The Prince's Mirror

Once upon a time a wizard mad a mirror that could tell the truth of the one reflected in it. After the wizard had died the castle fell to ruin and the mirror hung on the wall, slowly covered in ivy. 

Many years passed and a young prince cam riding on his horse. He saw the castle and decided it would be a great adventure to explore it. So, he dismounted and approached the huge door. He tried the knob, it was locked, he tried climbing to no avail. Finally, the prince tried his final idea, knocking. The door slowly swung open. the prince entered proud of figuring out that trial, or puzzle. 

He quickly discovered that he only had one way he could go, and that was up the tower. So he started the climb. It wasn't bad at first, but there were many stairs and they soon seemed very steep. He started to struggle. He had to stop once or twice to catch his breath. 

He triumphantly reached the top. He looked around, seeing the decay and, yes, the spiders. Actively avoiding those he started down the corridor. As it got darker he started to worry for his own safety. The spiders weren't helping.

He had decided to turn around when a slight shine caught his eye. Focused on the glitter he got to the wall. Ivy covered the spot, bu pulling on his gloves he started to move the ivy aside. The ivy all gone he found his reflection in the mirror. Admiring himself he said, "I look good!"

"You look good, but your attitude stinks." the reflection said. The prince looked startled, he even checked behind the mirror for the source of the voice. 

"What?" the reflection gave him a speaking look. "Uh, what do I have to change?"

"Lower your pride. Humble yourself, and take me with you." The mirror replied. 

The prince, thinking that was a brilliant idea, pulled the heavy mirror off of the wall and started back. He avoided the spiders still and trudged down the stairs. He stopped once or twice to rest weary arms, but he continued diligently. 

Reaching the bottom he moved faster towards the door. Unnoticed to him a large rock was there to trip him up. He hit it perfectly, flying gracefully to the ground. The mirror flying and spinning off beyond. The prince watched as it fell and shattered on the ground. He stared dumbstruck that the could have happened. 

He pulled himself up and moved toward the shards of broken glass. To his surprise the glass, frame and everything disappeared. He looked around and found the mirror handing on the nearby wall. "Why are you there?"

"You cannot have me yet." 

"Why?"

"You must become a better person than you are before you can possess me." The prince was confused, but he left the mirror and mounted his horse. He left the way he had come, forgetting his previous errand. The words of the mirror followed him.

More years passed and the mirror stood empty, waiting for one to look in. Ivy again started to creep inn around its frame. One day the sound of hooves came echoing from the outside. 

Moments later the prince walked in, older and with confidence in his step. He approached the mirror and found himself looking back. "Well, I've come."

"Yes, and you are a little more humble, and not so big-headed, but you still need to change to be able to take me." the mirror said.

"Fine,"the prince walked back outside and he could be heard riding away. The mirror sat on the wall, calmly waiting. 

Many more years passed and the mirror felt old, dust covering it and the plants hiding its surface.

One morning many years since the last visit slow clopping hooves could be heard. Almost five minutes after the sound an old King shuffled into the castle. He came up to the mirror and looked at the coverings. Gently, he cleared off the plants and dust. 

He looked at his aged reflection which said,"Well, you are back."

"I am."

"Have you learned  your lesson?"

"I think so," the king replied.

"Are you humble?"

"I think so, I now serve others and help them with a lot of things. I don't focus on myself anymore. And I know that I am not the most important thing now." 

His reflection nodded thoughtfully,"Then, you may take me."

The king, being old now, struggled to try and lift the mirror off of the wall. Failing a second time he paused. "You know, I won't take you with me." 

"Why not?" The reflection asked.

"You helped me change. If I leave you here you can help others to change too." The king said.

His reflection smiled. "You have learned your lesson."