Once upon a time..

I was read this story a long time ago and I have made a promise since.  You may think this story is silly but the core value is amazing.


Long ago, in a wonderful castle on a mountain of splendor, a beautiful princess was born. Her parents were the king and queen of the mountain and all the green valley below.


The king and queen loved the little princess even before the she was were born. On the day she came into the word, the royal
 couple gave their daughter a very special gift from God-her first kiss. While the princess was growing up, the king and queen kept this precious gift safe in their care.

Picture of queen and king sitting on a bench with a bunch of sunflowers. Baby reaching out to mother who is holding her.

 When the princess was finally grown,  the king and queen called her to their side. "We have something very special for you," said the queen. Up, up, up, the royal family went to a secret room in a tower of the castle. On an elegant table at the center of the room was the same gift given to the princess long ago. The kiss.

Picture of king and queen leading daughter up a winding staircase to this really cool and mysterious wooden door. Next page the princess is staring at a glass encased golden glowing orb thing on a carved stand with a overly starched red pillow. 

"God gave this gift to you on the day you were born," said the queen, "Because He loves you so dearly."  "And now," continued the king, "This kiss is yours to kept or to give away as you see fit." the princess stared in amazement. She had never before received such a wonderful present. "But use wisdom, my daughter," warned the king, "and save your kiss for the man you marry. Never part with it for the sake of a stranger." The wise little princess took her father's words to heart and kept the kiss safe in the castle tower. But there were many days when she went to gaze at her precious possession. She wondered how she could ever give it up.

 Picture of king, queen and their daughter staring at it.

 Finally there came a day when suitors began to appear, asking for the princess' hand in marriage. The first man who came to court her was Prince Peacock. "See the great muscles I have, princess!" He said. "I will always be able to save you from danger. I can run faster and jump higher than any other prince in the world. I am mighty! Marry me, for I am a man among men." The princess watched as Prince Peacock lift heavy boulders and run the length of the castle wall. His strength was impressive, but the wise princess saw that his heart was full of himself. She knew there would be no room for her kiss there, so the princess sent Prince Peacock away.


 Picture of an athletic man trying to impress princess. Princess looks scared, with good reason because he looks scary

 The next day, Prince Romance came to visit the princess. He brought dozens of boxes of roses and chocolates. "I can take you to many far off places, princess," he said. "We will eat the choicest foods. We will see marvelous sights. Marry me, princess. Everyday will seem like a honeymoon if you are with me." The princess thought about what Prince Romance had said. It sounded very interesting and exciting, but the wise princess knew that honeymoons and wonderful feelings could not last forever.  This prince would soon lose interest in her kiss. The princess turned Prince Romance politely away.

Picture of prince handing her a rose and looks like he is about to quote poetry to her. Princess stares at rose in her hand. Looks like she thinks there is a bug in it.


On the following morning, Prince Treasurechest came to call. He brought gifts of gold, jewels and costly silken robes. "See the presents I have brought you princess," he said.  "You will never lack for fine clothes. Marry me, princess, for I can give you the best of everything." Indeed, when the princess saw the beautiful things the prince had brought her, she did not doubt that he would buy her anything her heart desired. "But with all these riches," she thought, "he does not need my kiss. My kiss will not be special to him." So the princess sent Prince Treasurechest away.

Rather large bearded man holds a rather ugly dress up to the princess and looking bored. Princess looks at the man and seems to be wondering about his taste in clothing

Many men came, one by one, to ask for the princess' hand in marriage. One by one she turned them all away. None seemed worthy of her kiss. She began to doubt that she would ever find a husband. One night, she spoke with her mother, the queen, about her fears.

 Bunch of awkward men lined up. Princess looks like she is falling asleep. The next sleeping beauty? i think not:)

 "Mama," the princess asked,"will I ever find a man so special that I will be able to give him my kiss?" The queen smiled,  gazing at the many stars twinkling above in the velvet night. "Oh, yes, my dear. I think God will bring a husband to you. But, if he does not, the kiss will be yours to treasure forever." the princess took comfort in that thought, for she knew that God could be trusted, and she cherished the kiss for all that she was.

Mother and daughter in a rosebush garden staring up at the night sky as depicted above.

The next day, a common man came to the castle, he asked to see the princess. The man was dressed in farmers' clothes and did not look like the suitors who had lately come to call. Strong and handsome, his hands were rough from working in the king's field, and his face was tanned from the sun. "Who is he?" the servants wondered as he was led through the castle. The man was taken to the royal garden where the princess and her parents were walking among the rosebushes.

Picture of man knocking on what looks to be the servants entrance to the castle. An old man pops his head out. Lantern in hand, appears to have been napping on duty.

 The farmer bowed humbly, and addressed the king and queen. "May I speak with your daughter?" He asked. The princess' mother and father were surprised. Who was this man? He seemed common-yet kindness was in his manner. Nodding slowly, the king and queen moved aside and stood close by. The man looked into the princess' eyes. "I have worked in your fathers fields for many years. I prayed and watched and waited for the one who could be my wife yet found no one. Then one day I saw you walking on the palace lawn. Your beauty was marvelous and your purity sparkled like diamonds." The princess blushed, and her heart began to beat wildly. "I have little to offer you, princess," the man said softly. "I have no gold. I have no means to travel the earth. I am not as strong as many." The farmer stopped and the princess was afraid that he would not continue. Then he whispered, "But I do have one very special gift I can give you."

Picture of man bowing before king and queen in garden. Both parents are blocking the princess from him. Princess tries to peek over her tall fathers shoulder. Flip page and the man takes out a bag that is glowing, he opens it and gets down on his knee. Princess looks amazed.

"This is my first kiss, princess," said the man. "God gave this gift to me on the day I was born. My parents kept it for me until I became a man. I have saved it all my life for you. Would you be my wife?" The king, queen and the princess rejoiced and embraced the humble farmer. Was there any doubt that he was the one, the one the princess had been waiting for? The princess thought her heart would burst with joy! "Yes!" she cried. "Oh, yes, with all my heart!"

Picture of man and princess holding hands, encircled by the king and queen.

On the day of the wedding, the princess and her soon to be husband, were dressed in magnificent clothes and stood before the alter in the royal church, where all the lords and ladies of the kingdom gathered for the celebration. There, with the sun streaming through the windows, they exchanged their kisses and God and all the kingdom sang with happiness. The prince and princess lived happily ever after. Soon God gave them a child of their own. And on the day of the baby's birth, the wise prince and princess received for their child a very special gift from God...

Picture of wedding ceremony. You probably already know what that looks like.. 

 "Love.. Comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith."  1 Timothy 1:5 NIV

Hoped you liked it and comment below on your thoughts! Please note though that life doesn't end happily ever after;)