A king falls in love with a princess cursed by a magician, who reveals that she will marry anyone who can walk on her beloved cat's tail. The king's attempts fail until he finally succeeds, breaking the enchantment but incurring the magician's wrath. The king dies before his son, Prince Wish, is born, leaving the boy with a long nose as a result of the magician's curse. Despite his unusual appearance, the prince is raised to believe that his nose is a mark of greatness. As he grows, he becomes enamored with Princess Darling, who has a small turned-up nose. When he seeks her hand, the courtiers struggle with their prejudices against small noses. The prince's love leads him on a quest to find her after she is kidnapped by the magician. During his journey, he encounters a fairy who, despite her chatter, helps him realize the truth about his nose. Ultimately, he discovers that his long nose is an obstacle to his happiness. Once he acknowledges this flaw, the fairy helps him break the enchantment, allowing him to marry Princess Darling. The prince's nose shrinks to a normal size, and they live happily ever after, free from the burdens of their previous enchantments.
By Dinah Mulock · First published 1857 · Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Drama