Once upon a time, in farway land, there lived a Prince. His name was Zigfried, he was very unhappy. His father, the king had died, and since then, everyone in the palace had forgotten how to smile.

Without his father, Zigfried thought he was never feel happy again. Every day, Zigfried sat at the window in his room in the palace, looking at the birds on the trees. "How can they sing and fly so free? They must not feel like me." His servant, Ozlowe tried to make the Prince smile, by telling him jokes or doing funny tricks for him. But Prince would not smile.

"I know you love me, Ozlowe, but i cannot smile. My heart is broken".Ozlowe would not give up. "Let's go for a walk, good Prince. Maybe we can find something outside which will make you happy".

" If you wish Ozlowe, but I don't think there's anything that can make me happy",said Prince.Ozlowe put on his hunting cap and he took his cross bow. He enjoyed hunting and he hoped to catch a bird or a rabbit for the Price. They walked through the forest until they came to a lake. On the lake, they was a beautiful swan.

It had a gold crown on the beautiful swan's head, that only Princess wear. The swan swam forwards the Price and looked into his eyes. The swan's eyes were so sad that's Prince Zigfried felt sorry for it.

"Here is a creature which feels worse that I do. But why do you have that's crown on your head? "The swan opened its wings and cried out." I think it's trying to tell me something". Ozlowe had his crossbow in his hands. He wanted to shoot the swan."I'll get that swan for you, Prince. Just one minute." "Ozlowe, No!!" Said Prince. Before Ozlowe could shoot , a magic owl flew from a tree and took Ozlowe's cap off his head.

This cast a spell on him,and he was turned to stone.The Prince did not understand."Ozlowe,what happened to you?Hey,speak to me!"He loo back at the lake. The swan was gone." Everything I do was wrong, this must be happened because of me! "The Prince sadder then before thinking to himself:If only Ozlowe were here!" There is nothing good in my life anymore.

"Zigfried, soon you will be eighteen years old. You must take your father's place as King. I am going a ball on your birthday, so that you must choose a wife and I will invite all the Princess from the other Kingdom". " But i do not wish to marry, mother. I do not love anyone. "You will learn to love someone. First, you must stop thinking of yourself". " If this make me happy, I'll do it, mother". said Prince." This is not my happiness that I am doing this. It's for yours, and all the other people in this land. You see love is more than we know without it, you will not be a great King".His mother left him. He sat at the window, thinking of what her mother said. He wanted to love someone with all his heart, but he didn't know who it would be.

       On the more of the Royal Ball, everybody was very busy in the palace.The Queen's maids were preparing the Queen's dress.The servants cleaned the floor and windows and the cook were cooking enough for a thousand people.The Prince looked handsome in his red outfit.But he was still not happy.He left the palace to be alone and think,and went to the stone statue of Ozlowe.

     "It's my birthday today, Ozlowe.I'm eighteen years now.That mean that I must marry someone and become a King.The problem is I don't want get married.I don't love anyone." There was a quiet splashing in the lake.Zigfried looked and saw a beautiful swan with the gold crown. "There it is!The beautiful swan has come back." He went closer to the water to look at it.It's eyes had the same sadness in them,but it was happy to see Zigfried and it swam close to him.

      "It's my birthday today, Ozlowe.I'm eighteen years now.That mean that I must marry someone and become a King.The problem is I don't want get married.I don't love anyone." There was a quiet splashing in the lake.Zigfried looked and saw a beautiful swan with the gold crown. "There it is!The beautiful swan has come back." He went closer to the water to look at it.It's eyes had the same sadness in them,but it was happy to see Zigfried and it swam close to him.

Zigfried looked into its eyes and talked to it. "I think you understand me. I think you know how people feel." A tear feel from the swan's eyes." Don't cry. You should be happy that you are swan. You will never have to marry someone you do not love. You will never sad when someone dies. " The swan made a lot cry. Its wings moved back and it forth at its sides. Suddenly, an owl appread as it from no where and flew at Zigfried's head, but it's missed. 

          The owl flew off and the swan began to swim away.”Wait,don’t leave.” Zigfried ran round the edge of the lake following the swan.He had to run fast to see where it went.Soon,he was in part of forest,he did not know.Tall trees blocked out the sun.It was very dark.The swan swam to an ugly old castle.When it left the water,something magical happened;the swan turned into a beatiful Princess .She had long blonde hair and she wore a long white dress.The croen was still on her head.Zigfried ran to where she stood at the castle door. ”Wait!where are you going? The Princess stop but she did not look at him. "Look at me! Please.My name is Prince Zigfried and I want to know who you are". 

      The Princess turned to look at the Prince.She had the some dark,sad eyes of the swan. "My name is Princess Odile". "But why you were a swan? Why do you look so sad?. " An ever wizard called Rockford cast a spell on me.I may only leave the castle during the day as a swan". " Where is this wizard?I will talk to him. I will tell him this is wrong". " No,you mustn't. He will hurt you,I know.He does not want me to see another man". " Tell me where this man is! I will fight him and free you". " No,you must leave.He is dangerous". "I won't leave untill i see him.You must be get free". "Please.You are very kind,but you must go away". " I won't! ". 

      She looked inti his eyes again."If do want to do something for me,you will leave now". "Odile,I will leave if you want me to go.But I want you to come to the ball tonight. I must choose a wife and I want choose you". " Sorry,I can't.The wizard won't let me. "Find a way.Promise me you'll try.She spoke softly. " Alright, I'll try.