Sleeping Beauty

Once upon a time, a little girl was born to two loving parents. They had a nice little home in a little cul-de-sac in the middle of the country, and the little girl played with other children who lived in the cul-de-sac, and rode her bike, and walked to school through wind, and rain, and sunshine. She had lots of dolls to play with, and she called her favourite doll Rosy Primrose. She had lots of books to read, and her Mummy wrote her stories to read when she came home from school. This little girl loved lying in bed, and complained when her Mummy woke her up to go to playgroup, so everybody called her Sleeping Beauty.
One day, her Mummy had another little girl. This little girl was very adored by everybody, and because a middle child had died, she seemed even extra special. Then, their Daddy got a new job, and the little family moved from the cul-de-sac to a big white house by the sea. Sleeping Beauty grew up in the big white house. She read her books, and played with her sister, and went to school. Sleeping Beauty didn't like school very much, but then as she got older, she discovered that she enjoyed some of the subjects, and really liked studying History and languages. Everyday was like being nested in a big duvet, and Sleeping Beauty was asleep even when she was awake. She enjoyed being in a safe home, and even if she was asleep, it was comforting, and everyday she felt cherished. Sleeping Beauty didn't want to leave the big white house by the sea, but her Mummy told her she had to go out and see the world, because she would rot if she stayed asleep in the idyllic place by the sea. Sleeping Beauty cried at the thought of leaving, and felt scared by the thought of big cities, and unknown places. But her Mummy told her she would be ok, she had to awake from the dream one day, so she left.
Sleeping Beauty blossomed away from the big white house. She studied hard, and went to parties, and met princes. Many princes tried to kiss her, and she let some of them. Sleeping Beauty didn't need a prince to wake her up though; she travelled afar, and lived in exciting new places, and discovered that cities weren't scary, but were full of life, and culture. She felt wide wide awake, aroused from the pleasant slumbers of her childhood. Life seemed sparkling and vibrant, and Sleeping Beauty enjoyed seeing new places, kissing new princes, and meeting wonderful new friends, who were all wide awake too.
Now, Sleeping Beauty doesn't know what to do. Sometimes, she thinks that carrying on being wide awake is the best thing. It's so much fun, and there is so much still to discover. But it's tiring, and sometimes her eyes are sore, and her head aches. All around her, her other friends are gently beginning to snore, and sometimes she even goes and helps them pick an extra silken pillow, or celebrates while they wrap themselves in a golden blanket. Friends ask her which bed she thinks is most comfortable, and sometimes her friends pick what seems to Sleeping Beauty a bed of nails, but Sleeping Beauty understands it is still a bed, and sometimes you just feel the desperate need to lie down.
Sleeping Beauty wants so much to stay awake, so she won't miss a thing. But she is worried about who will keep her company when all her friends are asleep? So far, only unsatisfactory beds have been offered to her. But, alone, awake, staring at the small dark hours where sleep just won't come, Sleeping Beauty allows herself to fantasise about feather beds, and goose down pillows, and sleeping in a big white house by the sea...