The Heart of Princess Joan facts for kids
"The Heart of Princess Joan" is an old fairy tale from the 1800s. It was published in 1880 in a book called The Necklace of Princess Fiorimonde and other Stories. This book was the second of three fairy tale collections written by the famous children's author, Mary de Morgan. The pictures for these stories were drawn by Walter Crane.
Contents
Meet the Author: Mary De Morgan
Mary De Morgan was born in 1850 into a very smart and artistic British family. She became a great writer by telling special fairy tales to the children of her family and friends. These friends included famous families like the Burne-Jones, the Morrises, and the Kiplings. In fact, "The Heart of Princess Joan" and the other stories in the book were dedicated to her nephews and nieces. One expert, James Fowler, said she was a perfect example of the Victorian fairy tale style.
Story Summary: The Missing Heart
The story begins with a rich King and Queen who were very happy. However, the Queen was very proud and did not like fairies. So, when she had a baby girl named Joan, some angry fairies stole the young child's heart.
Princess Joan grew up to be the most beautiful girl in the land. But because she had no heart, she could not love anyone. In a nearby country, there lived a kind Prince named Michael. He was the most gracious man of all.
One day, Prince Michael found a picture of Joan in an old wizard's tower. The wizard warned him to stay away from Joan. But Michael still wanted to marry her, even though he knew something was wrong.
Prince Michael's love for Joan grew stronger. He was curious, so he dressed up as a beggar to find out why the Princess was so cold. He soon learned she was heartless and unkind. He spoke to the Queen, who told him about Joan's missing heart.
Michael promised to get Joan's heart back. He told the Queen that if he did not return in seven years, Joan could marry someone else. The wizard learned of Michael's plan and gave him a special piece of glass. If Michael looked through the glass and followed a blood-red star, it would lead him to Joan's heart.
Michael's Long Journey
Michael traveled for a very long time, over land and water. His boat eventually reached a land with a castle he could not enter. Next to the castle, there was an old man and a snake. The old man offered to show Michael how to get into the castle. But Michael had to agree to be his slave until the snake's eggs hatched. Michael agreed.
Years and years passed, and Michael became angry because the eggs never hatched. He tried to break the eggs, but he could not. As he cried, his tears fell onto the eggs, and their shells cracked open. Michael finally found his way into the castle. He promised himself he would only accept Joan's heart and nothing else.
A fairy who could change her appearance tried to trick Michael. She offered him magical food. But Michael was never fooled because he could see her true self through his special piece of glass. Finally, the fairy gave him Joan's heart. She also gave him some magic words to say when he saw Joan.
The Heart Returns
When Michael returned, he was mistakenly put in prison. But as soon as he saw the Princess through the bars of his cell, he said the magic words. The heart in his hand fluttered and flew into Joan's chest.
Joan immediately recognized Michael. She insisted they get married right away and kissed him in front of everyone. They were wed, and the people were very happy. "Now we are sure of a good King," the people said. "See, he has already shown what he can do. Surely no one else could ever have found the heart of Princess Joan."
Themes in the Story
Mary De Morgan's stories, including "The Heart of Princess Joan," feel like old folk tales. But they are actually her own original stories. She wrote them in a style similar to Hans Christian Andersen. This might be because she told these stories to children before writing them down.
This story, "The Heart of Princess Joan," shows important ideas like lasting love and making sacrifices for others. Prince Michael shows these ideas through his actions. These are common themes in Mary De Morgan's other stories too. Her fairy tales often comment on the Victorian culture she lived in.
De Morgan's stories also make us think about whether wealth and power are truly valuable. This is clear in "The Heart of Princess Joan." Prince Michael is tempted by the beautiful look of the Yellow Fairy's castle. But in truth, the castle turns out to be as ugly and strange as the fairy herself.
Mary De Morgan's Published Books
- On a Pincushion (1877)
- The Necklace of Princess Fiorimonde and other Stories (1880)
- The Windfairies (1900)
