The Princess Nobody: A Tale of Fairyland

In Short

Andrew Lang’s The Princess Nobody: A Tale of Fairyland is a lighthearted classic fairy tale constructed to accompany the intricate illustrations of Richard Doyle. When a king carelessly promises the unknown "Niente" to a frog-riding dwarf in exchange for an heir, his newborn daughter is named Niente and instantly targeted. To save her, the Water Fairy makes the infant vanish into Mushroom Land. Years later, the odd, selfless Prince Comical embarks on a quest alongside a guiding Black Beetle to rescue her. Blending mischievous magic, strict fairy laws, and gentle humor, the story endures as a celebrated Victorian bedtime fantasy.

The Story

The tale opens in a realm bordering Fairy Land, where a childless King and Queen desperately wish for an heir. Tired after counting tribute money, the King declares he would give his entire kingdom for a baby. A funny little Dwarf in a red cap, riding a green Frog, offers him a child in exchange for "Niente"—the Italian word for "nothing." The King agrees without understanding the term. Soon after, while the King is away fighting a war between Ghosts and Giants, the Queen gives birth to a tiny, winged princess. Unaware of the deal, the courtiers name her Niente, though the common folk affectionately call her the Princess Nobody.

When Niente reaches fourteen, the Dwarf returns to claim her. Desperate, the King consults the child's godmother, the Queen of the Water Fairies. To keep the girl from the Dwarf, the Water Fairy makes the Princess vanish, sending her away on a bird to Mushroom Land, where she can only be rescued by a brave prince.

The King and Queen offer their daughter’s hand and three-quarters of their kingdom to any prince who brings her back. Dozens of suitors arrive, holding grand jousts on beetles and grasshoppers before venturing into Fairy Land. Among them is Prince Comical, an ugly, older-looking royal who is mocked by the others but possesses a noble heart. While searching, Comical saves a Daddy Long Legs from three tormenting boys. In gratitude, the creature introduces him to a wise Black Beetle.

The Black Beetle leads the princes into Mushroom Land, warning them never to sleep beneath the local mushrooms. The other suitors ignore the advice, fall into an unbreakable magical slumber, and are left behind. Guided by a Blue Bird whose eggs he briefly confiscates, Prince Comical reaches the Queen of Mushroom Land. Appreciating his inner virtue, she transforms him into a handsome prince in a gold-colored robe.

He finds the hidden Princess Niente, who accepts his proposal, and they marry in the Church of the Elves. However, she warns him never to discover or speak her secret true name. Driven by curiosity, the Prince overhears her singing a lullaby revealing her name is Gwendoline. Spoken aloud, the magic breaks: Gwendoline vanishes, and the Prince reverts to his ugly form.

Heartbroken, Prince Comical wanders the magical valley until Puck, the court jester, intercedes. Directed back to the Water Fairy, the Prince demonstrates his genuine remorse. She permits him to seek Gwendoline again in Mushroom Land. After chasing her around a mushroom, he wins her forgiveness with a kiss. His handsome appearance returns, the sleeping princes are awakened, and the couple returns to the kingdom in triumph. The Black Beetle is appointed to a high court office, and the land remains perpetually happy.

How It Unfolds

The rash bargain A childless King promises "Niente" to a frog-riding Dwarf in exchange for a child, not realizing it means "nothing." When his daughter is born, courtiers name her Niente, sealing her tragic fate.

The vanishing princess The Dwarf returns fourteen years later to collect his prize. To protect her, the Water Fairy causes the Princess to fade away and fly to Mushroom Land, leaving the King to offer her hand to any rescuer.

The faithful ally Prince Comical, an ugly but kind suitor, rescues a trapped insect and earns the guidance of a wise Black Beetle. He heeds the Beetle's warnings while his arrogant rivals fall asleep under magical mushrooms.

A royal transformation After persuading the Blue Bird to lead him to the Queen of Mushroom Land, Comical is rewarded for his pure heart. She transforms him into a handsome prince, leading him straight to the hidden Princess.

The broken secret Married in Fairy Land, the Princess forbids her husband from learning her true name. Curiosity overcomes him, and upon discovering she is named Gwendoline, he speaks it aloud, causing her to vanish and stripping away his beauty.

Forgiveness and return Through Puck's intervention and the Water Fairy's guidance, the repentant Prince tracks Gwendoline down and earns her forgiveness with a kiss. They return home to rule a peaceful kingdom alongside their insect courtier.

The People

• The King: A well-meaning ruler whose reckless words create the central crisis. He desperately wants an heir, yet his ignorance of language leads him to bargain away his daughter's freedom.
• Princess Niente (Gwendoline): A delicate royal born with tiny wings, light enough to sit on flowers without crushing them. She lives happily among birds and fairies until magical laws force her into hiding and test her trust in her husband.
• Prince Comical (Prince Charming): An unhandsome, mocked suitor whose kindness sets him apart from other suitors. He values honor, protects helpless insects, and undergoes a physical transformation reflecting his inner virtue.
• The Dwarf: A bizarre antagonist with a short curling beard, high red cap, and green coat who rides a green Frog. He uses wordplay to entrap the King and claim the Princess.
• The Black Beetle: A pragmatic, highly loyal insect guide. He acts as the voice of reason, directing Prince Comical through Mushroom Land and eventually earning a permanent post as a respected court official.

In Its Own Voice

"I made it up out of my pate, / And wasted midnight oil, / Interpreting each cut and plate-- / The works of DICKY DOYLE!"

Andrew Lang opens the tale by dedicating his verse to young readers, explaining how he crafted the narrative around pre-existing Victorian artwork.

"She had little wings on her back; and all the birds were fond of her."

The narrator paints a whimsical picture of Princess Niente's early childhood playing alongside the creatures of the palace gardens.

"The Prince sat down on a fallen Mushroom, and hid his face in his hands, and, in a moment, all his beautiful hair vanished, and his splendid clothes, and his gold train, and his Crown."

When curiosity drives the Prince to break the fairy law by speaking Gwendoline's secret name, his magic instantly unravels.

What It's Really About

Beneath its playful tone, the book examines the weight of promises and the consequences of rash speech. The King's careless bargain introduces a recurring theme: words carry power, whether through contract tricks or forbidden names. The story also contrasts outer appearance with internal character. Prince Comical succeeds where handsome suitors fail because he exercises compassion toward humble creatures and respects the warnings of his guides. Furthermore, the narrative highlights the necessity of respecting personal boundaries within a marriage. When the Prince invades his wife's privacy by uncovering her hidden name, he loses everything and must demonstrate genuine repentance, patience, and humility before his happiness can be restored.

Why Read It Today

The Princess Nobody offers a charming window into Victorian fairy-tale traditions. Modern readers will enjoy its light self-awareness, quick pacing, and gentle humor. Andrew Lang tells the story with a casual, fireside intimacy, frequently leaning in to comment on the oddities of Fairy Land or the absurdities of court life.

The narrative carries minimal friction for contemporary audiences. While it utilizes traditional folklore tropes—such as foolish kings, magical taboos, and altered appearances—it treats them with a light, humorous touch rather than heavy moralizing. Readers should note that the plot was specifically invented to fit existing engravings, giving the story an episodic, picture-book rhythm where visual details directly drive the action. Anyone who appreciates classic folklore, playful fantasy, or historical children's literature will find it a delightful, fast-paced read that captures the lingering enchantment of old-fashioned storytelling.