I am a princess by Diane

I am a princess by Diane - April 2014 Scholarship Essay

Recently, I found my love for reading again and I scoured for books; I read anything and everything that I could get my hands on. I read several mysteries, one conspiracy theory, and a book that involves a majestic lion. I loved all of these books but the day I found a very old, and much loved copy of "The little Princess" I was intrigued. As soon as I started reading, I could not get enough of this book. I carried it with me all day during school and even read it while I was walking down the halls of my High School in between classes.

I am not quite sure why this book inspired me to do something so unacceptable as to walk down the halls with my nose in its yellowing pages- in front of my peers no less- but I assume it was my fascination with the character Sara Crew. She is such an admirable protagonist that even I could not help but fall in love with her strange antics.

Sara comes from a very privileged home when she arrives at Miss Minchin's Seminary for Girls at seven years old. She is treated like a princess because of her great wealth and unrestrained kindness. One day she "supposes" that maybe she is a princess. Her privileges are soon cruelly stripped from her on her eleventh birthday, however. Tragically, her beloved father dies along with his wealth and the headmistress, in a jealous rage, strips every luxury Sara has and sends her up to the attic as a servant for three years. During this period of the book, you walk with Sara as she starves, slaves away in the bitter cold, gets her ears boxed, and grieves her father's death.

Everything works out in the end and Sara and her friend Becky live happily ever after with Sara's fathers best friend. I am pleased that Sara’s tale results in her being safe, comfortable, and taken care of, but there was one thing that I could absolutely not get out of my mind.

"I am a princess." This was a line that I read over and over again through the course of the book. Sara tells herself this even on her lowest days; even when she is cold, hungry, dirty and sick of being laughed to scorn for her clothing and circumstances. My favorite part in story is when Sara is starving and she finds herself blessed to discover a four piece coin in the snow. Instead of eating the rolls herself, she buys six rolls and shares five rolls with another girl who she knows is even hungrier than her- leaving only one roll for herself.

"I am a princess." is what she tells herself. She has charity even in her most pained moments. I cannot put into words how admirable and how beautiful I believe that to be. I was inspired. I was inspired by Sara Crew and her adamant belief that she was going be a princess in all conditions. After I set down the book, I looked in the mirror and I told myself that I was a princess; someone kind, charitable, patient, humble and beautiful inside and out. I am a princess.

I now remind myself that I am a princess because a princess is pure and virtuous; a princess looks for the good in others and is kind even in the most desperate of circumstances. I am a princess. I believe that literature is powerful. It has the power to change the world and influence people and Little Sara Crew, has influenced me to change forever.