Daughter of the sky
a fairy tale to gladden the heart

In the days long past there was a princess
who lived in the palace of the clouds, high above the world
A pretty girl was she, the daughter of the sky
Her hair was dark as night and cheeks as red as a new born sun
She was graceful and slender;
 and a joy to watch for all and sunder
At dawn every day she would sit at her window
Combing out her long locks,
as the fog lifted the curtains to the world below.
Just then a sly crow perched near the window
grabbed the pearl pin from her hair and flitted away
as the princess tried to stop it.

Down in the valley a prince riding like the wind
felt the drops which rained down from the princess's hair
reining the horse he looked up, and saw the radiant girl up in the sky
"Sir, can you help find that thief of a crow who took my pin?",asked the girl
"yes, of course " said the prince as he galloped after the marauding crow
High over hills ; low over dales sped the black ribboned horse with the prince on its back
It ran through the nights black as coal and sharp shinning days
Never swaying or stumbling and still the crow flew high
At long last; the crow settled to rest on the highest nook of the tallest pine
And there the prince too cantered to stop.
Tying up his steed for a well earned rest, he climbed up the tall tree
for hadn't he given his word to the daughter of the sky to fetch her treasure
 though it lay at the edge of the world .

The crow looked on as the prince climbed the last few branches and then it spoke,
"Well, my friend, you have come far and in earnest
to take from me what i stole from the princess of the sky.
Tell me, why have you ridden so far for a trinket that has least value?"
The prince said, "I don't know what value she places on that clip but for me
her words and smile are more golden than all the gold in the world"
"Hmmm", said the crow,"Perhaps that's why you are a match for her.
Its been said that whosoever takes the time to risk all for a smile will succeed in love.
So, take this precious pin and go to your lady...but beware time is short and your love still new.
Maybe the love that fills your heart teaches you how to risk all
for though I am old yet have i loved and seen many falter at the brink.
Sincerely, I hope that you reach the zenith "

The prince soon clambered down with the precious jewel for his lady
and his faithful steed sped down the way it came.
Before long the prince stood at the pinnacle of the mountain
and reaching up gave the pin into the princess's hand
"Thank you, " said the grateful girl"What can i give in return?"
"Nothing, "said the prince, " except your promise that you meet me here forever tomorrow "
The princess returned a glad smile and promised the prince to return
Such beauteous days were those when the prince and the princess met
But for how long can such love hide its light from the rest of the greedy eyes

A shadow stood in the corner listening to the lovers talk
A shadow which steadily grew long and dark
A shadow which slithered away to whisper its poison into the sky king's ears
"Look," hissed the shadow,"See. I tell the truth.
The princess grows fond of the mortal
and the mortal shall rise to stake claim over the skies.
Act now. Separate them for then your throne survives."

Ill wind was it that blew that day
for who would have thought; a father for power,
Would not be heart broken to see his daughter cry.
"Forsake his love or forsake my love", thundered the king
Deaf to her cries and moans of grief
"Either see him no more or see him dead" said the stony king
"For you shall no longer be the daughter that I love."
All the tears that rained down was the sound of her heart breaking
but the old king heard nothing.

Up in the tallest tower sat the princess thinking sad thoughts
And down below vainly stood the prince even in the pouring rain
Flying above the sky  the crow saw the pale face of the sad daughter of the sky
And leaning in said "Don't worry. Your prince waits for you.
Be ready as the sun goes down the steps and the moon soldiers into the sky.
I will take you to your prince and that's my promise to you."

Soon the sun crept downstairs tired after a long day at the borders
and the moon stepped smartly over the ramparts to stare at the world below
Still the prince waited for a glimpse of his love
And there stepping lightly on the backs of the swallows
Who lined from the sky to the earth below ,was the princess
Come finally to meet her prince.
Oh! What a sight it was
To see the lovers meet

Soon all was told and the prince took up his bride on his steed
and rushed where the sky meets the earth.
There he came and boldly standing before the lord of the sky
Said the prince, "Lord and king of all that's above and below
I love your daughter and will marry her
and as for your crown...your head graces it much better than mine ever could
My only treasure is the love i feel for your daughter and the rest are all dross.
Grant me your blessing and the power to make your daughter smile
For that will be my earnings and the rest are all dross."

The old king looked hard at the prince and liked him the more
For who can resist a man who gladly gives his heart to his daughter.
"I am old and senile too, I think" thundered the crusty old king
"Who am I to deny the young love that shines so brilliantly here?
I gladly give you my daughter but only say that she forgives her father
and comes home sometimes to gladden his heart"

And so it came about that the daughter of the sky wed her prince
And the world rejoiced festooned in rainbows, it danced
So comes to end, my story and if you feel that you would like to step a dance
Feel free, my friend and I will gladly pipe the music.