Putri Tidur di Tengah Hutan

Pada zaman dahulu, hiduplah seorang Raja dan seorang Ratu yang sangat berduka lara lantaran tidak memiliki keturunan, sedemikian nestapanya hingga tak terperi dengan kata-kata. Mereka mengunjungi segala sumber mata air berkhasiat di dunia; kaul, ziarah, segala jalan telah ditempuh, namun semuanya sia-sia belaka.

There were formerly a King and a Queen, who were so sorry that they had no children, so sorry that it cannot be expressed. They went to all the waters in the world; vows, pilgrimages, all ways were tried and all to no purpose.

Kendati demikian, pada akhirnya sang Ratu mengandung dan melahirkan seorang anak perempuan.

At last, however, the Queen proved with child, and was brought to bed of a daughter.

Diadakanlah upacara permandian yang teramat megah; dan sang Putri beroleh ibu-ibu baptis berupa semua Peri yang dapat mereka temukan di seantero kerajaan (mereka mendapati tujuh peri), agar setiap peri dapat memberinya karunia, sebagaimana adat kebiasaan para Peri pada masa itu, dan agar dengan cara demikian sang Putri memiliki segala kesempurnaan yang dapat dibayangkan.

There was a very fine christening; and the Princess had for her godmothers all the Fairies they could find in the whole kingdom (they found seven), that every one of them might give her a gift, as was the custom of Fairies in those days, and that by this means the Princess might have all the perfections imaginable.

Seusai upacara permandian dituntaskan, segenap hadirin kembali ke istana Raja, tempat disiapkannya perjamuan raya bagi para Peri.

After the ceremonies of the christening were over, all the company returned to the King’s palace, where was prepared a great feast for the Fairies.

Di hadapan masing-masing peri tersaji seperangkat peranti makan yang megah berwadahkan emas murni, di dalamnya terdapat sendok, pisau, dan garpu, kesemuanya terbuat dari emas murni yang bertatahkan intan dan mirah delima.

There was placed before every one of them a magnificent cover with a case of massive gold, wherein were a spoon, knife and fork, all of pure gold set with diamonds and rubies.

Akan tetapi, tatkala mereka semua hendak duduk di meja perjamuan, tampaklah memasuki balairung seorang Peri yang teramat renta, yang tidak mereka undang, lantaran telah lebih dari lima puluh tahun peri itu tidak pernah keluar dari sebuah menara tertentu, dan ia disangka telah mati atau terkena sihir.

But as they were all sitting down at table, they saw come into the hall a very old Fairy whom they had not invited, because it was above fifty years since she had been out of a certain tower, and she was believed to be either dead or inchanted.

Raja memerintahkan agar disediakan peranti makan untuknya, namun tidak dapat memberinya wadah emas sebagaimana peri-peri lainnya, sebab wadah tersebut hanya dibuat tujuh buah untuk ketujuh Peri. Peri renta itu merasa dirinya dihina, lalu menggumamkan ancaman di balik giginya.

The King ordered her a cover, but could not furnish her with a case of gold as the others, because they had seven only made for the seven Fairies. The old Fairy fancied she was slighted, and muttered some threat between her teeth.

Salah seorang Peri muda yang duduk di sampingnya mendengar gerutuan tersebut; dan seraya menimbang bahwa peri renta itu barangkali akan memberi sang Putri cilik suatu karunia celaka, ia pun bergegas, begitu mereka bangkit dari meja perjamuan, menyembunyikan diri di balik tirai gantung, agar ia dapat berbicara paling akhir dan memperbaiki, sejauh daya yang dimilikinya, kejahatan yang mungkin diniatkan oleh peri tua itu.

One of the young Fairies, who sat by her, overheard how she grumbled; and judging that she might give the little Princess some unlucky gift, went, as soon as they rose from the table, and hid herself behind the hangings, that she might speak last, and repair, as much as possible she could, the evil which the old Fairy might intend.

Sementara itu, segenap Peri mulai mempersembahkan karunia mereka kepada sang Putri.

In the mean while all the Fairies began to give their gifts to the Princess.

Peri yang termuda menganugerahkan karunia bahwa ia akan menjadi manusia paling rupawan di jagat raya; peri berikutnya, bahwa ia akan memiliki kecerdasan laksana malaikat; peri ketiga, bahwa ia akan memiliki keanggunan yang memesona dalam segala hal yang ia lakukan; peri keempat, bahwa ia akan menari dengan teramat sempurna; peri kelima, bahwa ia akan bernyanyi laksana burung bulbul; dan peri keenam, bahwa ia akan memainkan segala rupa alat musik dengan kesempurnaan tertinggi.

The youngest gave her for gift, that she should be the most beautiful person in the world; the next, that she should have the wit of an angel; the third, that she should have a wonderful grace in every thing she did; the fourth, that she should dance perfectly well; the fifth, that she should sing like a nightingale; and the sixth, that she should play upon all kinds of music to the utmost perfection.

Giliran sang Peri tua pun tiba berikutnya; seraya menggelengkan kepala lebih karena rasa dengki ketimbang usianya yang renta, ia berkata, bahwa tangan sang Putri akan tertusuk jarum pemintal, dan mangkat lantaran luka tersebut.

The old Fairy’s turn coming next, with a head shaking more with spite than age, she said, that the Princess should have her hand pierced with a spindle, and die of the wound.

Karunia yang mengerikan ini membuat segenap hadirin gemetar, dan setiap orang meratap tersedu-sedu.

This terrible gift made the whole company tremble, and every body fell a-crying.

Tepat pada saat itulah, sang Peri muda melangkah keluar dari balik tirai gantung, seraya mengucapkan kata-kata ini dengan lantang:

At this very instant the young Fairy came out from behind the hangings, and spake these words aloud:

“Tenangkanlah hati Anda sekalian, wahai Baginda Raja dan Ratu; putri Anda tidak akan mangkat lantaran kemalangan ini: memang benar, aku tiada berkuasa untuk membatalkan sepenuhnya apa yang telah diperbuat oleh sesepuhku.

“Be reassured, O King and Queen; your daughter shall not die of this disaster: it is true, I have no power to undo intirely what my elder has done.