Brief Summary
This animated story revolves around Grace, a young girl in an African village, who faces hardship after her father's death. Her stepmother, driven by jealousy, scars her face and forces her to wear a mask, leading to isolation and rumors. Despite this, Grace's kindness shines through when she helps a wounded man, who turns out to be a prince in disguise. The prince chooses Grace as his bride, recognizing her inner beauty, and exposes her stepmother's cruelty. Eventually, Grace's scars are healed, and she becomes a beloved queen, promoting kindness and justice throughout the kingdom.
- Grace's kindness is tested when she helps a wounded man, unaware he is a prince in disguise.
- Prince Ema chooses Grace as his bride, valuing her inner beauty over her scarred appearance.
- Douglas's cruelty is exposed, leading to justice and Grace's transformation into a compassionate queen.
Grace's Early Life and Hardships
In a quiet African village, Grace was known for her beauty, kind heart, and hardworking nature. Her mother died shortly after her birth, leaving her father to raise her with love. Years later, her father remarried a widow named Douglas, who had a daughter named Rita. Initially, Douglas treated Grace kindly, but after Grace's father died, Douglas turned cruel, treating Grace as a servant while favoring her own daughter.
The Accident and the Mask
One night, Grace slipped and fell, severely scarring her face. Douglas, under the guise of care, applied a dark ointment that worsened the scars and then forced Grace to wear a wooden mask to hide her "hideous" face from the village. Ashamed and isolated, Grace complied, eventually forgetting what her face looked like before the accident. The villagers pitied her misfortune, but rumors spread, and no one considered her as a potential bride.
The Royal Banquet Announcement
The royal messenger announced that the crown prince would choose his bride at a grand banquet. Excitement filled the village as families prepared their daughters. Douglas focused on ensuring Rita would catch the prince's eye, while Grace, knowing she wouldn't be allowed to attend, quietly helped with the preparations.
The Day of the Banquet and the Stream
On the day of the banquet, Douglas burdened Grace with chores, preventing her from preparing for the event. Meanwhile, the village maidens, including Rita, went to fetch water from the stream. They encountered a poor, wounded man begging for water, but they scorned him, too focused on their dreams of becoming queen.
Grace's Kindness and the Mask's Fall
Douglas forced Grace to fetch water, tearing the dress she had made for the banquet. On her way to the stream, Grace encountered the same wounded man the other maidens had ignored. She helped him, cleaning his wounds and giving him water. As she did so, her mask fell off, briefly revealing her scarred face. The man, grateful for her kindness, was gentle and appreciative.
The Prince's Identity Revealed
Grace brought the wounded man to her home, gave him food, and learned that he was aware of the banquet. She expressed her belief that she was not a suitable candidate due to her appearance. The man praised her beauty and kindness, but Grace remained unconvinced. As he left, he promised to never forget her compassion.
The Prince Chooses His Bride
The town crier announced that the prince had chosen his bride and would visit her home that night. Many assumed it was Rita, and Douglas received gifts in anticipation. However, the prince arrived and revealed he was not the man who danced with the maidens at the banquet. He sought the masked maiden, leading to Grace being brought forward.
Grace is Chosen
The prince revealed himself as Prince Ema, who had disguised himself to test the maidens' hearts. He explained that he had sent his guard to the banquet in his place. He chose Grace as his bride, valuing her kindness and compassion. Grace hesitated, citing her "hideous" face, but the prince insisted he saw her heart and declared her the chosen one.
Douglas's Cruelty Exposed
As Grace prepared to remove her mask, Douglas panicked and revealed her years of cruelty and manipulation. Rita confessed that Douglas had intentionally caused Grace's accident and used a special medicine to worsen the scars. The crowd was shocked, and the prince ordered Douglas to be taken away for justice.
Justice and Forgiveness
Grace, overwhelmed by the revelations, removed her mask. The prince reassured her, stating that her true beauty was in her heart. Douglas and Rita were sentenced to ten years of public service in the village. Grace felt sadness for the stolen years but relief that it was over.
Grace's Request and Healing
The prince offered to marry Grace immediately, but she requested to wait until her true face returned, needing to see herself as whole before becoming his wife. The prince agreed, and he summoned the greatest healers in the land to help her. After weeks of treatments, Grace's scars disappeared, and her true beauty was restored.
The Wedding and Grace's Reign
Grace and Prince Ema had a grand wedding. Grace ruled with wisdom and compassion, ensuring no child would suffer as she had. She shared her story to remind everyone that true worth lies in the heart, not in appearance. Grace lived a long and joyful life, leaving a legacy of kindness and justice.
