The Brave Little Royal

The morning sun creeps through the round window and tickles Sofia's nose. On the bed the little golden crown is sparkling, and down in the rose garden the first blossoms open their eyes. Sofia stretches, sets the crown on crooked and whispers: “One step, one more step!” Then there is no more sleeping.

The morning sun creeps through the round window and tickles Sofia's nose. On the bed the little golden crown is sparkling, and down in the rose garden the first blossoms open their eyes. Sofia stretches, sets the crown on crooked and whispers: “One step, one more step!” Then there is no more sleeping.

Sofia sits all alone at the breakfast table and has to giggle: a rose petal has blown in through the window and landed right on the tip of that small nose. One puff, and the petal goes fluttering through the air. Sofia calls out, laughing: “One step, one more step!”

Sofia sits all alone at the breakfast table and has to giggle: a rose petal has blown in through the window and landed right on the tip of that small nose. One puff, and the petal goes fluttering through the air. Sofia calls out, laughing: “One step, one more step!”

Sofia runs out through the big gate into the rose garden. The little crown flashes in the sun, the bees hum, and the fountain in the courtyard splashes merrily. Sofia stops, sniffs the sweet smell of roses and spins around once for joy.

Sofia runs out through the big gate into the rose garden. The little crown flashes in the sun, the bees hum, and the fountain in the courtyard splashes merrily. Sofia stops, sniffs the sweet smell of roses and spins around once for joy.

And there – along the rim of the fountain lies a shimmering trail of pink petals. One, two, three … Sofia follows it with wide eyes, all the way to a small, mossy door in the castle wall. Sofia lays a hand on the old wood. It feels rough and cool. What could be behind it? Then one eye peeks through the crack.

And there – along the rim of the fountain lies a shimmering trail of pink petals. One, two, three … Sofia follows it with wide eyes, all the way to a small, mossy door in the castle wall. Sofia lays a hand on the old wood. It feels rough and cool. What could be behind it? Then one eye peeks through the crack.

Behind the door the whole village lies at Sofia's feet like a bright picture. But down by the river the market is under water – one enormous, muddy puddle has swallowed the road. Traders shout all at once, baskets pile up along the edge, and not a single person can reach the other bank.

Behind the door the whole village lies at Sofia's feet like a bright picture. But down by the river the market is under water – one enormous, muddy puddle has swallowed the road. Traders shout all at once, baskets pile up along the edge, and not a single person can reach the other bank.

Sofia runs down the hill and stops at the edge of the puddle. The water looks deep, and a small heart is thumping fast. Then comes a big gulp. Slowly the shoulders go back, one deep breath goes in, and a whisper: “One step, one more step.” Behind the baker's house, Sofia remembers, lie the old flat stepping stones.

Sofia runs down the hill and stops at the edge of the puddle. The water looks deep, and a small heart is thumping fast. Then comes a big gulp. Slowly the shoulders go back, one deep breath goes in, and a whisper: “One step, one more step.” Behind the baker's house, Sofia remembers, lie the old flat stepping stones.

Sofia rolls the stones to the puddle, one by one. The first stone lands with a splash – good. The second wobbles and slips, but a quick push sets it straight. At the third stone a shoe slides away and Sofia lands knee-deep in the mud – and is up again at once. When the last stone is lying in place, Sofia steps onto it and crosses over ahead of everyone else. The whole village cheers.

Sofia rolls the stones to the puddle, one by one. The first stone lands with a splash – good. The second wobbles and slips, but a quick push sets it straight. At the third stone a shoe slides away and Sofia lands knee-deep in the mud – and is up again at once. When the last stone is lying in place, Sofia steps onto it and crosses over ahead of everyone else. The whole village cheers.

In the village the lanterns come on one by one, and strings of lights swing from house to house until everything glows golden. Sofia walks right down the middle of the warm cobblestones, looking around with big eyes. A soft light hangs in the air, as if the evening were quietly saying thank you. “It's so beautiful,” whispers Sofia.

In the village the lanterns come on one by one, and strings of lights swing from house to house until everything glows golden. Sofia walks right down the middle of the warm cobblestones, looking around with big eyes. A soft light hangs in the air, as if the evening were quietly saying thank you. “It's so beautiful,” whispers Sofia.

Then everyone climbs the hill, the village children behind Sofia, torches and fireflies all around. Sofia can feel the ground under both feet, firm and warm, and the steps come wide and sure. Up at the castle gate it smells of fresh bread – someone has brought a loaf as a thank-you – and one calm breath goes long into the evening air.

Then everyone climbs the hill, the village children behind Sofia, torches and fireflies all around. Sofia can feel the ground under both feet, firm and warm, and the steps come wide and sure. Up at the castle gate it smells of fresh bread – someone has brought a loaf as a thank-you – and one calm breath goes long into the evening air.

Up in the tower room Sofia snuggles down under the warm blanket. The little crown sparkles on the bedside table, and the blanket tucks itself softly all around. Outside the fountain splashes quietly. Sofia closes both eyes and murmurs it one last time, very softly: “One step … one more step.” And then comes sleep.

Up in the tower room Sofia snuggles down under the warm blanket. The little crown sparkles on the bedside table, and the blanket tucks itself softly all around. Outside the fountain splashes quietly. Sofia closes both eyes and murmurs it one last time, very softly: “One step … one more step.” And then comes sleep.