A king's only daughter, renowned for her beauty, is pursued by suitors from far and wide, but she remains uninterested in marriage, preferring her embroidery. Her parents are concerned, especially her mother, who believes courtship is vital. The princess spends her days in a secluded tower, where she encounters a magical pigeon that transforms into a handsome young man. They fall in love, but he warns her not to reveal his identity, or he will be unable to return. As days pass, the princess becomes enamored with the young man, neglecting her embroidery. However, when her parents insist she meet suitors, she confesses her love for the pigeon prince. Her father reluctantly agrees to let her pursue him, but when she reveals his existence, he disappears, leaving her heartbroken. Determined to find him, the princess embarks on a quest, wearing out three pairs of iron shoes and staffs over three years. She eventually decides to build a bath-house, offering free baths to anyone who shares a strange story, hoping to learn about her lost love. A poor girl hears of the princess's plight and discovers a rooster in wooden shoes who leads her to a group of pigeons, one of whom remains enchanted. The girl shares this story with the princess, who realizes it must be her love. They follow the rooster, and upon finding the pigeons, the princess rescues her beloved from his enchantment. The king accepts the young man as a suitable husband for his daughter, and preparations for their wedding commence. The princess's beauty returns as she finds happiness with her true love. The wedding is grand, attended by neighboring kings who regret not marrying her. The princess invites the girl who helped her, revealing that the secret to beauty is happiness.
By Parker Fillmore · First published 1930 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Romance