A Fairy Tale    


Chapter 4: Fibro

    No one at the ball paid any attention to Fibro. It was his first time serving at the ball. Really all he did was walk around holding a tray with little sandwiches and delicacies for the guests to enjoy. He looked at all the people and then slowly made his way to were the princess was standing. She looked radiant with her new gown on and hair up in the newest fashion. It was his first time serving and it was considered an honor among the servants. He passed guest after guest, some picking something off the silver platter, most ignoring him. “Princess,” he said and bowed before her. She took a small sandwich and smiled at him while those around stared. It was considered terribly rude for a servant to speak to a royal, especially without first being spoken to but on that night Fibro had eyes only for the princess.
    He was floating on Ashanti’s smile as he wandered through the crowd. He imagined him and the princess together under a full moon dancing on the grass with soft music playing... Fibro glanced over towards the princess and saw her talking to two other people about the same age as her, a boy and a girl. He glared suspiciously at the boy then looked at the other girl. ‘Hmm,’ he thought, ‘she looks familiar.’
    He watched the princess as she gracefully stomped over to a bench. “It figures,” she muttered. Then she glanced over and saw him watching her. “What are you looking at?” she said.
    Fibro was caught off guard. “I- nothing-” he stuttered. “Well, you, actually.”
    “Oh,” she said, her face softening. “What’s your name?”
    “Fibro,” he said. She echoed. “We shouldn’t be talking,” he blurted.
    She looked surprised then a little hurt. “I said I was sorry didn’t I?” Her tone was pleading and confused.
    Fibro felt trapped. “Fine,” he said. “Meet me later, then. In the garden.” He turned quickly to escape. He felt like kicking himself. ‘What is my problem?’ he asked himself. ‘“Meet me in the garden.” Like that’s ever going to happen.’
    ‘This is crazy,’ he thought, later, as he slipped out the back door into the garden. ‘This is so, utterly stupid.’
    “Fibro?” he heard. “Are you here?”
    “Yes,” he said, disbelieving.
    He saw her approach in the moonlight. “Isn’t it beautiful out tonight?”
    “You must be crazy,” he whispered to her. “Coming out here in the middle of your own ball to meet a servant.”
    “And  you must be very brave,” she said teasingly, “talking to the princess of Vidalia like that.” Then she looked suspiciously at him. “Are you really a servant?” she asked.
    Fibro stared at her. “I work here don’t I?” he retorted.
    “Yes,” she said. “It was a silly question.”
    “No,” he said, quickly, “no, it wasn’t.”
    She looked at him, surprised.
    He sighed. “You are very smart, princess,” he said, “to have guessed my secret.” Then he told her what had happened to him. She listened thoughtfully until he was done.
    “I’m sorry, Fibro,” was all she could say. “Why don’t you join the party?” she asked.
    “No thank you,” he said, “I have work to do.”
    After the party Fibro thought about what had happened. He didn’t know what he had felt compelled to tell the princess all he had. She hadn’t said much after. He thought she understood. Then he thought perhaps he should write to his uncle.
    At first the thought seemed bizarre. But he thought, ‘it couldn’t hurt much and it might help a lot.’ He let his thoughts wander until he fell asleep.
    When he woke the next day, everything seemed clearer. He finished his chores in half the time then started to write to his uncle.
    ‘Dear uncle...’ ‘Should I start it like that,’ he thought.
    ‘Dear uncle, I apologize and would like to come home.’
    He stared at it. “No,” he decided and tossed it aside.
    ‘Uncle, I am very sorry for everything I’ve done. I apologize and hope you can forgive me.’
    Fibro shook his head. An hour and 23 notes later, he finished the telegram and sent it off.
    Fibro thought a lot that day. He realized how stubborn he’d been. He really did want to go home but he doubted his uncle would be so forgiving. A day later Fibro received a telegram. ‘My dear nephew,’ it said, ‘I would be so very happy to have you come and stay with me. I forgive you and offer my apologies also. Your Uncle Fredrick.’ Fibro didn‘t know whether to laugh or cry. He had never been so happy.
    Much happened the next day. Fibro returned home to his uncle and quit his job at the palace. He and his Uncle Fredrick talked for hours and both apologized many times. That evening Fibro decided to visit the princess.
    When he finally was able to go up to the princess’s room, he found not only the princess but two of her friends, the boy and girl he had seen at the party. They were introduced as Shasta and Lila. Soon everyone was talking at once until Ashanti said, “Everyone, be quiet, please.” They did and Ashanti said, “I know that you all have something you wish to tell. My birthday is in two days. I’d like to invite you, Lila, and your parents; Shasta, you and your parents who will be arriving tomorrow, correct?” Shasta nodded and Ashanti said, “And also you Fibro. Will your uncle be able to come?”
    “Yes,” Fibro said, grinning.
    “Well, I’d like you all to come to the party and there we can discuss what has happened with each of us. Okay?” Everyone agreed. They all talked some and then, one by one, returned home.


Continue to Chapter 5: The Party...