by Jay Snyder

Created on: November 23, 2009   Last Updated: November 25, 2009

Princess Mei-Mei Meets New Friends

Once upon a time, in a beautiful land called China, there lived a princess. Her name was Princess Mei-Mei. Princess Mei-Mei lived with her parents, the Emperor and Empress, in the Forbidden City in Beijing. Even though she was a princess, Mei-Mei was not a spoiled child. Everyone who met her loved her for her kind heart and actions toward others. In fact, everyone in the kingdom loved and respected the entire royal family for their generosity and fairness to all.

One day Princess Mei-Mei took a walk in the palace gardens. While she was walking, she heard the sound of something moving in the trees high above her. She stopped and looked to see what it could be. As she looked around, though, she saw nothing.

Princess Mei-Mei began to walk again. And again, she heard the sound.

She looked again and saw nothing.

Whoever is moving in the trees above me, please let me see you, she gently said.

She heard the sound again. Only this time, she also heard a small voice speak.

Do not worry Princess Mei-Mei. I will not harm you.

If you will not harm me, then please let me see who you are.

Very well, then. I shall.

As Princess Mei-Mei stood there, she looked up and saw a rustling in the leaves above her head. Suddenly, a monkey dressed in bright red and gold clothing swooped down from the trees, landed in front of her, and made a great, low bow.

Dear Princess Mei-Mei, it is I, the Monkey King. I was following you this morning.

It is so nice to meet you, Monkey King. I have heard much about you.

As I have heard of you, dear Princess.

Why were you following me this morning?

I wanted to meet you, but was afraid to come right out for fear of scaring you.

Dear Monkey King, you could never scare me. You are far too kind to ever do that.

Thank you, Princess Mei-Mei. It is true that I would never scare you for I love you as do all the people of China.

They walked together for a while in the garden. As they walked, they came upon a baby panda eating some bamboo at the edge of the garden by the wall that bordered the forest. The baby panda saw them and became frightened. He began to cry.

Baby panda, said Princess Mei-Mei, we will not hurt you. Please stop crying.

Who are you? asked the baby panda.

I am Princess Mei-Mei and this is the Monkey King.

Oh, Princess Mei-Mei, said the baby panda. I have heard so much about you and now that I know it is you, I know that you will not hurt me.

What is your name, dear little panda?

My name is Baiyun. I usually stay in the forest, but I smelled the sweet bamboo here in your garden and I was so hungry.

That is fine. We have plenty of bamboo and you are most welcome here to come and eat. If I am walking in the garden, may I sit and talk with you sometimes?

That would be very nice. I would enjoy the company, said Baiyun.

It was getting late in the day and Princess Mei-Mei needed to get back to the palace for dinner. She said goodbye to her new friends and hurried back to the palace. When she arrived home, she told her parents about meeting the Monkey King and Baiyun in the garden.

That was very nice of you to meet them and become their friend, said her father.

Yes, it was, my dear, sweet child, said her mother.

After dinner, Princess Mei-Mei read a book and colored a picture of her adventures from the day. Soon, it was time for bed.

Her father carried her to her room where she brushed her teeth and got dressed for bed. He read her a bedtime story, tucked her in, gave her a kiss on the forehead, one on the left cheek, one on the right cheek and one on her chin, and said good night.

Princess Mei-Mei soon fell fast asleep.

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