Princess Lily wasn't like the other princesses. She was a very, very sensitive princess! Even a tiny pebble under her mattress kept her awake all night. People called her ‘Princess Pea’ because she noticed *everything*.
The Queen and King tried everything. They had the royal bedmakers build a bed with twenty fluffy feather mattresses! They piled on soft blankets and downy pillows. But Princess Lily still couldn’t sleep. ‘There’s a tiny bump!’ she’d say, or ‘This pillow is just a little too poofy!’
The other princesses giggled. ‘She’s so fussy!’ they whispered. They didn’t understand why Lily needed everything *just* right. This made Princess Lily very sad. She wished she wasn’t so sensitive.
One day, a little kitchen maid named Poppy noticed Princess Lily looking glum. Poppy wasn’t a princess, but she was very kind. She asked, ‘What’s wrong, Princess Lily?’
Lily explained about the bed and how she couldn’t sleep. Poppy listened carefully. Then, she said, ‘Maybe it’s not about finding the *perfect* bed, but about making your bed feel extra special with things *you* love.’
Poppy helped Lily decorate her bed. They added Lily’s favorite lavender-scented sachets, a soft, hand-knitted blanket from Lily’s grandmother, and a little stuffed bunny named Benjamin. They didn’t change the mattresses, but they made the bed feel cozy and comforting.
That night, Princess Lily slept soundly! It wasn’t because the bed was perfect, but because it was filled with things that made her happy. She realized that being sensitive wasn’t a bad thing. It meant she noticed the little things that brought joy.
The other princesses saw how happy Lily was. They asked Poppy to help them decorate their beds too! Soon, all the princesses had cozy, comforting beds filled with things they loved. They learned that everyone is different, and that’s what makes the kingdom so special.
Princess Lily, the Princess Pea, learned that being herself was the best thing of all. And she always remembered Poppy’s kindness, knowing that a little empathy can make a big difference. Now close your eyes, little one, and dream sweet dreams, just like Princess Lily.