Princess Daisy Once upon a time, in a beautiful kingdom far away, lived a lovely young princess named Daisy. She had long golden hair, big blue-violet eyes, and a whole wardrobe full of lovely gowns, capes, tiaras, and slippers to choose from each day. You might imagine that such a princess had everything she could ever want, but this was not the case with Princess Daisy. In spite of her beautiful clothes, her golden canopy bed, her pure-white horse named Ivory, and a thousand other royal pleasures, Princess DaisyÕs fondest wish was unfulfilledÑshe wanted a mother. You see, Princess DaisyÕs mother had died shortly after Daisy was born, so Daisy had been raised by her father, the king, and her nursemaid, Heidi. Daisy loved her father and Heidi dearlyÑbut she couldnÕt help wondering what having a mother might have been like. You see, Princess DaisyÕs mother had died shortly after Daisy was born, so Daisy had been raised by her father, the king, and her nursemaid, Heidi. Daisy loved her father and Heidi dearlyÑbut she couldnÕt help wondering what having a mother might have been like. Sometimes, when Daisy was all alone, riding Ivory through the peaceful pastures or picking flowers in the luxurious castle gardens, she would imagine that her mother was there beside her. ÒDaisy!Ó her mother would say. ÒYouÕre such a wonderful horseback rider; Ivory is lucky to have a girl like you!Ó Or, ÒDaisy, thatÕs enough roses now. If you pick any more, the whole bush will be bare!Ó During these moments, it seemed to Daisy that her daydreams were reality, and she was happier than sheÕd ever been. But soon enough, it was time to return Ivory to the stables or to take her flowers inside, and then Daisy would remember the truth: that she had no mother at all. The summer Daisy was twelve, life in her usually peaceful kingdom became hectic and frightening. The neighboring kingdom had declared war on DaisyÕs father, and now he had to organize his army and prepare them for battle. Daisy knew that the king himself must lead his chariots and horses into battle, and she was afraid that her father would be injured in the fight. Even worse, he might lose his very life, and Daisy couldnÕt bear that! ÒFather,Ó she begged him, Òplease donÕt go to war! I need you!Ó The king hugged Daisy gently. ÒThere, there, Princess,Ó he said. ÒI must stand up and fight for the sake of my kingdom. ItÕs the responsibility of any good king. But IÕll come home without a scratch, youÕll see!Ó Daisy hoped with all her heart that her father was right. Just the same, she couldnÕt help but worry. The morning the king departed to lead his troops into battle, Princess Daisy felt lonelier than sheÕd ever felt in her life. Heidi tried to comfort her, but Daisy just wanted to be left alone. She escaped into the castle gardens, where she sat at the foot of an ancient tree and sobbed. She was frightened, so alone. If only her mother were here right now. SheÕd know what to do and say to comfort Daisy. But as hard as Daisy tried to imagine her mother there with her this sad afternoon, she could not. This only made her sob all the harder. I want a mother, Daisy thought. ItÕs not fair that I donÕt have one! Why did mine have to pass away? DidnÕt she know I would need her? As the princess continued to sob, one of her teardrops landed on a golden flower bud at her feet. This flower was unlike any of the othersÑfor, as Daisy watched in astonishment, it opened and blossomed before her very eyes. Then a small, delicate fairy flitted out of its center! Daisy stopped crying and just stared. ÒWho are you?Ó she asked in a trembling voice. The fairy, who had huge blue eyes and shiny rays of hair the same color as honey, smiled gently. ÒWhy, IÕm Bloom,Ó she said. ÒThe Flower Fairy of WishesÑand IÕve come to grant yours!Ó Daisy gasped. ÒDo you mean thatÉthat I can have anything I ask for?Ó ÒAnything at all,Ó replied Bloom. ÒBut I can grant only one wish.Ó That was fine with Daisy. She knew what she wanted more than anything; sheÕd known it her entire lifeÑa mother! She was just about to open her mouth and tell that to Bloom, when the fairy continued to speak. ÒYou have twenty-four hours to make up your mind,Ó Bloom said. ÒOnce you figure out what your wish is, IÕll meet you here at the same time tomorrow, and IÕll grant it for you.Ó Daisy did not want to wait a whole day! ÒBut I know what I want now!Ó she insisted. Bloom shook her pretty little head. ÒIÕll see you tomorrow, Princess Daisy.Ó And with that, she was gone. For the rest of the day, Daisy could not stop thinking about Bloom. This time tomorrow, she would have a mother! As she ate dinner that evening, the princess overheard Heidi and some of the servants talking in the kitchen, discussing the war. ÒWar is a terrible thing,Ó Heidi said sadly. ÒAnd this battle is particularly gruesomeÑso many are being killed. I pray every moment for the kingÕs safety.Ó ÒHe has a strong bodyguard,Ó the cook reminded Heidi. ÒI donÕt fear for him as much as I do for the innocent peasants of our kingdoms. Their homes and families are being torn apart by the war. Their children are in danger because they live so near the battleground. They have no place to go. ItÕs a terrible shame.Ó Daisy was so upset by this whispered conversation that she couldnÕt finish her meal. She retired to her bedchamber early and tossed and turned all night long. Images of gruesome battles flashed through her mind. She worried about her father. When she did sleep, she dreamed of poor peasants and their children fleeing for safety. The next morning, Daisy rushed to the garden. She couldnÕt wait to see Bloom! When the tiny fairy finally appeared, Daisy told her, ÒIÕve made up my mind. ÒBloom smiled gently. ÒYour wish is my command, Princess Daisy.Ó Daisy took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and said, ÒI wish for the war between the kingdoms to end, so that my father and his army and the peasants in the villages will be safe.Ó ÒThat is your wish?Ó asked Bloom. ÒTo have peace between the kingdoms?Ó ÒThat is my wish,Ó answered Daisy. And just like that, Bloom vanished, and Daisy heard the merry clip-clop of horsesÕ hooves returning from battle! Her father led his army in the direction of the castle. When the king saw Daisy, he dismounted his horse and swung her into his arms. ÒPeace has been restored between the kingdoms!Ó he announced. Daisy couldnÕt stop hugging her father. She was so happy to have him here with her, safe and sound, and to know that the lives of hundreds of soldiers and peasants had also been spared because of her wish. As much as Daisy longed for a mother, she realized that the lives of human beingsÑand the father she lovedÑwere much more important! But the king had an unexpected surprise for Daisy. Just then, a stately pink carriage pulled by two white horses pulled up to the front of the castle. A footman opened the door, and a beautiful woman stepped out. Daisy recognized her at once as the dignified and kind-hearted duchess of a kingdom miles away. She had spoken with the duchess many times, during the Christmas Ball and other such celebrations and festivities. Daisy had always admired and respected the duchess, so she was happy to see her again. And she was happier yet when her father announced his decision to marry the lovely, sweet duchess! Daisy was going to have a mother, after all! Oh, what a wonderful day it had been. Both of her wishes came true!