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| Disney Cinderella |
Many
people are surprised when the read the original versions of fairy tales. We get
cleaned-up versions of them: Walt Disney
has made many old fairy-tales squeaky-clean; and we revise them so our children
won't be upset or traumatized by these old stories. But reading the originals
will shock and upset some people. In the original version of the "The
Sleeping Beauty," the Prince finds the Princess asleep, enjoys the
"first fruits of love" with the sleeping girl, and gets her pregnant.
She gives birth to twins and wakes up when they begin to nurse at her breasts.
Her father orders her killed, but the Prince shows up at the last moment to
marry her. In "Cinderella," one of
the stepsisters cuts off her toes so the slipper can fit; when the treachery of
the sisters is revealed, doves peck out their eyes, leaving them blind. And
most of the original tales of the Brothers Grimm … well, let's not talk about
those.
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| Dalin |
My
revision of the story of Cinderella, titled "Sunniva" takes the story in new directions. It is
told from the point of view of the Prince. Here is another thing about several
familiar fairy tales. The male protagonist in such stories doesn't even have a name, so he has
become "Prince Charming." He comes out of nowhere, has no backstory,
we know nothing about him, and yet he saves the day. I focus on his story, name
him Dalin, and give his character a little bit of substance. Sunniva is quite
different from the Cinderella of later versions.
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| Sunniva as a child |
The
story begins as Dalin, back from fighting in the crusader kingdom of Jerusalem,
leads a campaign to put down a revolt. He is a capable fighter and overcomes
the rebels, capturing their leader. As he is ready to execute the leader, his
wife, Lissette, shows up and pleads for his life. Lissette was Dalin's mistress when
he was a teenager and went on to marry the rebel. She says she knows where
Sunniva is and will tell him if he spares her husband. He agrees.
Dalin
remembers how he met Sunniva. The kingdom in dire circumstances, suffering
famine, plague, and impending invasion, the King, Dalin's father, summons Amalina, a sorceress, to
help. She brings her daughter, Sunniva (her husband is in exile). She and the
King make an arrangement. Her magic restores the health, prosperity, and
military strength of the kingdom. Amalina and her daughter reside at the
palace. The King makes Sunniva his ward. Dalin grows up with her and falls in
love with her. Eventually, however, as Christianity gains more of a foothold in
the kingdom, the King violates his word and dismisses Amalina. Because he made himself
godfather to Sunniva, however, she stays on in the castle. Dalin's father tells
him he will soon be married off to a local princess to cement an alliance with
a neighboring kingdom. He despairs, wanting to marry Sunniva. She gives him an
idea on how to avoid the marriage.
Dalin
announces his intention to take a vow obligating him to fight in the holy land
for five years. His father wants to oppose him but can't go against religion;
and Dalin is popular with the people, who are thrilled at his piety and
willingness to fight for the cause. He departs.
The next
five years hone him for the role of a ruler. By this time there is peace
between the Crusaders and Muslims. Dalin fights as a mercenary, often serving
Muslim leaders in their mini-wars with other Muslims. He learns to speak
Arabic, to lead, fight well, and negotiate. Mysterious things happen that
suggest Sunniva's magic is protecting him even at a distance of a thousand miles. After five years, he goes home but
can find no trace of Sunniva until Lissette informs him that she is living with
a family in a remote part of the kingdom.
Dalin's
father has boarded her with a cruel woman who has two not-very-bright daughters
(sound familiar?). Sunniva tells Dalin she put up with their pernicious behavior
for three years but of late has used her magic to get them in line. The mother
has died. The two daughters, Anastasia and Drizella (their names in the
original story) live in terror of her magic. Dalin is reunited with Sunniva.
She tells him that king sent her to Arbritta's house hoping that the cruelty of the mother and
sisters would break her spirit: “Someone
told him the story of Cinderella, I guess...When I came here Arbritta, the mother, who has
died, beat me and told me I would live as a slave and eat with the pigs. The
first week I slept in the barn. They finally gave me a tiny, chilly room in the
house to sleep in. I did all the housework while they lolled.” When Dalin
asks why she put up with such treatment for three years she replies that
suffering is good for the soul.
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| Sunniva as an adult |
He and
Sunniva are married. He is reunited with Amalina and meets her husband, who has been
released from exile. His brother treacherously tries to kill him, but he is rendered helpless by Sunniva's magic. In a few years, the King dies and Dalin
ascend to the throne. His suffering through exile and separation from the woman
he loves make him a fair, good, and just ruler.
And, I
guess, they all lived happily ever after.
The story appeared in Sorcerous Signals, which has ceased publication. This might be a story to resubmit.
I have two new books in production: Sinfonia: A Painted Lady, A Vampire Chronicle, Part 2, coming from Dream Big Books; and The Court of the Sovereign King, from Blue Swan Publications. Stay tuned for news of their releases.
For more titles, see my Writer's Page.
I would love to hear your comments.
Happy reading.
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