"Can’t complain,” answered Mei Mei.
“My goodness but how you have changed,” retorted Jei Jei. “You used to love to complain about everything all the time.”
“I am a princess now and a princess simply does not complain.” As an
afterthought, Mei Mei added. “And so did you!”
“That is a pity,” said Jei Jei remembering all the fun they had as children complaining about just about everything. “And by the way,” Jei Jei said adding an afterthought of her own, “I still do.”
“I still love it too,” her younger sister replied. “But for a princess to be heard
complaining simply will not do.”
Seated for tea, Jei Jei told Mei Mei and Prince Nicolas about the Gatekeeper’s words. Mei Mei laughed but the Prince did not. Instead, he jumped to his feet and shouted, “By George, I think she’s got it.”
Having spoken these mysterious words, Prince Nicholas began to pace around the room. This took simply an age because the Throne Room was huge and because it was difficult setting any kind of pace with one’s hands behind one’s back. Why did Prince Nicholas walk that way?
That is the only way that a Prince knows how to walk.
Having made a round of the room, Prince Nicholas decided to try out his new idea on Daniel.
“I understand,” the Prince began, “You are not happy being a farmer.”
“That is true, Your Majesty,” he said in reply.
“I am not happy being Prince,” said Prince Nicholas.
“I would be happy being Prince,” said Daniel in amazement.
“I would be happy being a farmer and growing pumpkins,” said the Prince. He did not know why he had mentioned pumpkins. He knew though that he envied Daniel stooping over in muddy water tenderly placing new shoots row upon row.
“Alas,” said Daniel. “I am stuck in the paddy and you are stuck in the palace. There is no justice in this world.”
“There could be, could be,” said the Prince. Whenever he got excited, he always said things twice. He managed to add, “We could work out a plan.”
“How?” Daniel wondered aloud. When told of their plan, Mei Mei was not amused. It seems that there was a little hitch.
“Daniel could pass for Nicolas but Jei Jei and I do not look alike.”
The whole plan would be impossible unless they agreed to alter their living arrangements. How could the Prince give up his Princess whom he loved dearly?
How could Daniel give up Jei Jei whom he loved dearly?
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