October 14, 2026#955archive

NYT Strands — October 14, 2026

Hints — one at a time

Hint 1 of 5

Today's grid is full of characters that come in classic storybook pairs.

Hint 2 of 5

Every non-spangram word is one half of a famous duo from a folk tale or fairy tale.

Hint 3 of 5

One entry races a slow-moving competitor; another transforms with a kiss from royalty.

Hint 4 of 5

The spangram is the classic opening phrase that begins so many of these stories.

Hint 5 of 5

Look for BEAST, BEAUTY, FROG, HARE, PRINCESS and TORTOISE, all spanned by ONCEUPONATIME.

Reveal the full answer

Theme

Folk & fairy tale twosomes

Spangram

ONCEUPONATIME

Theme words

BEAST · BEAUTY · FROG · HARE · PRINCESS · TORTOISE

Counted from our own archive of NYT Strands answers — not published anywhere else.