Princess Jenna Who Always Said No

Princess Jenna had a very strong mind.

She also had a very strong no.

She said no to wearing the tall royal hat at banquets. She said no to the dancing lessons the queen had arranged. She said no to the soup (too cold), the porridge (too lumpy), and the ceremonial welcoming of visiting ambassadors (too dull). She said no to lessons on Tuesdays and to baths on Thursdays and to going to bed on any day whatsoever.

"Jenna," said the King, one morning, looking rather tired. "Your stubbornness is going to cause great trouble one day."

"Possibly," said Jenna cheerfully. "But not yet."

The trouble, when it came, came from the east: a very large dragon who arrived at the castle gates on a Wednesday afternoon and breathed fire at the portcullis.

The knights rode out and came back immediately, minus several plumes.

The royal wizard tried three spells. The dragon appeared unimpressed.

The king looked at his daughter.

"Don't look at me," said Jenna. "Actually — do. I'll go."

"You absolutely will not," said the King.

"No one can make me not," said Jenna, which was not quite the same as saying she would. She pulled on her boots.

She walked through the castle gates.

The dragon lowered its head to look at her. It was very large indeed — the kind of large that makes you reconsider most decisions.

Jenna stood very still and looked at it steadily. This was something she was very good at. She had once outstationed a governess for forty-five minutes.

"You're frightening people," she said. "It isn't kind."

The dragon seemed surprised. This was not the usual greeting.

"Also," said Jenna, "you'll be cold tonight. This is not good dragon country. You should go somewhere warmer."

She said it matter-of-factly, the way she said most things.

The dragon blinked its great amber eyes. It seemed to be thinking.

Then — slowly, almost thoughtfully — it spread its wings and flew east.

"How did you do that?" asked the King, when Jenna came back inside.

"I just said what I thought," said Jenna.

"You do that constantly."

"Yes," she said. "It turns out it's useful."

She went to find her supper. She even ate the soup. It had been reheated.