Hello there, readers! Welcome to another chapter of Issue 8 of HMN : ) As the title suggests, this chapter is your amazing monthly Rewritten Stories! I will be rewriting the tale of Sleeping Beauty, and to be honest, I think I’ve altered the entire plot 0_0 Whatever the case, I am pretty sure my story will be interesting enough for you, dearest readers :)

Before I tell you my story, here’s a very brief synopsis: Sleeping Beauty is a story about a girl who is doomed to sleep forever due to some unpleasant events during her christening. Luckily for her, a prince comes along and kisses her, which awakens her from the slumber.

Now, let’s dive into my story!

Aurora And The Awakening

Imagine a land covered in a weird, strange, eerie silence. Pure, pure, quiet. All you could hear was nothingness.
Some individuals would love to be in this situation. A world devoid of screaming, yelling, and fighting. Simply serenity, permeating every bodily cell and lulling you into a profound slumber.

But for others, it would be unsettling.

For Aurora, that was undoubtedly the case. She had just woken from a brief snooze that she’d taken after sewing a dress.

She was now trapped in this strange scenario where everyone around her was sleeping—and she, for whatever reason, was not.

“What should I do?” She said to herself, wringing her hands, her voice reverberating in her head. Her eyes observed her surroundings, noting the numerous people leaning on railways, snoring. The last thing she remembered was touching an odd, luminous ball of light...

Finding a solution, evidently, was the wisest course of action at this time. Aurora made her way into the forest in front of her.

The wind whistled cheerfully and soared through the Everlasting Forest like a graceful ballerina. Vibrant birds in shades of golden, azure, and mahogany darted by ancient trees, their tweets resonating like an orchestra. Insects chirped in the messy undergrowth while metallic feet trudged through the woods.

“Agh!” Aurora yelped as she slipped on the wet, muddy ground for what felt like the hundredth time. She steadied herself by grabbing on to a tree trunk, the rough bark scratching her and leaving a faint scar. Aurora tried to divert herself by following a sweet aroma that had trapped her attention.

As she trudged through the forest, winding around the thick trees, she was once again sidetracked by a strange yet beautiful melody, begging her to follow it. Seeking the source of the disturbance, the princess crept past long, broken branches, thick, green flora, and snails the size of mangoes.

At last, Aurora finally stumbled upon a beautiful stream that was as clear as diamonds. Tiny rainbow fish frolicked through it, blowing bubbles and enjoying themselves.

Aurora sat down on a boulder nearby, thinking deeply to herself. Hmm... she had just woken up from a nap... and everyone in her vicinity was still sleeping.

“It must have been that crystal globe I touched,” she thought sadly to herself, burying her face in her hands, trying to find a way out of this.

“Could I help you, ma’am?” said a little fish from the stream nearby. Aurora didn’t register the fact that an animal was talking to her. An empathetic creature. She didn’t hesitate before explaining her predicament.

“Look, yesterday I went outside the castle with my spinning wheel and spun some fibre into yarn. I was exhausted and on the verge of falling asleep when I discovered a small crystal ball in my pocket. Without second thought, I touched it and cradled it in the palm of my hand. The next thing I know, everyone was asleep around me as I woke up at the forest's fringes.”

“Ah, I think this can easily be resolved. Regretfully, I'm not sure how this occurred, but I can provide a solution! If you venture further into the forest, you may be able to find an olive tree. Simply snap off a branch and whisper your desire to it. It may give you a solution, or it may instantly grant your wish.”

Aurora didn’t stand around, waiting to hear anything else. After expressing her sincere gratitude to the fish, she continued to journey deeper into the forest when a spirit materialised out of the shadows and gave her a cold glare.

Stop right here,
You have no right, alas,
I will speak a riddle,
Make sure to answer wisely, then pass.

Aurora rolled her eyes. She had heard of the ethereal, remarkable, mumbo-jumbo spirits before. She nodded, impatiently waiting for the spirit to reveal the riddle.

I hang in the sky,
During the day, during the night,
Clouds are my blankets,
When I sleep during the day.

Aurora frowned, pondering. Something that was perpetually suspended in the sky. Clouds obscured it during the day, which means it’s only visible at night.

“AHA!” Aurora suddenly cried, grinning. “The moon.”

The spirit nodded and let her move forward.

Aurora continued down the track for what felt like hours. She walked and walked, climbed when she had to, and swam against the current.

At last, she came across a stunning olive tree. She ascended the rugged trunk and gripped one of the robust branches. She would have to pull with all her might.

Aurora pulled and pulled and pulled until SNAP! The branch broke off, and Aurora descended from the tree, triumphant.

“Please, olive branch, please, help the kingdom regain consciousness. I apologise. It’s truly my fault that I touched the crystal globe.”

Suddenly, the olive branch started blazing. A melodic voice rang through the forest.

“Aurora, Aurora, Aurora... soon to be queen of the kingdom. I have granted your wish—all you must do now is murmur “sunlight, shine bright, not a time to sleep, not a time to fight” into your friends’, families', and subjects’ ears. They shall regain consciousness soon after that. Additionally, I want to thank you for your persistence. You are bloody, bruised, and battered, but you got into this state for the sake of your kingdom! Well done; it’s great that you are the heir apparent.”

Aurora brushed away a tear, touched. Beaming, she jogged out of the forest, determined to restore the kingdom to its former state.

I sincerely hope you enjoyed reading my story, readers. I know it’s completely different from the original (it is rewritten, after all), but I still hope you enjoyed it! Thank you for reading, and goodbye!

Written by Hazel Antler.
Edited by Marlee Potter.
Proofread by Lily.