogate those laws in a moment; or at least so clog their wheels and rust their bearings, that they would not work at all. But we have more to do with what followed than with how it was done.
The first awkwardness that resulted from this unhappy privation was, that the moment the nurse began to float the baby up and down, she flew from her arms towards the ceiling. Happily, the resistance of the air brought her ascending career to a close within a foot of it. There she remained, horizontal as when she left her nurse's arms, kicking and laughing amazingly. The nurse in terror flew to the bell, and begged the footman, who answered it, to bring up the house-steps directly. Trembling in every limb, she climbed upon the steps, and had to stand upon the very top, and reach up, before she could catch the floating tail of the baby's long clothes.
When the strange fact came to be known, there was a terrible commotion in the palace. The occasion of its discovery by the king was naturally a repetition of the nurse's experience. Astonished that he felt no weight when the child was laid in his arms, he began to wave her up and not down, for she slowly ascended to the ceiling as before, and there remained floating in perfect comfort and satisfaction, as was testified by her peals of tiny laughter. The king stood staring up in speechless amazement, and trembled so that his beard shook like grass in the wind. At last, turning to the queen, who was just as horror-struck as himself, he said, gasping, staring, and stammering,—
"She can't be ours, queen!"
Now the queen was much cleverer than the king, and had begun already to suspect that "this effect defective came by cause."
"I am sure she is ours," answered she. "But we ought to have taken better care of her at the christening. People who were never invited ought not to have been present."
"Oh, ho!" said the king, tapping his forehead with his forefinger, "I have it all. I've found her out. Don't you see it, queen? Princess Makemnoit has bewitched her." "That's just what I say," answered the queen.
"I beg your pardon, my love; I did not hear you.—John! bring the steps I get on my throne with."
For he was a little king with a great throne, like many other kings.
The throne-steps were brought, and set upon the dining-table, and John got upon the top of them. But he could not reach the little princess, who lay like a baby-laughter-cloud in the air, exploding continuously. "Take the tongs, John," said his Majesty; and getting up on the table, he handed them to him.
John could reach the baby now, and the little princess was handed down by the tongs.
Story DNA
Plot Summary
A wicked aunt curses a newborn princess, removing her gravity. The nurse discovers the baby floats to the ceiling, causing panic. The king experiences the same phenomenon and, in shock, declares the baby cannot be theirs. The clever queen deduces that an uninvited witch, Princess Makemnoit, is responsible. Eventually, the king and his footman use throne-steps and tongs to retrieve the perpetually laughing, floating baby from the ceiling.
Themes
Emotional Arc
surprise to acceptance
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
George MacDonald was a Victorian author, and his fairy tales often blend Christian allegory with fantastical elements, though this excerpt is primarily whimsical.
Plot Beats (10)
- The wicked aunt, a witch, removes the baby princess's gravity.
- The nurse tries to rock the baby, but she floats to the ceiling, laughing.
- The terrified nurse uses house-steps to retrieve the baby by her clothes.
- The king is astonished when the baby floats from his arms to the ceiling.
- The king, in shock, declares the baby cannot be theirs.
- The clever queen realizes the uninvited Princess Makemnoit must have bewitched the child at the christening.
- The king agrees with the queen's deduction.
- The king orders his throne-steps to be brought, which are placed on a dining table.
- A footman climbs the steps but still cannot reach the baby.
- The king hands the footman tongs, enabling him to reach and bring down the floating princess.
Characters
The Princess ★ protagonist
A very young infant, small and light, with no discernible weight. She is described as a 'baby-laughter-cloud' in the air.
Attire: Long baby clothes, likely made of soft linen or cotton, appropriate for a royal infant of the period. The 'floating tail of the baby's long clothes' suggests a traditional christening gown or swaddling.
Wants: To experience the world with her unique ability, to play and laugh.
Flaw: Her lack of gravity makes her difficult to handle and keeps her out of reach.
At the beginning of the story, she is a helpless infant, but her unique condition sets the stage for her future adventures.
Joyful, content, playful, resilient (unbothered by her unusual condition).
Image Prompt & Upload
A very young infant, floating horizontally in the air, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. She has soft, light baby hair, round, joyful eyes, and fair skin with rosy cheeks. She wears a long, flowing cream-colored linen christening gown with delicate lace trim. Her tiny legs are kicking playfully, and her mouth is open in a wide, happy laugh. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The King ◆ supporting
A 'little king' in stature, with a beard that shakes when he trembles. His build is not specified but implied to be average or slightly small.
Attire: Royal attire, though not explicitly detailed. Given his status, he would wear rich fabrics like velvet or silk, possibly with embroidery, appropriate for a European monarch of a fairy tale setting.
Wants: To understand and resolve the strange condition of his daughter, to protect his family.
Flaw: Slow to understand complex or magical situations, easily overwhelmed by the unexpected.
He begins in utter bewilderment and fear but eventually accepts his wife's explanation and takes action to retrieve his daughter.
Astonished, easily flustered, somewhat slow to grasp unusual situations, loving towards his child, prone to gasping and stammering when shocked.
Image Prompt & Upload
A middle-aged man of short stature, facing forward, full body visible head to toe. He has a neatly trimmed brown beard that trembles slightly, wide blue eyes, and a fair complexion. He wears a rich, dark blue velvet tunic with gold embroidery at the collar and cuffs, a golden sash, and dark breeches. A small golden crown rests on his head. He stands with a posture of bewildered amazement, looking upwards. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Queen ◆ supporting
Her physical description is not detailed, but she is implied to be of regal bearing. She is described as 'much cleverer than the king'.
Attire: Royal attire, likely a gown of fine silk or brocade, with period-appropriate embellishments for a European queen. Perhaps a soft, flowing dress in a rich color.
Wants: To protect her daughter, to understand and resolve the magical affliction, to guide her husband.
Flaw: Not explicitly stated, but perhaps a tendency to be overly trusting, leading to the christening incident.
She quickly understands the magical cause of her daughter's condition and provides the solution, demonstrating her wisdom.
Clever, perceptive, calm under pressure, quick-witted, decisive, maternal.
Image Prompt & Upload
A regal middle-aged woman, facing forward, full body visible head to toe. She has dark, elegant hair styled in an updo, intelligent brown eyes, and fair skin. She wears a flowing gown of deep emerald green silk with a modest neckline and long sleeves, adorned with subtle gold embroidery. A delicate silver circlet rests on her head. She stands with a composed and thoughtful expression, a slight knowing smile on her lips. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Nurse ◆ supporting
Her physical description is not detailed, but she is depicted as trembling in terror. Her build is likely average, allowing her to climb steps.
Attire: Practical, modest clothing suitable for a nurse in a royal household, likely a simple linen dress or smock with an apron, in muted colors.
Wants: To care for the baby princess and ensure her safety, despite the terrifying circumstances.
Flaw: Her fear makes her easily overwhelmed by the magical event.
She experiences the initial shock of the princess's condition and acts to retrieve her, highlighting the immediate danger.
Terrified, diligent (in trying to retrieve the baby), easily panicked, responsible.
Image Prompt & Upload
A middle-aged woman, facing forward, full body visible head to toe. She has light brown hair pulled back in a neat bun, wide, fearful grey eyes, and a pale complexion. She wears a simple, long-sleeved cream linen dress with a plain white apron tied over it. Her hands are outstretched as if reaching, and her posture is one of extreme anxiety and trembling. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
John ○ minor
His physical description is not detailed, but he is tall enough to require steps to reach the princess, even on a table. He is a footman.
Attire: Livery of a footman in a royal household, likely a tailored jacket, waistcoat, breeches, and stockings, in the royal colors.
Wants: To serve the royal family and carry out his duties.
Flaw: Not applicable; he is a minor character serving a specific function.
He serves as a practical helper in retrieving the princess, demonstrating the logistical challenges of her condition.
Obedient, helpful, practical, calm (compared to the King and Nurse).
Image Prompt & Upload
A tall, young adult man, facing forward, full body visible head to toe. He has short, neatly combed dark brown hair, alert brown eyes, and a clean-shaven face. He wears a formal red and gold livery jacket with brass buttons, a white waistcoat, white breeches, and black polished shoes. He holds a pair of long, silver metal tongs in his gloved hands, extended upwards. He has a focused, obedient expression. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Princess Makemnoit ⚔ antagonist
Not explicitly described, but implied to be a witch and the 'atrocious aunt'. Her appearance would likely be imposing or sinister, befitting a powerful witch.
Attire: Not specified, but would be fitting for a witch of royal lineage, perhaps dark, flowing robes with subtle magical embellishments, or a more severe, elegant style.
Wants: To cause mischief or harm to the royal family, possibly out of spite for not being invited to the christening.
Flaw: Not revealed in this excerpt, but her overconfidence in her magic might be a flaw.
She initiates the central conflict of the story by cursing the princess, but her direct actions are not shown in this excerpt.
Atrocious, malicious, powerful, vengeful (implied by her actions), cunning.
Image Prompt & Upload
A middle-aged woman with sharp, angular features, facing forward, full body visible head to toe. She has long, dark, slightly disheveled hair, piercing green eyes, and a pale, unsmiling face. She wears a flowing, dark purple velvet gown with wide sleeves and a high collar, adorned with subtle silver embroidery depicting arcane symbols. Her posture is confident and slightly menacing, with a hint of a smirk on her lips. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
The Royal Nursery
A room within the palace, likely spacious and well-appointed, where the royal baby is cared for. It has a high ceiling.
Mood: Initially calm, then quickly shifts to terror and bewilderment.
The nurse first discovers the baby's lack of gravity as she floats to the ceiling, leading to the initial panic.
Image Prompt & Upload
A grand, high-ceilinged nursery in a Scottish baronial castle, with tall, leaded-glass windows letting in soft, diffused light. Heavy tapestries depicting mythical creatures hang on stone walls, and a large, ornate wooden cradle sits on a polished oak floor. A small, intricately carved wooden rocking horse is visible in the corner. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
The Royal Dining Hall
A formal dining area in the palace, large enough to accommodate a dining table and the king's throne steps. It also has a high ceiling.
Mood: Initially one of royal routine, then astonishment, confusion, and a touch of absurdity.
The king experiences the baby's weightlessness, leading to his realization of the enchantment. The baby is retrieved using the throne steps and tongs.
Image Prompt & Upload
A vast dining hall within a Scottish baronial castle, featuring a long, heavy oak dining table set with pewter plates and tall candlesticks. The walls are clad in dark, polished wood panels, and a massive stone fireplace dominates one end. High, arched windows overlook a misty, heather-covered landscape, and a grand chandelier hangs from the vaulted, timbered ceiling. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
