Not so long ago, when the earth was still fresh and unpolluted there was a large lake where the swans used to play for the summer. This was the birthplace of their young and where they grew up and became the magnificent animals that they are. Each year there would be one swan that was crowned to be the most beautiful. For several years now, it was no contest. Celeste was by far the most beautiful swan. In fact most said that she was the most beautiful ever. So each year the swans would line the banks of the lake, the geese would make a double line to mark her path and the eagles and hawks would fly overhead spelling out her name.

Celeste would graciously swim to the center of the lake with her head bowed for all to see and admire her beauty. They would say Oh how humble, she even bows her head. Actually Celeste was having a grand time looking at herself in the lake. When it was time to head south for the winter, Celeste made an announcement.

I'm not going south this year. My feathers are much too beautiful to be ruffled by the winds. The blue jays assured me that there is plenty to eat here during the winter and my feathers will become even more beautiful with the winter cold.

So they all left and Celeste was all alone. She was so busy looking at herself she didn't even notice that they were gone, she would spend hour after hour admiring herself. Winter was fast approaching, but to Celeste she was in heaven. Life was perfect and she was its queen.

One day as she hummed to herself, When You Wish Upon A Star, her delicate nose picked up the scent of man. In those days man and animals were friends so she was not scared. She swam over to the edge to see what had occurred.

There at the edge lay a man in a funny position, with a rock for a pillow. No, that's not a pillow but when the man fell from his horse he must have hit his head on this rock. Nearby was his horse with a broken leg. From the looks of things this man was important, he was dressed so nice.

A blue jay flew by and said, Celeste you must help the prince. Protect him while I fly and get some help. What do you mean?, said Celeste. Don't you know who I am. I am the Queen around here and I give the orders.

Don't be such a goose, said the blue jay. He's the prince for God's sake. Help him! But I don't know what to do, said Celeste, All I have even done is look beautiful and besides I'm afraid and Queens are not supposed to be afraid. Everyone is afraid silly. said the blue jay. The only difference is that Kings and Queens learn not to show it. Be a good girl and keep him warm until I return. OK? OK.

Yes, I will keep him warm said Celeste, more to herself than anyone else. Whatever it takes I will do it. For once I will do something for someone else. So she spread her wings to cover the prince.

My goodness, he's so big that my wings do not cover him and it is getting cold. What do I do? I know, I'll cover him with straw and fill in the holes with feathers. So off she went and came back with straw and went to work.

Where will I get feathers at this time? Oh, I know I will simply use my old ones. I'm about to lose them anyway, I'll just hurry nature along and pluck them out. Soon the prince was nice and warm in his new blanket of straw and feathers.

As she admired her work, Celeste decided to get a drink of water while she waited for the kings men to come and rescue the prince. What a horrible sight greeted her in the reflection, instead of a beautiful swan there was a plucked goose looking back at her. She was doomed. I must hide, she thought, no one can see me like this.

When the kings men came, they found the prince safe and warm. They asked who did this? The blue jay said, why Celeste of course. May I see her? said the prince. I want to thank her for her kindness. Oh you mustn't, said the blue jay. No one is allowed to see her, Don't be silly, said the prince. And off he went looking for her.

He found her hiding in the bushes. As he approached, she said. Stop. come no further, I am so ugly no one can see me. Please stop. But I want to thank you, said the prince. What you did for me was wonderful. Yes it was wonderful, she said. And look what I got in return, Oh how horrible.

Look, said the prince. I have a wonderful wizard living in the castle that can help you, Here let me take you to the castle and he can make things all better. Celeste agreed and off they went to the castle.

Upon arrival the wizard looked and looked but could not find a solution.

In desperation he told the prince, There is nothing we can do, only nature in time will take care of her missing feathers. But so that she can feel better, I have made a cloak of feathers for her to wear until nature does its thing. That's the best I can do.

Celeste wore her cloak and swam in the garden of the castle all alone, crying and bemoaning her fate. Surrounded by all that beauty, but it didn't matter she felt ugly and therefore she only saw ugliness. One day the prince came to visit her.

You look sad my prince. What is wrong? she asked. I am to be married tomorrow, said the prince. On the kings orders. I do not know what to do, I don't want to get married. All the girls I have met just aren't it for me. If I could only find someone like you I know then I will be happy.

With that the prince bent down and kissed the swan on the beak. Instantly the swan was transformed into a beautiful princess wearing a feather cloak. I knew it, said the prince. Somehow I knew you were the one for me and I was right. I'm so happy, will you marry me.

With tears in her eyes she said Yes, I would love to marry you. And they were. Everyone came. The swans lined the road to the castle with a magnificent display of feathers. The geese ad pigeons decorated the castle, The Eagles and the hawks flew in the skies. It was wonderful.

In celebration of this wonderful story the king ordered special chocolates made with the emblem of a swan swimming on the lake decorating the piece. These were passed out at the wedding with instructions. If you really believe and trust in God, your fondest wish will be granted.