Throughout time, fairy tales have often glorified the enchantment of sleep and the mysteries of dreams. Whether it be Sleeping Beauty or Snow White, the concept of a “Sleeping Beauty” has been a staple in storytelling for centuries.

The tale of Sleeping Beauty first emerged in 1632 within Giambattista Basile’s literary fairy tale, "Sun, Moon, and Talia,” and details the story of a young woman named Talia, who falls into an eternal sleep. Unlike the popular, revised version of this story, it is not “true love’s kiss” that awakens Talia, but a violation at the hands of a man Talia never knew. The story ends with a poignant proverb:

"Those whom fortune favors find good luck even in their sleep."

In a modern setting, Basile’s story would likely be recognized as a nightmare rather than a sweet waking dream, and I cannot imagine a person today who’d consider it “good luck” to become a “Sleeping Beauty.”

My retelling of Sleeping Beauty envisions this age old classic how I see it, and it explores themes of vulnerability, betrayal, and strength awakened. Sleep is the most vulnerable part of our day, it is a time for our bodies to rest, find peace, and regenerate for the day to come. We all deserve to have that peace respected. I hope you'll join me this spring in rewriting our own narratives and taking back what it means to be a "Sleeping Beauty."