Prince Wondrous: The Tale of the Bear’s Head

The Queen’s Wish

Once upon a time, in a distant land, there lived a queen named Amata. Amata’s dearest wish was to have a son, and one day, her dream came true when a baby boy was born. However, when Amata saw him, she shrieked and fainted, for he had the head of a bear. When Amata opened her eyes, the Good Fairy was standing by her bedside, trying to comfort the sorrowful king and queen.

The Curse of the Wicked Fairy

“The Wicked Fairy is angry because you did not invite her to your wedding,” said the Good Fairy. “She has put a spell on your son and changed his head into that of a bear. Take your son away to the countryside, where the Wicked Fairy cannot find him and do him any more harm. Do not worry, for despite having a bear’s head, he will grow up to be kind, loving, clever, and brave. There is one chance for your son to break the spell. I cannot do it for him, but I can tell you that if he finds someone who loves him enough to change heads with him and wear the head of a bear, the prince will regain his true form.”

The Good Fairy informed them that the baby’s name would be Prince Wondrous, and then she disappeared.

A Lonely Childhood

The queen found a kind nurse to look after the baby and sent them away to a small cottage in the countryside, where Prince Wondrous grew up. Everyone called him Bear, and he grew up very lonely. Although he had a gentle nature, everyone who saw him was frightened and ran away in terror.

A New Friendship

One day, as Bear was wandering in the woods, feeling miserable, he saw a girl sleeping under a tree. As he gazed at her, he thought she was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. When the girl opened her eyes and saw Bear’s head, she was frightened at first, but she quickly realized his kind heart. Bear spoke softly and gently, calming her fears. The girl returned with him to the cottage, and her name was Violet. The queen loved the little girl at once and decided to raise her as her daughter.

Facing Danger Together

Violet told the queen that she had run away from her cruel stepmother. She stayed at the cottage with Bear, and they grew up together, loving each other dearly. During the long summer days, they played together in the woods, and time passed swiftly now that Bear had a companion.

One day, while playing, Bear was chasing a squirrel and Violet was by a brook when a huge, ugly toad jumped out of the water. The toad seized Violet by the foot and tried to drag her into the brook. Violet’s screams brought Bear running to rescue her. He jumped into the water and pulled her from the toad’s grip, but the toad spat its venom at him. At first, he felt no ill effects, but when they returned home, Bear fell ill, and Violet sat by his bedside, weeping.

The Fairy’s Help

As she wept, a lark perched on the window sill and began to sing. “I am the Good Fairy,” trilled the lark. “The toad that attacked was the Wicked Fairy, who wishes nothing but evil upon Bear and his family. If you want to save Bear’s life, you must kiss him three times on the left ear.”

Violet followed the fairy’s advice, and immediately Bear began to recover.

More Challenges Ahead

As time passed, they forgot about the Wicked Fairy and played happily as before. One day, Bear ran ahead while Violet was chasing him when a big boar charged from the bushes. Violet hid behind a tree as it rushed to attack her. Hearing her cries for help, Bear returned and threw himself at the boar. The creature knocked him to the ground, but just then, a lark dove down and attacked the boar. It was the Good Fairy in disguise, and upon recognizing her, the boar fled in terror.

A Desperate Sacrifice

From that day on, Bear would not allow Violet out of his sight, fearing the Wicked Fairy might attempt to carry her away. One night, their cottage caught fire. Queen Amata, Violet, and Bear’s old nurse would have perished if Bear had not carried them to safety in his strong arms.

<p“This is the third time dear Bear has saved my life,” Violet said to Queen Amata. “Is there nothing I can do for him in return?” <p“Alas, my dear child, there is only one thing you can do for Bear,” replied the queen, “but I’m afraid it is too much to ask.” <p“Please tell me what it is,” Violet insisted. “No matter how hard, I shall do it for him, as he is so kind.”

The Good Fairy’s Magic

The queen explained about the Wicked Fairy’s spell and how it could only be broken by someone who loved Bear enough to change heads and wear the bear’s head.

<p“I would not be alive now if it weren’t for Bear,” Violet declared. “I shall ask the Good Fairy how I can change heads so that I can wear the bear’s head and restore the prince to his true form.”

The Good Fairy appeared in her carriage, drawn by three white swans. “Are you sure you love Bear enough to make this great sacrifice for him? Think carefully before you decide, my dear,” she said.

<p“Yes,” Violet confirmed. “I would do anything for Bear.” The Good Fairy touched her with her magic wand, transforming Violet’s face and neck into thick, shaggy fur as her head turned into that of a bear. At the same moment, Bear transformed into a handsome young prince with fair, smooth skin.

The Wicked Fairy’s Defeat

Suddenly, a peal of thunder resounded, and the carriage of the Wicked Fairy crashed to the ground, drawn by three huge, coal-black ravens. She let out an ugly scream upon seeing Bear transformed into a handsome prince and Violet with the head of a bear. She had believed that no one could love Bear enough to wear his ugly head, and she was too late to stop it.

The Good Fairy turned to the Wicked Fairy and tapped her with her wand. “Your spell has been broken for good,” she declared. “You no longer have any power here.”

With a horrid cackle, the Wicked Fairy shrivelled up and suddenly transformed into a hideous toad, hopping away while screeching.

A Happy Ending

<p“You need never worry about her again,” said the Good Fairy. “She has been defeated, and she will never again have the power to harm anyone.” The Good Fairy poured a silver liquid onto Violet’s head and neck. As the liquid touched her, the thick fur fell away, and Violet became a beautiful girl once more.

Bear was able to return to his father’s kingdom as a handsome prince. No one ever called him Bear again; he was known as Prince Wondrous. The first thing he did upon returning to the kingdom was to marry Violet and make her a real princess.