A long time ago, there lived a King and Queen who yearned every day for a child, but their wish remained unfulfilled. One day, while the Queen was out riding, a witch emerged from the woods, nearly colliding with her. The witch declared, “Your wish shall be granted; within a year, you shall have a son.”
True to the witch's words, the Queen gave birth to a handsome baby boy. The King, overjoyed, ordered a grand feast. He invited not only his family, friends, and acquaintances but also the Wise Women of the kingdom to bless the child. There were thirteen Wise Women, but with only twelve golden plates, one had to be left out.
The feast was magnificent. Each Wise Woman bestowed a magical gift upon the baby: one gave virtue, another beauty, a third wealth, and so forth. However, just as the eleventh Wise Woman finished, the thirteenth, who had been excluded, stormed in angrily. She cursed the child, proclaiming, “On his fifteenth birthday, the King’s son shall prick himself with a spindle and die.” Without another word, she left.
The twelfth Wise Woman, who had not yet given her blessing, stepped forward. Though she couldn't completely undo the curse, she softened it, saying, “He will not die, but will fall into a deep sleep for a hundred years.”
Desperate to protect his son, the King ordered every spindle in the kingdom to be burned. Despite this, the blessings of the Wise Women took hold, and the prince grew up to be handsome, kind, and wise, beloved by all.
On the prince's fifteenth birthday, while the King and Queen were away, he explored the palace. Eventually, he found an old tower with a small door. Inside, an old woman was spinning flax. Curious, the prince asked, “What are you doing?” The old woman replied, “I am spinning.” Intrigued, the prince took the spindle and pricked his finger.
Instantly, the prince fell into a deep sleep. This sleep spread throughout the palace: the King and Queen, who had just returned, the court, the horses, the dogs, the pigeons, even the fire and cooking food—all fell asleep. A dense thorn hedge grew around the castle, hiding it completely.
Many years passed, and the tale of the beautiful sleeping prince, named Brian-Rose, became legend. Many princes attempted to rescue him but were ensnared by the thorns and met tragic ends.
One day, a prince heard the story and decided to find Brian-Rose. The old man who told him the tale warned him, but the prince was determined. As he approached the hedge, it magically parted, allowing him to pass. Inside, he found the entire palace asleep. Finally, he reached the tower room where Brian-Rose lay. A monster attacked the prince, but he fought bravely and defeated it. He then approached Brian-Rose and, overcome by his beauty, kissed him.
Brian-Rose awoke, and together they descended the tower. The King, Queen, and everyone in the palace awoke, astonished. Life resumed in the palace as if nothing had happened.
The King’s son and Brian-Rose were soon married in a splendid celebration, and they lived happily ever after.