"The Twelve Dancing Princesses" is a fairy tale about a king who discovers that his twelve daughters mysteriously wear out their shoes every night. Despite being locked in their room, the princesses manage to escape and dance until dawn, leaving their shoes tattered and worn. To uncover the secret, the king offers a reward to anyone who can solve the mystery. A clever soldier learns that the princesses travel to an enchanted underground realm, where they dance with magical princes. Ultimately, he reveals their secret, breaking the spell and allowing the princesses to return home.