The King of the North had three daughters, Pearl, Crystal,
and Ruby. Ruby had a deep love for horses. The King of the North favored Ruby
because of her wise, gentle, and loving spirit. Pearl and Crystal envied the
attention Ruby received from their father and wanted to get rid of her.
One night Pearl and Crystal convinced Ruby to leave the
North Kingdom to go to a valley full of wild horses. When the three daughters
got to the valley, Pearl and Crystal told Ruby to get out of the caravan and
search for the horses. As soon as Ruby got out, the two sisters quickly rode off,
leaving Ruby for dead.
After a few days of wondering around, Ruby found a village.
She soon realized that she was in the South Kingdom when she saw the castle.
Near the castle there was a sign that read “stable manager wanted!” This sign
caught her attention, but she knew she couldn’t pursue this job as a woman.
She goes into the city and decides to sell the jewels she
had on at the time. She then uses the money to buy men’s clothes. She puts on
the clothes and puts her beautiful auburn hair into a hat. To complete the look
she smudges her face with dirt.
She then walks up to the front doors of the castle and
knocks. A servant answers the door and Ruby asks about the stable manager job. The servant
escorts her to the stables. She begins to interact with the horses while the
servant fetches the prince. The prince comes out and is impressed with Ruby's
skills and therefore hires her. As they spend more time with each other, she
realizes that the prince has a great love for horses as well. As weeks go by,
the two become good friends.
One day as the prince is riding, Ruby goes to the stable to
get some shade. Not realizing that anyone was watching, Ruby takes off her hat
revealing her beautiful auburn hair. The prince sees her from a distance and
realizes that she is a woman! He is so stunned by her beauty that he gets off
his horse and runs towards her. Ruby realizes that she has been seen and tries
to hide, fearing the loss of her job. The prince tells her to come out from
hiding so he can look at her. She comes out slowly. He realizes how close they
have gotten and wants to marry her.
Meanwhile, The King of the North discovered Pearl and
Crystal’s actions towards Ruby and banishes them from the North Kingdom. The
two sisters, Pearl and Crystal, walk in search of help. They end up in the
South Kingdom and go directly to the castle. They are brought before the prince
and Ruby who are now married. Pearl and Crystal beg the prince and princess for
help. Ruby recognizes her sisters and asks them why they are in the South Kingdom.
The sisters, not recognizing Ruby, tell her that they have been banished and
they need food and shelter. Princess Ruby replies “Why are you coming to me for
help? Do you not remember taking me to a valley and leaving me for dead?” Pearl
and Crystal immediately recognize their sister and are in shock that she is
still living. They begged her for forgiveness. Ruby, being wise, gentle,
and loving forgives them.
Ruby orders one of the messengers to deliver a letter to her
father, The King of the North, to inform him that she is still alive and to
invite him to visit her in the South Kingdom. The King of the North comes immediately
to see her. When he arrives, he meets Ruby and the prince and celebrates her
life and their marriage.
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