The Wise Princess facts for kids

The Wise Princess is a British fairy tale written by Mary de Morgan in the late 1800s. It tells the story of a princess named Fernanda. She is very smart and knows almost everything. However, she struggles to find true happiness.

This story was first published in 1886. It was part of a book called "The Tale of Princess Fiorimonde and Other Stories." This book included six other tales by Mary de Morgan.

The title of Mary de Morgan's "The Wise Princess" literary tale.

The Story of Princess Fernanda

The story begins after Princess Fernanda's mother, the Queen, passes away. As Fernanda grows up, she becomes very curious. She asks many questions and wants to learn everything. Because of this, people start calling her "The Wise Princess." However, some of the older ladies scold her for being too curious.

Fernanda's Quest for Knowledge

As years go by, Princess Fernanda wants to learn even more. She studies with many teachers, but it is never enough for her. She always wants to know more things. One day, she goes to a dark cave. There, she meets a wise wizard. The wizard agrees to teach her everything he knows.

The wizard warns Fernanda that his teachings will not bring her happiness. Still, she continues to learn. After three years, she has learned all the wizard can teach her.

The Princess Becomes Sick

Princess Fernanda becomes incredibly wise. She can understand any animal and speak any language. But soon, she starts to feel very tired and sick. Her father, the King, wants to call a doctor. However, Princess Fernanda stops him. She believes she knows more than any doctor.

Searching for Happiness

One day, Fernanda walks by the sea. She sees a bird and a dog, and both seem very happy. The Princess asks them what makes them happy. The bird says, "The sky is so blue, and the fields are so green." The dog says, "Plenty to eat, and a soft cushion to rest upon." Fernanda is not happy with their answers.

When she returns home, she is still upset. She asks Doris, her favorite maid, why she is so happy. Even Doris cannot help Princess Fernanda find happiness.

A Final Lesson

Princess Fernanda continues her walk. She comes to a church. Inside, she sees a wounded soldier in his coffin, and he has a smile on his face. The Princess also sees Death in the church. She asks Death to teach her how to smile like the young man. But Death also cannot teach the Wise Princess happiness.

Further along her walk, by the seashore, the Wise Princess sees a child drowning. She bravely jumps into the water and saves the child. However, the waves are too strong for her to save herself. Death then comes to her and says, "I will teach you all you want to know."

After the princess dies, the King's servants find her body by the shore. She has a smile on her face. The people are sad and cry. But the Wizard praises the princess. He says she has finally found happiness, making her the wisest of all.

Why This Story Matters

Mary de Morgan was known for including important ideas in her fairy tales. She often wrote about feminism, which means supporting equal rights for women.

Strong Female Characters

James Fowler, a writer who studied de Morgan's work, noted how she made her female characters strong and active. In "The Wise Princess," Fernanda is different from many traditional princesses in old stories. De Morgan created a "dynamic" main character. This means Fernanda is full of energy and has strong qualities, like being very smart and determined.

De Morgan showed both men and women in her stories with a mix of traits. They could be brave and smart, but also sometimes act without thinking.

Challenging Old Ideas

From a young age, Mary de Morgan was described as "downright and determined." As an adult, she was known as a "talented woman." She did not fit the usual Victorian stereotypes of what women should be like. She was "talkative and capable." She spent time with friends and family who believed in progress. This meant they wanted to improve society.

Marilyn Pemberton, another scholar, points out that de Morgan could put "serious social and political issue[s]s into fairyland." Her stories often criticized unfair work practices. They also questioned the way people bought and used many factory-made goods.

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