One day, a great ship sailed near the island. Prospero and Ariel used their magic to create a tempest: a thunderstorm with huge waves, high winds and lightning. The ship caught fire. The passengers-the King of Naples, his son Prince Ferdinand and others-all jumped overboard and swam to shore.

On the island, Prince Ferdinand met Miranda. It was love at first sight, but Prospero wanted them to get to know each other before he would let them get engaged. He gave Ferdinand hard work to do, and pretended to be mad at them for liking each other.

Meanwhile, on another part of the island, the King was in danger. His own brother, Sebastian, wanted to get rid of him so that he could be the ruler of Naples. Sebastian’s henchman was Antonio, Prospero’s brother, who had done the same thing to Prospero twelve years ago, when Prospero was Duke of Milan.

Antonio had put Prospero and Miranda out to sea in a little boat. He had done this so that he could steal Prospero’s power and become Duke of Milan in his place. He hadn’t expected them to survive.

Ariel saved the king from Sebastian and Antonio just in time; then she reported back to Prospero. Prospero needed her help to stop another evil plot: the monster Caliban had convinced Stephano and Trinculo, two foolish servants from the ship, that Stephano could be king of the island-if they could only steal Prospero’s magic book.

Prospero and Ariel finally brought together all the islanders and ship’s passengers. Prospero was glad to see his old friends from Milan and Naples. He forgave his brother, Antonio, and the others. The King restored Prospero’s former title of Duke of Milan, and they all got back on the ship-which, magically, was still as good as new.