1
Theodore was a kind king. He loved the people of his kingdom very much, however above all others, there was one who won his heart, his baby daughter Tenara.
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2 / 3
Tenara was his only child, and worth more to him than his entire kingdom. Every night, after the sun hid behind the grassy hills, Theodore would pick up his daughter, gently rock her, and sing to her a special song.
My child, you are mine, and I give you my name.
I will always love you more than words can explain.
No matter where you go or who you say you are,
Your home is in my heart, and I won’t be very far.
* * *
4/5
Princess Tenara grew into a young girl. She had many friends who would often come over to play with her at the castle after school.
But every night after her friends left, Theodore would come into her room to tuck her in and sing to her the special song.
My child, you are mine, and I give you my name.
I will always love you more than words can explain.
No matter where you go or who you say you are,
Your home is in my heart, and I won’t be very far.
* * *
6 /7
One day after school Tenara came to her father with tears in her eyes.
“Kids are making fun of me, saying I am a baby because you still sing to me. Could you stop?”
The king was sad but honored her wishes.
* * *
8/9
Princess Tenara became young woman.
Now all she wanted was to marry a prince. She spent most of her days making herself look more beautiful, which required servants, new dresses, perfume, and more servants to serve the servants. The king provided everything she needed, but she never seemed happy.
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10/11
One day, as Tenara walked through a forest, she heard beautiful singing.
It took her to deep into the forest to a place that her father told her to never go. At the end, was a strange cottage covered in vines.
* * *
12/13
As she approached, a man answered the door. He was a handsome prince from an enemy kingdom at war with Kind Theodore. When he saw Tenara, he fell in love.
“Were you the one singing the beautiful song?” she asked the handsome prince
“Yes, and I knew the first woman that heard my song and came to my door I would ask to marry me, would you marry me?”
She was so happy, she said yes and they rode to his kingdom.
* * *
14/15
As Prince Hectors soon to be wife, Tenara she was given everything she wanted, but she wasn’t happy. She thought Hector would be a good husband, but he was often mean to her and wouldn’t let her leave the castle. She remembered back to when she was young and the song her father sang to her and longed to hear it again.
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16/17
Theodore heard about the upcoming marriage to his enemy. He knew if he was found entering her new kingdom he would be taken prisoner, but his love for his daughter outweighed his fear.
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18/19
He rode as fast as he could into the enemy’s kingdom, climbed to the highest hill, and sang the special song. The morning wind carried his song to Tenaras ear as she slept.
My child, you are mine, and give you my name.
I will always love you more than words can explain.
No matter where you go or who you say you are,
Your home is in my heart, and I won’t be very far.
* * *
20/21
The day before the wedding, Tenara told Hector that she made a mistake and she wanted to go back home. Hector became angry and told his men to take Tenara to the forest and throw her down a well.
Tenara was trapped, but as Hector’s men left, a group of men sent by King Theodore rushed to Tenara’s aid. They freed her from the well and took her back to her father’s castle.
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22/23
When Hector heard about what happened, he wanted Tenara back. He took many men with him to battle against King Theodore, but many men stood guard at the Theodore’s castle to defend Tenara. Theodore responded boldly, “My daughter has decided to come home. You will not have her unless you come through me first.”
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24/25
King Hector’s army attacked King Theodore’s army.
Protected inside the castle, Princess Tenara sat curled up in a ball, crying. The battle lasted a long time, but King Theodore won.
With one final statement Theodore told Hector to leave and never return.
* * *
26/27
After the battle, King Theodore went to his daughter. In tears, she crawled onto her father’s lap. Before she could say anything, her daddy nudged his head close to hers and sang to her the special song.
My child, you are mine, and give you my name.
I will always love you more than words can explain.
No matter where you go or who you say you are,
Your home is in my heart, and I won’t be very far.
* * *
28/29
Tenara met a man that fought to defend her named Joshua. He was kind, brave, and a good man. They would often go on walks through the forest, where they laughed and sang together. Over the years she came to know and love him, and he loved her. Tenara and Joshua got married and started a family.
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30/31
Many years later, Tenara received word that her father was getting old and about to pass away. Tenara and Joshua brought their kids to Theodore’s castle as quick as they could. With tears their eyes, Tenara and her family walked over to her father’s bed.
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32
Theodore and Tenara held hands, He kissed each one of his grandchildren, and sang to them the special song. Then Tenara kissed her father’s forehead and sang the special song back to him.
My father, you are mine, and I cherish your name.
I will always love you more than words can explain
No matter where you go or who you say you are
Your home is in our heart, and we won’t be very far.
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