Princess Pretty Goldilocks is famous for her extraordinary beauty and long, golden hair. A neighbouring king falls deeply in love with her reputation before he has even met her, and he sends an ambassador to ask for her hand. When the princess refuses, his favourite courtier, Charming, promises that he can persuade her to change her mind.
Charming soon discovers that winning the princess’s agreement will require much more than an impressive speech. During his journey, he helps three creatures in danger, never expecting that their gratitude will later prove essential. At the princess’s palace, he faces a succession of extraordinary demands that test his courage, loyalty and determination.
This fairy tale follows Charming through magical encounters, a battle against a terrifying giant and a dangerous search for enchanted water. Along the way, his efforts reveal the difference between serving a powerful ruler and earning a person’s genuine affection.
A Princess Famous for Her Beauty
Once upon a time, there lived a princess whose beauty was considered unmatched. Her hair was as fine as gold and flowed almost to the ground. She wore crowns of flowers and dresses embroidered with diamonds and pearls. Wherever she appeared, people admired her.
Everyone called her Pretty Goldilocks.
In a neighbouring kingdom lived a young, wealthy and handsome king who had not yet married. He heard so much praise of Goldilocks that he fell deeply in love with her without ever having seen her. His feelings became so intense that he could neither eat nor drink comfortably.
Convinced that the princess would make him a suitable wife, he decided to send an ambassador to request her hand in marriage. He provided the ambassador with a magnificent carriage, more than a hundred horses and a hundred servants. His instructions were simple: return with the princess.
Back at his court, the king began preparing for her arrival. He ordered beautiful clothes and splendid furniture, believing that the marriage was practically settled.
However, when the ambassador reached Goldilocks’s palace and delivered the proposal, the princess politely refused. She explained that she did not wish to marry. She was careful not to offend the king unnecessarily, so she returned his presents, keeping only twenty-five English pins to avoid disappointing him completely.
The ambassador returned without the bride he had been sent to fetch.
The king was devastated. He cried and could not be comforted. His disappointment became the talk of the court, and many people wondered how anyone could persuade the princess to change her mind.
Charming Makes a Promise
Among the king’s courtiers was a young man named Charming. He was handsome, clever and well liked by his master. The king trusted him with important state secrets, although a few courtiers resented his privileged position.
One day, Charming found himself among people discussing the failed embassy. Believing he could have achieved a better result, he remarked that if the king had sent him to Goldilocks, he was certain she would have returned with him.
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His enemies seized the opportunity to turn his words against him. They hurried to the king and suggested that Charming believed himself more attractive and persuasive than his master. They presented his boast as an insult to the king’s dignity.
The king became furious. He believed his favourite courtier had mocked his disappointment and ordered that Charming be imprisoned in a great tower until he died of hunger.
The guards carried out the order. Charming, who had spoken rashly and had not expected his words to cause such trouble, found himself confined in a miserable room. His bed consisted of a little straw, and he survived because a small stream of water ran through the tower.
For a time, he could scarcely understand what he had done to deserve such punishment. He considered himself a faithful servant who had committed no act of treachery.
One day, the king passed near the tower and recognised his voice. Although the jealous courtiers tried to prevent him from listening, the king ordered them to be quiet. He opened the door and questioned Charming about his boast.
Charming explained that he had never intended to mock his master. He believed he could have presented the king’s good qualities so persuasively that Goldilocks might have accepted the proposal. He could not understand why that confidence should have caused such anger.
The explanation softened the king’s temper. He realised that Charming’s words did not necessarily mean what his enemies had suggested.
The king released him and welcomed him back to the palace. After ensuring that he had eaten a proper meal, he admitted that his love for Goldilocks remained unchanged. He still wanted to marry her but could not discover how to overcome her refusal.
He therefore asked Charming to travel to the princess’s kingdom and persuade her to accept the marriage proposal.
Charming agreed at once.
Three Acts of Kindness
The king offered to arrange an impressive escort, but Charming asked only for a good horse. He received letters for the princess and set out alone, determined to complete his mission.
During the journey, he carried a writing book in which he recorded ideas for the speech he planned to deliver at Goldilocks’s palace. Whenever inspiration came to him, he dismounted and wrote it down.
One morning, while riding beside a river, he stopped beneath a willow tree to record a promising thought. As he looked around, he noticed a large golden carp lying helplessly on the grass.
The fish had leapt out of the water while pursuing small flies and had become stranded on the bank. It was close to death.
Charming felt sorry for the creature. Although he thought it might have made a fine meal, he picked it up gently and returned it to the river.
The carp recovered in the cool water. She thanked him and promised that one day she would repay his kindness. Charming was surprised to hear a fish speak, but he continued his journey without expecting anything in return.
On another day, he saw a raven being pursued by an eagle. The larger bird was about to catch its victim when Charming fitted an arrow to his bow and shot the eagle.
The raven escaped and perched safely in a tree. Grateful for its rescue, it promised to repay Charming in the future.
Charming accepted its thanks and rode on.
His third encounter took place in a dark forest. Before sunrise, he heard an owl crying out in distress. He suspected that the bird had been caught in a trap and searched among the trees until he discovered a large net laid by bird-catchers.
The owl was trapped inside it.
Charming disliked the thought of creatures being tormented when they had done no harm. He took out his knife and cut through the cords. The owl escaped into the darkness, then returned briefly to thank him.
Like the carp and the raven, she promised to repay his kindness one day.
Charming had now helped three creatures without asking for payment. He could not have known how important those encounters would become.
The Princess Sets Her First Condition
After continuing his journey, Charming eventually reached the princess’s kingdom. He was astonished by the wealth and beauty of the palace. Precious stones seemed almost as plentiful as pebbles, while fine clothing, silver objects, golden ornaments and delicious sweets filled the royal surroundings.
He wondered whether Goldilocks would really leave such splendour to marry his master.
Charming dressed carefully in rich brocade, decorated himself with bright plumes and an embroidered scarf, and entered the palace carrying a small dog he had bought along the way. He named the dog Frisk.
When the princess heard that an ambassador named Charming had arrived, she was curious about him. His name suggested that he might be handsome, and her ladies confirmed that they had admired him when they saw him from a window.
Goldilocks ordered her attendants to prepare her finest blue satin dress, arrange her golden hair and place fresh flowers upon her head. She wanted to receive the ambassador in a manner worthy of her reputation.
At last, Charming was brought before her. He was so struck by her beauty that he initially struggled to speak. He soon recovered his composure and delivered the speech he had prepared during his journey.
He praised his king and explained why the proposed marriage would be advantageous. He finished by asking Goldilocks not to disappoint him by sending him home without her agreement.
The princess admitted that his arguments were persuasive and that she would rather please him than many other people. Nevertheless, she had established a condition that no ambassador could avoid.
A month earlier, she had been walking beside a river with her ladies when a ring slipped from her finger and fell into the water. She valued it more than her kingdom.
Goldilocks had therefore vowed that she would not listen to another marriage proposal until someone recovered the lost ring.
No matter how long Charming argued, she would not change her decision.
Charming was dismayed. A ring that had been lying in a river for a month might be almost impossible to find. The princess had given him a task that seemed designed to defeat him.
He offered her the scarf and the little dog he had brought as presents, but she refused them. He returned to his lodging without supper, convinced that his mission had failed.
Frisk stayed close to him and encouraged him not to despair. The little dog believed that their luck might change and suggested that they search beside the river at first light.
The Golden Carp Keeps Her Promise
At dawn, Frisk woke his master, and the two went down to the river. Charming walked along the bank, thinking sadly about the return journey he might soon have to make.
Then he heard someone calling his name.
He looked around but could see no person nearby. The voice called again, and Frisk peered into the water.
The little dog spotted the golden carp swimming towards them.
The fish had remembered the kindness Charming showed her beneath the willow tree. She had not forgotten her promise to repay him.
The carp produced the missing ring, which she had recovered from the river. Charming took it gratefully and hurried back to the palace with Frisk.
When Goldilocks saw him return, she assumed that he had come to say goodbye. Instead, Charming presented her with the ring.
She could scarcely believe that he had succeeded. She suspected that some fairy must have helped him, but Charming explained that he had simply tried to fulfil her request.
The princess was impressed, yet she did not agree to the marriage.
She had another condition.
The Challenge of the Giant Galifron
Goldilocks told Charming about a giant prince named Galifron who had once wanted to marry her. When she refused him, he threatened to devastate her kingdom. He continued to terrorise the people and kill her subjects.
The princess could not accept the idea of marrying such a frightening creature. Galifron was said to be as tall as a tower, and his voice was so loud that anyone who listened to him could be left deaf.
Before Goldilocks would consider marriage, Charming had to kill the giant and bring back his head.
Charming was frightened by the demand, but he had given his word. He agreed to confront Galifron, even though he believed the giant might kill him.
The princess tried to discourage him when she realised how dangerous the task would be. Charming, however, would not abandon his promise.
He armed himself, took Frisk and rode towards Galifron’s country. Along the way, people warned him about the giant’s terrible strength. Their stories made him increasingly anxious.
Frisk tried to reassure his master. He promised to bite the giant’s heels while Charming attacked, hoping to distract Galifron long enough for the young man to strike.
As they approached the giant’s castle, they saw bones scattered along the paths. The sight showed how many victims had suffered at Galifron’s hands.
Before long, the giant appeared. He towered above the trees and sang a frightening song about eating children.
Charming answered with a verse of his own, declaring that he was not afraid to face the giant. Although he was terrified, he tried to sound courageous.
Galifron became enraged and raised his enormous iron club. One blow would have killed Charming if it had landed.
At that moment, the raven Charming had rescued from the eagle appeared. It settled upon the giant’s head, pecking and beating its wings until Galifron became confused and could no longer aim properly.
The distraction gave Charming the opportunity he needed. He rushed forward and struck the giant with his sword. Galifron fell, and Charming cut off his head.
The raven reminded him that it had not forgotten the kindness he had shown by killing the eagle. Its promise had now saved Charming’s life.
Charming thanked the bird and returned to the princess’s palace carrying proof that he had defeated her enemy.
The Fountain of Health and Beauty
The people celebrated when Charming returned victorious. Goldilocks was relieved to see him alive, although she remained frightened by the sight of the giant’s head.
Charming asked whether she would now agree to marry his master.
Once again, the princess refused.
She explained that she wanted water from a mysterious fountain hidden inside the Gloomy Cavern. The entrance was guarded by two dragons with fiery eyes. Beyond them lay a deep hole filled with toads and snakes, and at its bottom stood the Fountain of Health and Beauty.
The water possessed extraordinary powers. Anything it touched became wonderful. Beautiful things remained beautiful, ugly things became lovely, the young never grew old, and the old could become young again.
Goldilocks insisted that she could not leave her kingdom without taking some of this water with her.
Charming understood that the request might cost him his life. Nevertheless, he agreed to go. He told the princess that although she might not need the water herself, he was an unhappy ambassador who would go wherever she sent him.
He set out with Frisk, while people along the road wondered why the princess continued demanding such impossible tasks.
As they approached the Gloomy Cavern, Charming saw a black rock surrounded by thick smoke. A dragon emerged, its eyes and mouth blazing with fire. Its body was covered in strange colours, its claws were scarlet, and its long tail lay in coils.
Frisk was terrified.
Charming drew his sword and took out the crystal flask Goldilocks had given him. He feared that he would never return, so he instructed Frisk to tell the princess what had happened if he died.
Then he heard a familiar voice calling his name.
The owl he had rescued from the bird-catchers appeared. It reminded Charming that he had once saved its life and that it could now repay him.
The owl knew the paths through the Gloomy Cavern. Charming handed it the flask, and the bird flew past the dragon without being noticed.
After some time, the owl returned with the vessel filled to the brim with sparkling water from the fountain.
Charming thanked his rescuer and hurried back to the princess.
A Wedding and an Unexpected Betrayal
When Goldilocks received the water, she finally had no further condition to impose. She agreed to leave her kingdom, and preparations began for the journey to the king who had sent Charming.
During their travels, the princess found Charming pleasant company. She sometimes suggested that they could have stayed together in her kingdom, where she might have made him a king.
Charming refused to betray his master. Even though he admired Goldilocks, he would not abandon his duty simply to gain a kingdom or please the princess.
At last, they reached the king’s city. The king welcomed Goldilocks with magnificent presents, and the marriage took place amid great celebrations.
Yet the new queen constantly praised Charming. She explained that he had accomplished the impossible and obtained the magical water that would preserve her beauty.
The king’s jealous courtiers used these remarks to stir up suspicion. They suggested that the queen admired Charming more than her husband and asked why the king tolerated such praise.
The king began to believe them. Forgetting how faithfully Charming had served him, he ordered that his former favourite be chained and imprisoned in the tower.
Once again, Charming found himself locked away after doing exactly what his ruler had asked of him.
Goldilocks was distressed when she learned what had happened. She begged the king to release Charming, but her pleas only increased his anger. She could do nothing to change his mind.
Meanwhile, the king decided that he too should use the enchanted water. Perhaps, he thought, it would make him handsome enough to win his wife’s admiration.
The flask stood in the queen’s room, but an accident had already changed its contents. One of Goldilocks’s ladies had broken the vessel containing the magical water while chasing a spider. In her confusion, she replaced it with another flask that looked identical.
Unfortunately, the replacement contained a different substance used in the kingdom to dispose of troublesome people. Anyone whose face was washed with it fell asleep and never woke again.
The king took the replacement flask and sprinkled its contents over his face. Instead of becoming more handsome, he fell into a sleep from which no one could awaken him.
The king was dead.
Charming Becomes King
News of the king’s death spread through the palace. Frisk heard what had happened and hurried to tell Charming in the tower.
Charming could not free himself, so he asked the little dog to remind Goldilocks not to forget him.
Frisk reached the queen and delivered the message. She immediately remembered the extraordinary services Charming had performed for her. He had recovered her ring, defeated Galifron and obtained the magical water that she had wanted.
She could not allow him to remain imprisoned after all he had done.
Without waiting for anyone to persuade her, Goldilocks went straight to the tower. She removed Charming’s chains with her own hands and brought him out of confinement.
Then she placed a golden crown upon his head and a royal mantle over his shoulders.
She declared that Charming would become king and that she would marry him.
Charming, free at last, fell at her feet and thanked her for her kindness. The people were delighted with the decision, and a new wedding was celebrated.
The faithful courtier who had once risked his life to serve another king became the husband of Pretty Goldilocks and ruler of the kingdom. His journey had begun as a mission to secure a marriage for his master, but the kindness he showed to three creatures, his courage in danger and his loyalty throughout the trials had changed his destiny.
Prince Charming and Princess Goldilocks lived happily ever after.
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Moral of the Story
The Story of Pretty Goldilocks highlights kindness, courage and loyalty. Charming helps the carp, raven and owl without expecting a reward, but their gratitude later helps him overcome challenges that would otherwise have been impossible.
The story also warns against jealousy and the danger of listening to those who deliberately misrepresent others. Charming serves the king faithfully, yet the king repeatedly punishes him because of suspicion and envy. Ultimately, the qualities that make Charming worthy of trust prove more valuable than royal favour alone.
Knowledge Check
1. Why did the neighbouring king send an ambassador to Pretty Goldilocks?
He had fallen in love with her reputation for beauty and wanted to ask her to marry him.
2. Why was Charming imprisoned at the beginning of the story?
Jealous courtiers misrepresented his claim that he could persuade Goldilocks to accept the king’s proposal, making the king believe that Charming had insulted him.
3. Which three creatures did Charming help during his journey?
He rescued a golden carp stranded on a riverbank, saved a raven from an eagle and freed an owl from a net.
4. What was Goldilocks’s first condition for considering the marriage proposal?
She demanded that Charming recover the ring she had lost in the river.
5. How did Charming defeat Galifron and obtain the water from the Gloomy Cavern?
The raven he had rescued distracted Galifron, allowing Charming to defeat the giant. Later, the owl he had freed entered the Gloomy Cavern and brought back the enchanted water.
6. How did Charming finally become king?
After the king accidentally used the wrong flask and died, Goldilocks released Charming from prison, crowned him king and agreed to marry him.
Source
The Blue Fairy Book, edited by Andrew Lang and first published in 1889. “The Story of Pretty Goldilocks,” attributed to Madame d’Aulnoy in the collection’s source note.
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