[at-l] The Once Upon a time version

[AT1996@aol.com]

Kahley and Felix:  how do you like this?

Once upon a time three fair princesses journeyed to a far place in search of 
beauty in nature (Mt. Mitchell).  The oldest princess (Barbara) was queenly 
in stature, the second princess (Gail) was full of adventure, and the third 
princess (Michelle) was known for her constant tripping.  Along with them was 
their manservant (Dan), who was secretly in love with the second princess.  
For this journey, the three princesses carried all they would need on their 
backs, except for the second princess, because the manservant lightened her 
load considerably.  (It is to be noted here that the second princess secretly 
loved the manservant in return)

Before too long, the third and youngest princess came upon a jolly friar and 
immediately fell backwards off the path.  The jolly friar laughed and 
reaching out, set her on her feet again,  slightly disheveled and soiled, but 
not hurt.   They all continued on their journey.  

Dusk was coming and chill was already in the air, so the four made 
preparations to spend the night.  A grassy place (Deep Gap) was chosen and 
sleeping quarters were made ready.  The manservant and the first princess 
went down the mountain to fetch water.  The second and third princesses made 
ready the beds.   Soon dinner was cooked and eaten and all were weary and 
ready for sleep.   The manservant kept watch over the princesses throughout 
the night (especially the second princess).  

The next morning they continued their journey.  Soon, though, it was 
discovered that someone must go ahead and let the king know the princesses 
were returning.  The manservant ran ahead.  The third princess went slightly 
ahead of the other princesses.  When the first and second princesses came 
around a corner, there lay the third princess, who had again fallen off the 
path.  The first and second princesses were not able to help her because they 
were full of mirth.  This left the third princess to aright herself, although 
now she was even more disheveled and soiled.  They came to the end of their 
journey and met their father, the king.  The king was so pleased that the 
manservant had kept his princesses safe, that he allowed him to chose one 
princess to wed.  Of course, he chose the second.  They all lived happily 
ever after.  
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