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The Princess and the Pea: The Royal Test

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The Princess and the Pea: The Royal Test, illustration of A young princess sitting on top of twenty mattresses, feeling a tiny pea hidden underneath, while a prince and queen watch in amazement.
The Princess proves her royal sensitivity by feeling a tiny pea through twenty mattresses.

Welcome to our play “The Princess and the Pea: The Royal Test.” This delightful adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairy tale tells the story of a young prince who dreams of finding a real princess to marry. On a stormy night, a mysterious young woman appears at the palace gates, drenched and claiming to be a princess. But how can the royal family know if she’s truly of noble heart and delicate grace? The Queen has a clever plan — a tiny green pea placed beneath twenty mattresses! Will the girl pass the test and prove she’s a real princess?

This enchanting play reminds us that true nobility comes from within and that sensitivity and honesty are the marks of a pure heart.

CHARACTERS:

PRINCESS 

QUEEN AGATHA 

PRINCE ALBERT 

MAIDEN (A Palace attendant)

SCRIPT:

ACT 1 – A Stormy Night

Setting: The Royal Living Room. It is grand yet cozy, dominated by a large fireplace where a warm fire burns. Outside, the sound of a violent thunderstorm is heard.

QUEEN AGATHA: (Sighing, looking at her son) Still gloomy, Albert? Why are you so forlorn?

PRINCE ALBERT: (Restless) I’m dissatisfied, Mother. I long to marry, but I must find a real princess. I’ve traveled across continents, visited every major court, and yet… I haven’t found a true one.

QUEEN AGATHA: There are countless charming, beautiful, and clever women, my dear. But true princesses? That is a matter of quality, not mere appearance.

PRINCE ALBERT: I know she’s out there. I will keep looking.

QUEEN AGATHA: For now, you will stay put. It is a terrible night. This winter storm is truly savage.

PRINCE ALBERT: I worry for the people. The wind is a banshee, the thunder shakes the walls, and the lightning feels like it’s tearing the sky to shreds.

(A sudden, desperate knock is heard at the massive door, startling them.)

QUEEN AGATHA: Heavens! Who could be calling at such an ungodly hour?

PRINCE ALBERT: Whoever it is must be completely drenched. I’ll see to it.

(The Prince crosses and opens the door. Standing there is the Princess, soaked from head to toe, dripping water onto the marble floor.)

PRINCE ALBERT: (Staring in shock) Who are you? What brings you out in this fury?

QUEEN AGATHA: (Approaching quickly) Oh, the poor girl!

PRINCESS: (Shivering) I… I am a Princess. Please, you must help me. My clothes, my hair—everything is ruined.

PRINCE ALBERT: Come in, quickly! You must warm yourself by the fire.

PRINCESS: (Stepping inside, trying to maintain her dignity) Thank you. You must believe me, though. I am a princess.

QUEEN AGATHA: (Kind but assessing) We believe you, dear.

PRINCE ALBERT: But your carriage… How did you arrive here without one?

PRINCESS: It’s a very long, very unpleasant story. I would rather not speak of it now.

PRINCE ALBERT: Of course. Rest is what you need.

QUEEN AGATHA: Exactly. You need dry clothes and rest. Sit by the fire for a moment. I will send our Maiden to prepare a room for you.

PRINCESS: Thank you. I truly appreciate your kindness.

(The Princess moves gratefully towards the fire. The Queen pulls the Prince aside, speaking in a low, conspiratorial voice.)

QUEEN AGATHA: She claims to be a princess. There is only one way to know for sure.

PRINCE ALBERT: How? She is so beautiful, Mother—I think I may already be in love!

QUEEN AGATHA: (Smirking) Patience, my romantic son. (She rings a small silver bell. The Maiden enters.) Maiden, go to the royal guest room. Place a single pea on the bed frame. Then, gather twenty of our thickest, softest mattresses and lay them one on top of the other, right over the pea.

MAIDEN: Yes, Your Majesty. (She curtsies and exits briskly.)

PRINCE ALBERT: Twenty mattresses? Why this extravagance?

QUEEN AGATHA: True princesses are incredibly delicate. If she is genuine, she will feel the pea, even through that mountain of bedding. It is the only reliable test.

(The Princess approaches them, rubbing her arms.)

PRINCESS: I am so weary that I will collapse if I stand for another moment.

QUEEN AGATHA: Your bed is ready, my dear. I’m certain you’ll have a wonderful night’s rest. (She rings the bell again. The Maiden returns.)

MAIDEN: Yes, Your Majesty.

QUEEN AGATHA: Escort the princess to her chamber.

MAIDEN: (To the Princess) Please follow me.

QUEEN AGATHA: (To the Princess) Sleep soundly, dear. We will see you at breakfast in the morning.

PRINCESS: Thank you. Good night.

PRINCE ALBERT: Sweet dreams.

(The Maiden and the Princess exit. The Queen and Prince look at each other.)

QUEEN AGATHA: It’s been a long day. Let’s go to bed. Tomorrow, the truth will be revealed.

(The Queen and the Prince exit.)

ACT 2 – The Dining Room

Setting: The Royal Dining Room. Morning light fills the room. The Queen and Prince are at the table having breakfast.

PRINCE ALBERT: (Nervous) Do you think she slept well?

QUEEN AGATHA: We shall soon find out.

(The Princess enters. She looks utterly exhausted and moves stiffly.)

PRINCESS: Good morning. (She spies the breakfast spread.) Oh, everything looks marvelous! I am famished!

PRINCE ALBERT: (Standing quickly) Good morning! Please, join us.

(The Princess and the Prince sit.)

QUEEN AGATHA: (Smiling sweetly) Tell us, dear. How did you sleep?

PRINCESS: (Frowning) Oh, very badly! I hardly closed my eyes all night.

QUEEN AGATHA: (Feigning concern) Oh, I am truly sorry to hear that.

PRINCESS: I don’t know what was in that bed, but I tossed and turned and could not find a comfortable spot.

PRINCE ALBERT: But that’s impossible! We gave you the finest bed in the palace!

PRINCESS: All I know is that it felt as though I were lying on something small and hard, like a stone or a marble. My entire body is bruised and aches all over! I feel absolutely wretched.

PRINCE ALBERT: (Leaping to his feet, triumphant) Then you are a real princess!

PRINCESS: (Confused) What are you talking about?

PRINCE ALBERT: Nobody but a true, perfectly delicate princess could have possibly felt a tiny pea through twenty thick mattresses! It was a test, and you passed!

QUEEN AGATHA: (Nodding proudly) It is true. No roughness in the world could make a dent in a mattress, but that pea has left its mark on you, and that proves your lineage.

PRINCE ALBERT: (Taking her hand) Now I know you are the woman I have been searching for my entire life. From the moment I saw you, my heart knew you were my princess. (He kneels.) Will you marry me?

PRINCESS: (Smiling, despite the aches) Yes, I will!

(The Prince and the Princess embrace and kiss.)

In this story, the Queen’s small test revealed something far greater than royal blood — it showed compassion, truth, and gentleness. The Prince found his true princess, not because of her wealth or appearance, but because of the kindness and sincerity that shone through her delicate nature.

The story ends with a joyful celebration, reminding us that sometimes, the smallest details — like a single pea — can reveal the greatest truths.

The End

Author:  Hans Christian Andersen

Adapted by: K I D S I N C O

Moral of the story: True nobility is not about riches or titles — it’s about honesty, kindness, and a pure heart.

Moral Values: 

  • Truthfulness: The Princess never tried to prove who she was; her truth showed naturally.
  • Kindness: The Queen and Prince offered shelter and care to a stranger.
  • Patience: The Prince waited until he found someone truly genuine.
  • Wisdom: The Queen’s clever test teaches that wisdom often lies in small actions.
  • Sensitivity: The story celebrates emotional and physical awareness as signs of true humanity.

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