THE CASTLE of GEMS
by Sophie May · from Fairy Book
Adapted Version
Once, a girl sat by a lake. A boy sat with her too. The lake was big and blue. The girl was Blanche. The boy was Victor. They sat in the warm sun. Then a magic thing happened!
A shiny boat came on the water. A fairy queen stood on the boat. She was very pretty. She had a long white dress. Her hair shone like gold.
The fairy stepped off the boat. She smiled at Blanche. "I have a gift for you," she said. "Ask for gold!" said Victor. But Blanche shook her head. "I do not know," she said. The fairy smiled. "That is a good answer," she said. "A kind heart knows best."
The fairy held out a tiny seed. She put it in Blanche's hand. Then a great thing happened! A big white flower grew right there. It grew so fast! It was a lily! "This lily has magic," said the fairy. "It can open any door. Keep it safe." Blanche held the lily close. It was so soft and white.
Blanche looked at Victor. "I want him to be happy," she said. The fairy looked at her. "He may go far away. He may forget you." Victor shook his head. "I will not forget Blanche!" he said. "I promise!"
Then the fairy gave Victor a gift too. It was a pair of glasses. "These are Eyes of Wisdom," she said. "You can see what is true." Victor put them on. He could see new things! He could see kind thoughts. He could see sad thoughts too. The fairy smiled at them both. Then she got on her boat. The boat sailed far away.
The next day, Blanche looked at her lily. It had changed! The petals were white like pearls. The leaves were green like bright gems. And it never wilted. Not ever! People loved Blanche. She was so kind. The lily showed her kind heart. It glowed when she was near.
Victor put on his magic glasses. He went far away. He went across the sea. He found a sick girl. No one could help her. But Victor saw a spring. He got water from the spring. The girl drank it. She got well! "Victor is so wise!" people said. They clapped and cheered.
The people wanted Victor to stay. But he thought of Blanche. He missed her so much. "Be our king!" they said. Victor was brave. He was wise. So he became their king.
King Victor built a big castle. It was made of shiny gems. Red rubies shone on the walls. Green gems shone on the doors. White pearls shone on the roof. "Only good people can come in," he said. He put a magic lock on the door. He was very proud of it.
Then Victor walked to the door. But the door did not open! Victor was sad. He sat down on the ground. "Why?" he asked. Then he knew. He was too proud. He thought he was better. "I am not good," he said. He bowed his head. A tear fell down his cheek.
Victor went back to find Blanche. He walked a long, long way. "I was wrong to be proud," he said. "Will you come with me?" Blanche smiled. "I will come with you," she said. They got married. But Blanche did not know it yet. She was now a queen!
They went to the castle. The door was still locked. No one could get in. Blanche held up her lily. She touched the door with it. The door opened wide! Light came out. Victor walked in. Kind people came in too. The magic lily let them all in!
Inside, the lily glowed bright. Its light touched all the people. Sad people became happy. Sick people felt well. All of them smiled. The castle was full of light. It was warm and soft. It felt like a home.
Victor and Blanche were king and queen. They were kind to all. Their land was a happy place. And they lived happy ever after. A kind heart is the best magic.
Original Story
THE CASTLE OF GEMS.
Once upon a time, though I cannot tell when, and in what country I do not now remember, there lived a maiden as fair as a lily, as gentle as a dewdrop, and as modest as a violet. A pure, sweet name she had,—it was Blanche.
She stood one evening, with her friend Victor, by the shore of a lake. Never had the youth or maiden seen the moonlight so enchanting; but they did not know
“It was midsummer day,
When all the fairy people
From elf-land come away.”
Presently, while they gazed at the lake, which shone like liquid emerald and sapphire and topaz, a boat, laden with strangely beautiful beings, glided towards them across the waters. The fair voyagers were clad in robes of misty blue with white mantles about their waists, and on their heads wreaths of valley-lilies.
They were all as fair as need be; but fairest of all was the helms-woman, the queen of the fairies. Her face was soft and clear like moonlight; and she wore a crown of nine large diamonds, which refracted the evening rays, and formed nine lunar rainbows.
The fairies were singing a roundelay; and, as the melody floated over the waters, Victor and Blanche listened with throbbing hearts. Fairy music has almost passed away from the earth; but those who hear it are strangely moved, and have dreams of beautiful things which have been, and may be again.
“It makes me think of the days of long ago when there was no sin,” whispered Blanche.
“It makes me long to be a hero,” answered Victor with a sparkling eye.
All the while the pearly boat was drifting toward the youth and maiden; and, when it had touched the shore, the queen stepped out upon the land as lightly as if she had been made entirely of dewdrops.
“I am Fontana,” said she; “and is this Blanche?”
She laid her soft hand upon the maiden’s shoulder; and Blanche thought she would like to die then and there, so full was she of joy.
“I have heard of thy good heart, my maiden: now what would please thee most?” said the queen.
Blanche bowed her head, and dared not speak.
Queen Fontana smiled: when she smiled it was as if a soft cloud had slid away from the moon, revealing a beautiful light.
“Say pearls and diamonds,” said Victor in her ear.
“I don’t know,” whispered Blanche: “they are not the best things.”
“No,” said the queen kindly: “pearls and diamonds are not the best things.”
Then Blanche knew that her whisper had been overheard, and she hid her face in her hands for shame. But the queen only smiled down on her, and, without speaking, dropped into the ground a little seed. Right at the feet of Blanche, it fell; and, in a moment, two green leaves shot upward, and between them a spotless lily, which hung its head with modest grace.
Victor gazed at the perfect flower in wonder, and, before he knew it, said aloud, “Ah, how like Blanche!”
The queen herself broke it from the stem, and gave it to the maiden, saying,—
“Take it! it is my choicest gift. Till it fades (which will never be), love will be thine; and, in time to come, it will have power to open the strongest locks, and swing back the heaviest doors.
“‘Gates of brass cannot withstand
One touch of this magic wand.’”
Blanche looked up to thank the queen; but no words came,—only tears.
“I see a wish in thine eyes,” said Fontana.
“It is for Victor,” faltered Blanche, at last: “he wishes to be rich and great.”
The queen looked grave.
“Shall I make him one of the great men of the earth, little Blanche? Then he may one day go to the ends of the world, and forget thee.”
Blanche only smiled, and Victor’s cheek flushed.
“I shall be a great man,” said he,—“perhaps a prince; but, where I go, Blanche shall go: she will be my wife.”
“That is well,” said the queen: “never forget Blanche, for her love will be your dearest blessing.”
Then, removing from her girdle a pair of spectacles, she placed them in the youth’s hand. He drew back in surprise. “Does she take me for an old man?” thought he. He had expected a casket of gems at least; perhaps a crown.
“Wait,” said Fontana: “they are the eyes of Wisdom. When you have learned their use, you will not despise my gift. Keep a pure heart, and always remember Blanche. And now farewell!”
So saying, she moved on to the boat, floating over the ground as softly as a creeping mist.
When Blanche awoke next morning, her first thought was, “Happy are the maidens who have sweet dreams!” for she thought she had only been wandering in a midsummer’s night’s dream; so, when she saw her lily in the broken pitcher where she had placed it, great was her delight. But a change had come over it during the night. It was no longer a common lily,—its petals were large pearls, and the green leaves were now green emeralds. This strange thing had happened to the flower, that it might never fade.
After this, people looked at Blanche, and said, “How is it? she grows fairer every day!” and every one loved her; for the human heart has no choice but to love what is good and gentle.
As for Victor, he at first put on his spectacles with a scornful smile: but, when he had worn them a moment, he found them very wonderful things. When he looked through them, he could see people’s thoughts written out on their faces; he could easily decipher the fine writing which you see traced on green leaves; and found there were long stories written on pebbles in little black and gray dots.
When he wore the spectacles, he looked so wise, that Blanche hardly dared speak to him. She saw that one day he was to become a great man.
At last Victor said he must leave his home, and sail across the seas. Tears filled the eyes of Blanche; but the youth whispered,—
“I am going away to find a home for you and me: so adieu, dearest Blanche!”
Now Victor thought the ship in which he sailed moved very slowly; for he longed to reach the land which he could see through his magic spectacles: it was a beautiful kingdom, rich with mines of gold and silver.
When the ship touched shore, the streets were lined with people who walked to and fro with sad faces. The king’s daughter, a beautiful young maiden, was very ill; and it was feared she must die.
Victor asked one of the people if there was no hope.
It so happened that this man was the greatest physician in the kingdom and he answered,—
“Alas, there is no hope!”
Then Victor went to a distant forest where he knew a healing spring was to be found. Very few remembered it was there; and those who had seen it did not know of its power to heal disease.
Victor filled a crystal goblet with the precious water, and carried it to the palace. The old king shook his head sadly, but consented to let the attendants moisten the parched lips of the princess with the water, as it could do no harm. Far from doing harm, it wrought a great good; and, in time, the royal maiden was restored to health.
Then, for gratitude, the king would have given his daughter to Victor for a wife; but Victor remembered Blanche, and knew that no other maiden must be bride of his.
Not long after this, the king was lost overboard at sea during a storm. Now the people must have a new ruler. They determined to choose a wise and brave man; and, young as he was, no man could be found braver and wiser than Victor: so the people elected him for their king. Thus Fontana’s gift of the eyes of Wisdom had made him truly “one of the great men of earth.”
In her humble home, Blanche dreamed every night of Victor, and hoped he would grow good, if he did not become great; and Victor remembered Blanche, and knew that her love was his dearest blessing.
“This old palace,” thought he, “will never do for my beautiful bride.”
So he called together his people, and told them he must have a castle of gems. Some of the walls were to be of rubies, some of emeralds, some of pearls. There was to be any amount of beaten gold for doors and pillars; and the ceilings were to be of milk-white opals, with a rosy light which comes and goes.
All was done as he desired; and, when the castle of gems was finished, it would need a pen of jasponyx dipped in rainbows to describe it.
Victor thought he would not have a guard of soldiers for his castle, but would lock the four golden gates with a magic key, so that no one could enter unless the gates should swing back of their own accord.
When the castle of gems was just completed, and not a soul was in it, Victor locked the gates with a magic key, and then dropped the key into the ocean.
“Now,” thought he, “I have done a wise thing. None but the good and true can enter my castle of gems. The gates will not swing open for men with base thoughts or proud hearts!”
Then he hid himself under the shadow of a tree, and watched the people trying to enter. But they were proud men, and so the gates would not open.
King Victor laughed, and said to himself,—
“I have done a wise thing with my magic key. How safe I shall be in my castle of gems!”
So he stepped out of his hiding-place, and said to the people,—
“None but the good and true can get in.”
Then he tried to go in himself; but the gates would not move.
The king bowed his head in shame, and walked back to his old palace.
“Alas!” said he to himself, “wise and great as I am, I thought I could go in. I see it must be because I am filled with pride. Let me hide my face; for what would Blanche say if she knew, that, because my heart is proud, I am shut out of my own castle? I am not worthy that she should love me; but I hope I shall learn of her to be humble and good.”
The next day he sailed for the home of his childhood. When Blanche saw him, she blushed, and cast down her eyes; but Victor knew they were full of tears of joy. He held her hand, and whispered,—
“Will you go with me and be my bride, beautiful Blanche?”
“I will go with you,” she answered softly; and Victor’s heart rejoiced.
All the while Blanche never dreamed that he was a great prince, and that the men who came with him were his courtiers.
When they reached Victor’s kingdom, and the people shouted “Long live the queen!” Blanche veiled her face, and trembled; for Victor whispered in her ear that the shouts were for her. And, as the people saw her beautiful face through her gossamer veil, they cried all the more loudly,—
“Long live Queen Blanche! Thrice welcome, fair lady!”
The sun was sinking in the west, and his rays fell with dazzling splendor upon the castle of gems. When Blanche saw the silent, closed castle and its golden gates, she remembered the words of Queen Fontana, who had said that her lily should have power to “open the strongest locks, and swing back the heaviest doors.”
Like one walking in a dream, she led Victor toward the resplendent castle. She touched, with her lily, the lock which fastened one of the gates.
“Gates of gold could not withstand
One touch of that magic wand.”
In an instant, the hinges trembled; and the massive door swung open so far, that forty people could walk in side by side. Then it slowly closed, and locked itself without noise.
One of the people who passed in was the king, whose heart was no longer proud. The others, who had entered unwittingly, could not speak for wonder. Some of them were poor, and some were lame or blind; but all were good and true.
At the rising of the moon a wonderful thing came to pass. The people entered the castle of gems, and became beautiful. This was through the power of the magic lily.
Now there were no more crooked backs and lame feet and sightless eyes; and the king looked at these people, who were beautiful as well as good, and declared he would have them live in the castle; and the gentlemen should be knights; and the ladies, maids of honor.
To this day Victor and Blanche rule the kingdom; and such is the charm of the lily,—so like the pure heart of the queen,—that the people are becoming gentle and good.
Until Queen Fontana shall call for the magic spectacles and the lily of pearl, it is believed that Victor and Blanche will live in the castle of gems, though the time should be a hundred years.
Story DNA
Moral
True wisdom and lasting happiness come from a pure heart, humility, and selfless love, not from material riches or pride.
Plot Summary
Blanche and Victor meet the fairy queen Fontana, who gifts Blanche a magical lily representing pure love and Victor 'eyes of Wisdom' spectacles. Victor uses his wisdom to become a king but builds a Castle of Gems that his pride prevents him from entering. Humbled, he returns for Blanche, who, now his queen, uses her magic lily to open the castle gates. Inside, the lily transforms all who enter, making them beautiful and whole, and Victor and Blanche rule justly, their kingdom flourishing through goodness and humility.
Themes
Emotional Arc
innocence to wisdom
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Sophie May (Rebecca Sophia Clarke) was a popular American children's author in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, known for her moralistic and gentle stories.
Plot Beats (14)
- Blanche and Victor are by a lake on midsummer's day when a boat of fairies, led by Queen Fontana, approaches them.
- Fontana offers Blanche a gift; Blanche, prompted by Victor to ask for gems, instead expresses uncertainty, which Fontana praises.
- Fontana gives Blanche a lily seed, which instantly grows into a perfect lily, symbolizing pure love and having the power to open locks.
- Blanche wishes for Victor to be rich and great, and Fontana warns that he might forget her, but Victor promises eternal loyalty.
- Fontana gives Victor a pair of 'eyes of Wisdom' spectacles, which allow him to see people's thoughts and decipher nature's secrets.
- Blanche's lily transforms into a permanent flower of pearls and emeralds, making her increasingly beautiful and loved.
- Victor uses his spectacles to gain wisdom, travels to a new kingdom, and heals the king's daughter with water from a forgotten spring.
- Victor refuses the princess's hand in marriage, remembering Blanche, and is later elected king for his wisdom and bravery.
- King Victor, remembering Blanche, builds a magnificent Castle of Gems for his bride, locking it with a magic key that only the 'good and true' can open.
- Victor tries to enter his own castle but is rejected by the gates, realizing his pride makes him unworthy.
- Humbled, Victor returns for Blanche, and they marry, with Blanche unknowingly becoming queen.
- Blanche, remembering Fontana's words, touches the castle gates with her magic lily, and they swing open for her, Victor, and other good-hearted people.
- Inside the castle, the lily's power transforms the people, making them beautiful and whole.
- Victor and Blanche rule their kingdom, fostering goodness and gentleness, living happily ever after with their magical gifts.
Characters
Blanche ★ protagonist
Slender and graceful, with a delicate build. Her beauty is compared to a lily, suggesting fair skin and an ethereal quality. She is not explicitly described in terms of height or specific ethnic features, but her name and the story's general European fairy tale context suggest a European appearance.
Attire: Simple, modest attire befitting a maiden from an unspecified European setting, likely linen or wool in muted colors, though not explicitly detailed. When she becomes queen, she wears a 'gossamer veil' over her beautiful face.
Wants: To maintain her pure heart, to see Victor achieve his dreams, and to share a life with him. She desires goodness for herself and others.
Flaw: Her extreme modesty and shyness can make her hesitant to speak her mind or assert herself, initially relying on Victor to speak for her.
Begins as a modest maiden, unsure of her own desires. She receives the gift of the magic lily, which embodies her pure heart. She remains true to her nature and her love for Victor, eventually becoming a beloved queen whose purity transforms her kingdom.
Gentle, modest, pure-hearted, loving, humble, and compassionate. She values goodness over material wealth.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young woman with a delicate build and fair skin, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. She has soft, gentle features, a modest expression, and light-colored hair styled simply. She wears a simple, modest, light-colored linen dress, perhaps with subtle embroidery. In her hands, she gently holds a lily with large, lustrous pearl petals and vibrant green emerald leaves. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Victor ★ protagonist
A youth of unspecified height and build, but described as brave and wise. His appearance is not detailed beyond a 'sparkling eye' when dreaming of heroism, suggesting vitality and ambition.
Attire: Initially simple attire of a youth, later royal garments as a king, though not explicitly described. He would wear clothing befitting a European monarch of a fairy tale setting, possibly rich fabrics like velvet or silk, but without specific colors or styles mentioned.
Wants: To become rich and great, to be a hero, and to build a beautiful home for Blanche. Later, his motivation shifts to being a good and just ruler.
Flaw: Initial pride and a desire for material wealth and worldly greatness, which almost prevents him from entering his own castle.
Starts as an ambitious youth desiring wealth and greatness. He receives the 'eyes of Wisdom' and uses them to become a wise king, but his pride initially prevents him from entering his own castle. He learns humility through this experience and returns to Blanche, becoming a good and just ruler alongside her.
Ambitious, brave, initially somewhat materialistic (desiring pearls and diamonds), wise (after using the spectacles), loyal (to Blanche), and eventually humble.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young man with a determined expression, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a strong, youthful build and an intelligent gaze. He wears simple, practical clothing of a European youth, perhaps a tunic and trousers, but later more regal attire. He holds a pair of simple, round-lensed spectacles in one hand, which seem to shimmer faintly. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Queen Fontana ◆ supporting
Fairest of all the fairies, with a face soft and clear like moonlight. Her movements are incredibly light, as if made of dewdrops, floating over the ground.
Attire: Robes of misty blue with white mantles about her waist, and a wreath of valley-lilies on her head. Her crown is made of nine large diamonds.
Wants: To bestow gifts of true value (love, wisdom, purity) upon deserving mortals and to guide them towards goodness.
Flaw: None apparent; she embodies pure benevolence and wisdom.
A static character who serves as a magical benefactor, initiating the protagonists' journey with her gifts and wisdom.
Kind, wise, benevolent, observant, and generous. She understands the true value of things beyond material wealth.
Image Prompt & Upload
An ethereal fairy queen with luminous, moon-like skin and soft, clear features, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. She has flowing, light-colored hair and a serene, kind expression. She wears flowing robes of misty blue with a white mantle draped around her waist, and a wreath of delicate white valley-lilies on her head. A crown of nine large, sparkling diamonds rests upon her brow. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Lakeshore at Midsummer
A tranquil lakeshore under enchanting moonlight, reflecting like liquid emerald, sapphire, and topaz. The air is still and magical, indicative of midsummer.
Mood: Magical, serene, expectant, slightly mysterious
Blanche and Victor encounter Queen Fontana and receive their magical gifts: the lily of pearls and emeralds, and the spectacles of Wisdom.
Image Prompt & Upload
A serene, moonlit lakeshore. The water reflects the moonlight with shimmering hues of emerald, sapphire, and topaz, appearing almost liquid. Gentle ripples disturb the surface as a pearly, ethereal boat, adorned with glowing valley-lilies, approaches the grassy bank. The air is soft and still, with a faint, magical glow emanating from the water and the boat. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Blanche's Humble Home
A simple, humble dwelling, likely a small cottage, where Blanche lives. It contains a broken pitcher where she keeps her magical lily.
Mood: Humble, innocent, filled with quiet joy and wonder
Blanche discovers her lily has transformed into pearls and emeralds, signifying its magical nature and her growing beauty and goodness.
Image Prompt & Upload
The interior of a humble, sunlit cottage. A simple wooden table stands near a small window, through which soft morning light streams. On the table, a chipped earthenware pitcher holds a single, radiant lily with petals of large, luminous pearls and leaves of vibrant green emeralds. The room is sparsely furnished, with rough-hewn timber walls and a plain, woven rug on the floor, conveying a sense of quiet simplicity. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Distant Healing Forest
A remote, ancient forest, largely forgotten by people, where a powerful healing spring is hidden. The forest is dense and secluded.
Mood: Secluded, ancient, mysterious, holding hidden power
Victor, guided by the spectacles of Wisdom, finds the healing spring to cure the princess, demonstrating his wisdom and good heart.
Image Prompt & Upload
A dense, ancient forest bathed in dappled sunlight. Towering, moss-covered trees with gnarled branches form a thick canopy, filtering light onto a forest floor covered in ferns and rich, dark soil. Hidden deep within, a small, clear spring bubbles up from mossy rocks, its water sparkling with an ethereal glow. The air is cool and still, with a sense of forgotten magic. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
The Castle of Gems
A magnificent castle built by Victor, with walls of rubies, emeralds, and pearls. Doors and pillars are of beaten gold, and ceilings are milk-white opals with a rosy, shifting light. It has four golden gates locked by a magic key.
Mood: Resplendent, awe-inspiring, initially exclusive, later welcoming and transformative
Blanche, with her magic lily, opens the golden gates of the castle, allowing only the good and true to enter, and transforming them into beautiful beings.
Image Prompt & Upload
A breathtaking castle at golden hour, its walls shimmering with embedded rubies, emeralds, and pearls, catching the last rays of the setting sun. Four massive golden gates stand at the entrance, intricately carved and gleaming. The architecture is grand and fantastical, with towering spires and ornate details, reflecting an opulent, almost otherworldly beauty. The sky is awash with warm orange and pink hues, casting a radiant glow over the entire structure. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
