In this short scene, Rose and the prince are introduced to each other. Rose tells the prince that she has been remiss in her duties at the laundry, and apologizes profusely. She tells him that the laundry smells like "the trees" and that she would like to know how to write a haiku. The prince asks her to continue the story, and she says that she is sorry that her reading is so bad. She says that the memory of the bug reminds her of someone dear and forgives her for the tears she has shed. She asks the prince to continue, and he says that he does get sad when he thinks about the bug, but that he is also happy and fun. He tells her that the bug showed him how to explore, and that he could make anything into a but he was also happy. He asks her if she remembers the person whom she had lost. She replies that she does remember that person, and the memory brings her some comfort. She thanks the prince for reminding her of the small things in life, and asks him to make pancakes. He says that would never be a new recipe if everything were forever. They fold laundry, write poetry, read stories, and make a return to gloom--mood thank you, rose