Ricky of the Tuft

Once there was a queen who had a little son. The boy was not handsome, and a little tuft stood straight up on his head. But a good fairy came to the christening and said: "He shall be named Ricky of the Tuft. He will become wiser than all others. Furthermore, he receives a gift: he shall be able to impart his wisdom to the one he loves most." So Ricky grew up at court. He was still not handsome, but he was funny, quick-witted, and wise. Everyone who got to know him laughed at his stories and gladly listened to his advice.

In a neighboring land, two princesses were born. The eldest was so beautiful that everyone became speechless upon seeing her. But she possessed little understanding, a fact that often saddened her. The younger sister was not beautiful, but she was sharp as a knife, curious, learned everything quickly, and could answer every question with wisdom. When the princesses were born, a fairy also appeared. She had been unable to bestow upon the eldest both beauty and wisdom, nor upon the younger both beauty and wisdom. But she whispered a secret comfort to each of them. To the eldest, beautiful yet worried about her lack of wisdom, she whispered: "One day you can make the one you love beautiful in your eyes and in the eyes of others." That secret settled quietly in the princess's heart and was almost forgotten.

As the sisters grew older, everyone admired the younger's wit, but many withdrew upon seeing her face. The eldest received compliments for her appearance, yet when she spoke, people quickly lost patience. She heard whispers and giggles, and often hid herself away to cry.

One day, the beautiful princess became lost in the forest. She was crying by a spring when a small gentleman, with a funny tuft on his head, stepped forward. He bowed politely. "Good day, princess. Why are you so sorrowful?"

"I am so tired of everyone thinking I am just a pretty face," she sighed. "When I speak, everything goes wrong. I would give anything to be wise."

Ricky of the Tuft smiled kindly. "My name is Ricky. I have received a gift from a fairy: I can impart wisdom to the one I love most. And I love you, princess, ever since I first heard of you. If you promise to marry me in one year, I shall give you the wisdom you desire this very day."

The princess was at first frightened. Ricky was truly not handsome. But his eyes were kind, and his voice sounded reassuring. She recalled all the times she had embarrassed herself and said at last: "I promise. If I become wise and succeed in bringing honor back to my name, I shall marry you in one year, on this very day."

"So it shall be," said Ricky. He touched her hand lightly and said: "Receive what I can give. And use it well."

In that same moment, the world felt different to the princess. Words found her like birds settling into their nest. She could think clearly, ask questions, answer correctly, and discern connections she had never seen before. Ricky smiled and showed the way out of the forest. "Farewell until we meet again, my princess," he said.

When she returned to the castle, everyone noticed the profound change within her. She spoke with calm and brilliance, offered wise counsel, comforted others, and made herself understood with ease. Soon, kings and princes from many lands sought to court her, not merely for her beauty, but for her newfound understanding. The court shone with feasts, conversations, and music. Amidst all this, the princess almost forgot her promise.

Time passed, and the day a year hence approached. One morning, as the castle rested after a grand ball, the princess walked alone in the forest to ponder. She came upon a clearing. The ground was strewn with flowers, lamps hung in the trees, and a whole retinue awaited her. A small, stately dressed man stepped forward, a warm smile upon his face. It was Ricky of the Tuft.

"My princess," he said mildly, "today marks one year since our meeting by the spring. I have come to ask you to keep your word."

The princess's heart beat fiercely. She remembered her promise, and all the good her newfound wisdom had brought. She saw Ricky's goodness and his faithfulness. But she was also afraid, for she knew she did not yet love him as a husband and wife should. She hesitated and said honestly: "Ricky, you gave me a gift that changed my life. I wish to be honorable. But how can I marry someone I do not love? And I will not lie: I have always dreamed that the one I marry should be beautiful."

Ricky nodded, without becoming angered. "You speak truth, and truth is valuable. But do you remember what the fairy whispered when you were born? You have a secret gift. If you love someone, you can make him beautiful in your eyes and in everyone's eyes. It lies in your power."

The princess looked surprised. A faint memory awakened within her, like an ember stirring beneath ash. "Is it true?" she whispered.

"It is true," answered Ricky. "But no one can command a heart. I do not ask you for false words. Use your understanding, which is now your own. Look at me. Weigh what you think is ugly against what you think is good. I cannot change my face myself, but I can be faithful, kind, and equally steadfast in joy as in sorrow. Sometimes what one chooses with the heart becomes beautiful because one has chosen it."

The princess stood silent for a long moment. She remembered how he had met her in the forest, how he had never boasted about his gift, how he had waited a whole year without pressing her, and how he now asked her to be true. She saw his eyes, which were full of genuine care. She felt her heart stir, softly but surely.

"Ricky," she said at last, "when I look at you now, I see more than your tuft and your face. I see your goodness, your wisdom, and how you keep a promise. I believe that is what is truly beautiful. I... I love you."

In that same instant, a transformation became visible. Perhaps it was the fairy's gift. Perhaps it was love itself. Ricky's features softened, his bearing grew graceful, and the funny tuft suddenly seemed like an adornment. Everyone in the clearing drew a collective breath. He was now as pleasant to look at as he had always been to listen to.

The wedding was celebrated there in the forest, and then in both kingdoms. The younger princess also became happy, for people now began to see her sharp mind first and her appearance last, and a man who loved her wisdom soon saw her face as the most beautiful in all the world.

And so they lived happily ever after. In the kingdoms they said: "Beauty is a gift, but it fades if no kindness resides behind it. Wisdom is a treasure, but it shines brightest when it is shared. And love—it can make both heart and eyes new."