How To Break A Curse

By Laura Schiller

Based on: The Swan Princess (1994 movie)

Copyright: DreamWorks

There is more than one way to break a Shape-Changing Curse.

Jean-Bob is cowardly. Puffin and Speed had to physically drag him into the castle in their search for a map. And yet he swam past hungry alligators to save Princess Odette.

Jean-Bob is selfish. He's been pestering her for a kiss as long as they've known each other, even though he knows it annoys her. And yet, he risked life and limb to break her out of the dungeon, just so she could fly to another man … and he sent her off with a cheer.

If he is honest, he knows he'll never be a human prince. The fantasy of it – standing eye to eye with Odette, walking into a ballroom with her on his arm, having her look at him the way she looks at that foolish boy – is simply too good to pass up.

There's only one thing he wants more than to be human for Odette.

That one thing is for her to be happy.

"He must make a vow of everlasting love … "

A vow does not need to be spoken.

Puffin was hatched near an army base. All his life, he's been fascinated by human soldiers, by the endless effort they put into becoming strong and working together. He knows that soldiers promise to protect and serve their monarch.

The day he woke up to the Princess bandaging his wing, so kind and capable, and yet helpless against the sorcery that bound her, he promised to protect and serve her.

" … and prove it to the world."

Queen Uberta's ball was certainly crowded enough that night to represent the world, but it wasn't the only place.

Speed has always been a humble sort of creature. He knows his nickname is ironic. He knows his weaknesses. But he has faith in his creator; faith that everything happens for a reason, and that someone is watching over him.

When he put his front legs together and prayed while in free fall, Odette saved him. Now it's his turn to save her.

He knows his weaknesses, but he also knows his strengths. Puffin, Jean-Bob, Bromley, the alligators, Odette herself, and every star in the night sky are witnesses to just how fast a turtle can swim.

There is more than one kind of love.

When Odette opens her eyes that night to smile up at her lover's face, she owes her life to all of them.