In a kingdom filled with sunshine and giggling squirrels, lived a young Prince. This Prince heard tales of a Princess so beautiful, flowers would turn to look at her. But this Princess had a tricky rule: anyone who wanted to marry her had to complete three super-duper hard tasks. If they failed, well, let's just say they wouldn't be getting any wedding cake.

The Prince, being brave (and maybe a tiny bit headstrong), decided he was up for the challenge. On his journey to the Princess's castle, he met a man with a belly so big, it looked like he’d swallowed a hot air balloon! "I'm so thirsty," said the man, "I could drink all the rivers dry!" The Prince thought, "Hmm, useful!" and asked him to join.

Next, he found a man lying with his ear to the ground. "What are you doing?" asked the Prince. "Shhh! I'm listening to the ants whisper their secrets!" said the man. "Wow, super hearing!" thought the Prince. "Come with me!"

Then they met someone so tall, his head was in the clouds! "I can see the Princess’s castle from here, and even what she’s having for breakfast!" he boomed. "Amazing eyesight and stretchy legs!" The Prince grinned. "You're in!"

Soon, they saw a man shivering and shaking, even though the sun was shining brightly. "Brrr! I'm so cold, I make ice cubes just by breathing!" he chattered. "Perfect for a hot day... or a tricky task!" said the Prince. "Join us!"

Further on, a man was aiming a tiny bow and arrow. "What are you aiming at?" asked the Prince. "That tiny fly on that faraway tree, a hundred miles away!" he replied. "Incredible aim!" The Prince was thrilled. "You're hired!"

Last, they met a fellow hopping on one leg, with the other tied up. But even so, he was faster than a cheetah! "Why is your leg tied?" "Oh, if I untie it, I run so fast I might overshoot the world!" he explained. "You're the fastest thing I've ever seen!" said the Prince. "Welcome to the team!"

They arrived at the Princess’s grand castle. The Princess, looking rather pleased with herself, said, "My first task: I dropped my favorite ring into the deep, wide ocean. Bring it to me by sunset!"
Long Legs stretched up high. "I can see it sparkling way down there!"
Big Belly waddled to the shore. "Leave this to me!" He took a giant GULP, and then another, and another, until a large part of the ocean was in his tummy! The seabed was bare.
Sharp Eyes squinted. "There it is, on that pointy rock!"
Speedy Legs untied his other leg for a second, zoomed down, grabbed the ring, and was back before anyone could blink. The Princess was very surprised.

"Hmmph," said the Princess. "Second task: My royal chefs have cooked enough food to feed an army for a month, and there are barrels and barrels of juice. You and your friends must eat and drink every last crumb and drop by morning."
The Prince smiled at Big Belly. Big Belly rubbed his enormous tummy. "My favorite kind of task!" He sat down and slurped, munched, crunched, and gulped. By sunrise, every plate was clean and every barrel was empty. Big Belly even asked for a toothpick. The Princess’s jaw dropped.

The Princess was not happy. "For the final task," she announced, her voice a little shaky, "you must sit with me in a room with a roaring fire for three days and three nights. If you can stand the heat, I’ll marry you."
The Prince looked a bit worried, but Shivery stepped forward. "Don’t worry, Prince. I’ll come too."
They went into the room, and the fire was indeed HUGE and HOT! But Shivery sat beside the Prince and shivered so much that the room became pleasantly cool, like a spring morning. The Princess, who didn’t have a Shivery friend, was fanning herself and looking quite uncomfortable. After three days, the Prince stepped out, not even a tiny bit sweaty. Shivery was still making little frost patterns on the windows.

The Princess couldn't believe it! All her impossible tasks were completed. She looked at the kind Prince and his amazing friends. Maybe, just maybe, being clever and kind was better than being tricky.
"You have won," she said, with a small smile.
So, the Prince married the Princess. And with the help of his six wonderful, wacky, and loyal friends, they all lived happily, and the Princess learned that making friends was much more fun than making impossible tasks.

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