Why do some people prefer to be alone?
The little princess wailed as she scurried through the labyrinth of elegant corridors in the royal palace. Butlers and servant girls were brushed aside as she frantically pried open each and every towering door and peered in. The startled guests, annoyed family members, and flustered servants all shouted various reprimands towards her.
“Get out, Princess Fiona! Can’t you give us some privacy?”
“Where is your Queen mother?”
“Are you supposed to be here young lady? Are you lost?”
But she ignored each and every remark. As soon as she realized that the room was occupied, she slammed the door shut. And she continued her relentless quest to find an empty room. After searching for what seemed like an eternity, the distressed princess finally stumbled into a quiet, candle-lit room.
She bolted the door shut, and began frantically pulling out all the sharp and ornate pins from the root-tugging braids. The tight-fitting pearl necklace that choked her all day long was desperately ripped off; scattering pearls in every direction. And the metal corset that mercilessly cinched her waist was aggressively pried off with herculean effort. Just before she was able to take a deep sigh of relief, the door of the room magically exploded in a shower of smoke and wooden splinters.
There before her stood the tall and ominous figure of the Queen. As soon as her mother’s cold icy stare beamed down on her, each and every enchanted piece of royal clothing came clawing and clambering back onto her bruised and battered body. Helpless tears welled up in her frightened eyes as she helplessly wrestled the pearl noose that once again tightened threateningly around her neck like a boa constrictor.
“Silly girl” chuckled the Queen mother. “Don’t you remember that I had all of your clothes enchanted since you were born? So long as any one is able to behold you, you will always have to look perfect…. just like me!”
Being around other people can sometimes feel stifling. Like this little princess who was constantly searching for a place where she can be alone, some people can only feel the freedom of being themselves in silence and in solitude.
