4\. Where Is She?
by George MacDonald
The Light Princess
The Princess sleeps. She is in her bed. A window is open. The sun shines bright. It is a warm summer day. The Princess sleeps well.
The Queen comes in the room. She opens another window. A Playful Wind comes inside. The wind is soft. It goes to the bed. The wind lifts The Princess. The Princess floats up. The Playful Wind carries her out. It goes through the window. The Princess floats away.
The Queen leaves the room. She does not know. She does not know about The Princess. The Princess is gone. The room is quiet.
The Nurse comes back. The Princess is not there. The Nurse thinks: "The Queen has The Princess." The Nurse waits. She does not ask. She waits a long time. She feels a little scared.
The Nurse is worried. She goes to The Queen. The Nurse asks The Queen. "Where is The Princess?" she asks. "Please, where is she?" The Nurse is very worried.
The Queen looks at The Nurse. "Where is she?" The Queen asks. The Nurse is sad. "I am sorry," she says. "I did wrong." The Queen does not know. She looks very grave.
The Queen knows now. The Princess is gone. The Queen is very sad. She falls down. The Queen faints. She cannot speak.
The Nurse screams loudly. She screams: "My baby! My baby!" Everyone hears her. They run fast.
Everyone looks for The Princess. They look everywhere. They find her outside. She is under a rose bush. The Princess sleeps. She has red rose petals on her. The Playful Wind put them there. She looks so sweet and calm.
The Princess wakes up. She sees the people. She laughs a big laugh. She throws the red petals. The petals fly everywhere. She is very happy. She claps her hands.
The Princess is very light. She can float. The palace people play with her. They toss her like a ball. The Princess laughs and laughs. She flies from hand to hand. Everyone is happy. They love to play. The Princess loves it too. It is a fun game.
Original Story
4\. Where Is She?
One fine summer day, a month after these her first adventures, during which time she had been very carefully watched, the princess was lying on the bed in the queen's own chamber, fast asleep. One of the windows was open, for it was noon, and the day was so sultry that the little girl was wrapped in nothing less ethereal than slumber itself. The queen came into the room, and not observing that the baby was on the bed, opened another window. A frolicsome fairy wind, which had been watching for a chance of mischief, rushed in at the one window, and taking its way over the bed where the child was lying, caught her up, and rolling and floating her along like a piece of flue, or a dandelion seed, carried her with it through the opposite window, and away. The queen went down-stairs, quite ignorant of the loss she had herself occasioned.
When the nurse returned, she supposed that her Majesty had carried her off, and, dreading a scolding, delayed making inquiry about her. But hearing nothing, she grew uneasy, and went at length to the queen's boudoir, where she found her Majesty.
"Please, your Majesty, shall I take the baby?" said she.
"Where is she?" asked the queen.
"Please forgive me. I know it was wrong."
"What do you mean?" said the queen, looking grave.
"Oh! don't frighten me, your Majesty!" exclaimed the nurse, clasping her hands.
The queen saw that something was amiss, and fell down in a faint. The nurse rushed about the palace, screaming, "My baby! my baby!"
Every one ran to the queen's room. But the queen could give no orders. They soon found out, however, that the princess was missing, and in a moment the palace was like a beehive in a garden; and in one minute more the queen was brought to herself by a great shout and a clapping of hands. They had found the princess fast asleep under a rose-bush, to which the elvish little wind-puff had carried her, finishing its mischief by shaking a shower of red rose-leaves all over the little white sleeper. Startled by the noise the servants made, she woke, and, furious with glee, scattered the rose-leaves in all directions, like a shower of spray in the sunset.
She was watched more carefully after this, no doubt; yet it would be endless to relate all the odd incidents resulting from this peculiarity of the young princess. But there never was a baby in a house, not to say a palace, that kept the household in such constant good humour, at least below-stairs. If it was not easy for her nurses to hold her, at least she made neither their arms nor their hearts ache. And she was so nice to play at ball with! There was positively no danger of letting her fall. They might throw her down, or knock her down, or push her down, but couldn't let her down. It is true, they might let her fly into the fire or the coal-hole, or through the window; but none of these accidents had happened as yet. If you heard peals of laughter resounding from some unknown region, you might be sure enough of the cause. Going down into the kitchen, or the room, you would find Jane and Thomas, and Robert and Susan, all and sum, playing at ball with the little princess. She was the ball herself, and did not enjoy it the less for that. Away she went, flying from one to another, screeching with laughter. And the servants loved the ball itself better even than the game. But they had to take some care how they threw her, for if she received an upward direction, she would never come down again without being fetched.
Characters
The Princess ★ protagonist
A very young infant, described as 'little' and 'white sleeper' when covered in rose-leaves. She is unusually light, almost ethereal, allowing her to be carried by a fairy wind and played with like a ball without harm. Her movements are quick and light.
Attire: Initially, 'wrapped in nothing less ethereal than slumber itself,' implying she was unclothed or in a very light swaddling. Later, she is simply referred to as 'the little princess,' suggesting typical infant attire for a royal baby of the era, likely fine linen or cotton swaddling clothes, possibly white or pale-colored.
Wants: To experience joy and play. She seems driven by an innate lightness and desire for amusement.
Flaw: Her extreme lightness makes her vulnerable to being carried away by winds or accidentally flying upwards if thrown too high, requiring retrieval.
She begins as a vulnerable infant easily carried away but quickly establishes her unique, joyful, and resilient character, becoming a source of constant amusement and good humor for the palace staff.
Playful, joyful, easily amused, resilient, and spirited. She 'screeches with laughter' and is 'furious with glee' when scattering rose-leaves. She enjoys being the center of attention and the game of being thrown around.
The Queen ◆ supporting
No specific physical description is given, but as a queen, she would likely carry herself with a certain regal bearing. She is prone to fainting under stress.
Attire: Implied to be royal attire of the period, likely a formal gown made of rich fabrics like silk or velvet, possibly with some embroidery or subtle embellishments, appropriate for a European monarch of the 19th century. Colors would be rich but not overly ostentatious for a private chamber.
Wants: To ensure the safety and well-being of her daughter, the princess.
Flaw: Her tendency to faint under stress, which incapacitates her during a crisis.
She begins somewhat unaware of her surroundings (opening a window without seeing the baby) but quickly becomes distressed and then relieved upon the princess's return, leading to increased vigilance.
Concerned, easily distressed, somewhat oblivious (initially not noticing the baby on the bed), loving towards her child.
The Nurse ◆ supporting
No specific physical description is given, but as a nurse in a royal household, she would likely be a sturdy and capable woman.
Attire: Practical, modest attire suitable for a royal nurse in 19th-century Europe. Likely a dark, durable wool or linen dress, possibly with a white apron and a white cap or coif covering her hair. Comfort and functionality would be prioritized over ornamentation.
Wants: To care for the princess and avoid the Queen's displeasure. Later, her primary motivation is to find the missing princess.
Flaw: Her fear of scolding leads her to delay reporting the princess missing, exacerbating the situation. She also panics easily.
She begins by making an error in judgment due to fear, then experiences intense panic and relief, ultimately leading to more careful watching of the princess.
Anxious, easily frightened, responsible (though initially negligent), devoted to the princess, prone to panic.
A Frolicsome Fairy Wind ○ minor
Invisible, but its effects are visible. It is described as 'elvish' and 'little,' suggesting a mischievous but not malicious nature.
Attire: N/A (invisible)
Wants: To cause 'mischief' and play, without any malicious intent.
Flaw: N/A (it's a force of nature/magic, not a character with flaws in the human sense)
It causes a brief incident by carrying the princess away and then leaves her under a rose bush, completing its 'mischief.'
Frolicsome, mischievous, playful, light-hearted.
Locations
Queen's Chamber
A regal bedchamber within a Scottish baronial-style palace, featuring heavy tapestries, a large four-poster bed, and tall, narrow windows with deep sills. The room is warm and still, with sunlight streaming through the open windows.
Mood: Initially peaceful and sleepy, then suddenly chaotic and panicked.
The princess is carried away by a fairy wind through the open windows.
Palace Garden
A formal garden adjacent to the Scottish baronial palace, featuring manicured rose bushes with vibrant red blooms. The ground is soft earth, and the air is filled with the scent of roses.
Mood: Serene and natural, then bustling with activity and relief.
The princess is found sleeping under a rose-bush, covered in red rose-leaves.
Palace Kitchen/Below-stairs
A bustling, warm kitchen or servants' common room in the lower levels of the Scottish baronial palace, characterized by sturdy timber beams, a large stone hearth, and practical, well-used furnishings. The air is filled with cheerful echoes of laughter.
Mood: Joyful, boisterous, and full of good humor.
The servants frequently play 'ball' with the princess, who flies through the air, shrieking with laughter.
Story DNA
Plot Summary
A baby princess, known for her unusual lightness, is carried away from her bed by a frolicsome fairy wind. Her disappearance causes panic and misunderstanding between the queen and the nurse. The princess is eventually found sleeping peacefully under a rose-bush. Her peculiar ability to float continues to be a source of joy and amusement for the palace servants, who playfully toss her around like a ball.
Themes
Emotional Arc
calm to panic to relief to joy
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 particular excerpt is purely whimsical.
Plot Beats (11)
- The baby princess is sleeping in the queen's chamber with an open window.
- The queen enters, opens another window, and a 'frolicsome fairy wind' carries the princess out.
- The queen leaves, unaware of what happened.
- The nurse returns, assumes the queen took the baby, and delays asking.
- The nurse, growing anxious, asks the queen about the baby.
- A misunderstanding ensues, with the queen asking 'Where is she?' and the nurse apologizing for a perceived wrong.
- The queen realizes the baby is missing and faints.
- The nurse screams, alerting the palace.
- Servants search and find the princess asleep under a rose-bush, covered in petals.
- The princess wakes, scattering rose-leaves in delight.
- The princess's peculiar lightness continues to be a source of amusement, especially for the servants who play 'ball' with her.
