Random Short Stories

The servant girl

Once there was a maiden living in the country side. Her family was poor so once she was of age, she had to go out and work.

The maiden had a huge dream, and that was to work at the King's castle. Her neighbours would always tell her stories about how benevolent the King and Queen were and how lavish the castle was, which fuelled the young girl's dreams.

When she was finally old enough to work, she sent an application letter to the castle. And to her amazement, was accepted.

After a tearful farewell, the country bumpkin left her hometown for the majestic castle in the big city.

The castle was short of servants so soon, the young maiden found herself juggling two tasks. To care for the princess as well as the prince.

There, she was known as "servant girl".

However, these children were nothing like the tales she had heard. They were not kind or polite.

The princess would always demand the servant girl to do the simplest tasks for her, such as bringing her her cup which was only at most a metre away. The princess was spoilt rotten.

The prince, on the other hand, was a very mischievous boy. He always had tricks up his sleeves. Once, while the servant girl was carrying out and errand for the King, she tripped over the string trap the little prince had set. All the prince did was giggle.

She told herself that it was alright. That she was not upset and would still love these children, serving them at the best of her abilities.

One day, the servant girl picked up an injured bird while she was on the way home from the market. She quickly wrapped the wound with a clean napkin and placed it in her basket, bringing the little bird back to the castle.

Everyday, she tended to the bird, dressing the wound and feeding it the best food she had. Soon, the bird got better, which brought a smile to her weary face.

This day, the King tasked the servant girl to wash some of his garments. However, the servant girl accidentally missed out one. The servant girl could clearly remember the harsh words from the King, "Stupid servant. Can't you do anything right?"

Yet, she still told herself that she could go on.

However, when she got back to her room that night, she couldn't stop the soft sobs that escaped her lips. The bird gently placed a claw on her hand, as if to comfort her.

"Little bird, oh little bird... What have I done to be treated so bad?" She glanced at the little bird but of course, the bird was unable to give an answer. It just stared back at her, silently.

The servant girl cried herself to sleep that night.

After a month or so, the bird's wound finally healed. "Here you go, I'm so glad you are well again." The servant girl said as she unwinded the bandages around its wing, "You are free to go now..." She continued, but with a sad tone this time. The bird stared at her once more, before flying off into the bright blue sky.

That night, the servant girl had a dream. She dreamt that there was a prince by the window, beckoning to her. She woke up with a start and realised that there by the windowsill, was the bird.

"Little bird, you're back!" Delighted, she clambered out of bed and rushed over to welcome the little bird.

As soon as she touched a feather, the bird disappeared in a puff of smoke. In its place was a handsome prince, the same one she had seen in her dream.

Instinctively, she bowed. "Rise, fair maiden." The prince said. "I have come to take you away from this nasty place. Tomorrow morning, I will arrange for a carriage to fetch you to my country, Ailes."