It is the christening of the newborn princess, Aurora, and the six good fairies and many other guests have been invited. Upon her the invited fairies bestow magical gifts, blessing her with virtue, and flower children present small rose trees. All of a sudden, the palace grows dark and the evil fairy, Carabosse, arrives with thunder and lightning. Catalabutte, the King's secretary, is shocked to realize she has been forgotten. In revenge for being left off the invitation list, Carabosse casts a curse over Princess Aurora, declaring that the Princess will prick her finger on a spindle and die on her sixteenth birthday. While all are terrified, the Lilac Fairy promises the King and Queen that she will protect Princess Aurora. Indeed, Princess Aurora grows under the protection of the good fairies. Meanwhile, Carabosse continues watching her, waiting for the day when the curse will become a reality.