第15章

Thenextdayrock-splitterstayedathome，andhefaredjustasfir-twisterhaddone，beingveryill-treatedbythedwarfbecausehewasnotwillingtogivehimanymeat。Whentheotherscamehomeintheevening，fir-twistersawclearlywhathehadsuffered，butbothkeptsilence，andthought，Hansalsomusttastesomeofthatsoup。

Hans，whohadtostayathomethenextday，didhisworkinthekitchenasithadtobedone，andashewasstandingskimmingthepan，thedwarfcameandwithoutmoreadodemandedapieceofmeat。ThenHansthought，heisapoorwretch，Iwillgivehimsomeofmyshare，thattheothersmaynotrunshort，andhandedhimabit。Whenthedwarfhaddevouredit，heagainaskedforsomemeat，andgood-naturedHansgaveittohim，andtoldhimitwasahandsomepiece，andthathewastobecontentwithit。Butthedwarfbeggedagainforthethirdtime。Youareshameless，saidHans，andgavehimnone。Thenthemaliciousdwarfwantedtospringonhimandtreathimashehadtreatedfir-twisterandrock-splitter，buthehadchosenthewrongman。Hans，withoutexertinghimselfmuch，gavehimacoupleofblowswhichmadehimjumpdownthecastlesteps。Hanswasabouttorunafterhim，butfellrightover，flatonhisface。Whenheroseupagain，thedwarfhadgotthestartofhim。Hanshurriedafterhimasfarastheforest，andsawhimslipintoaholeintherock。Hansnowwenthome，buthehadmarkedthespot。Whenthetwootherscameback，theyweresurprisedthatHanswassowell。Hetoldthemwhathadhappened，andthentheynolongerconcealedhowithadfaredwiththem。Hanslaughedandsaid，itservedyouquiteright。Whywereyousomeanwithyourmeat。Itisadisgracethatyouwhoaresobigshouldhaveletyourselvesbebeatenbythedwarf。Thereupontheytookabasketandarope，andallthreewenttotheholeintherockintowhichthedwarfhadslipped，andletHansandhisclubdowninthebasket。WhenHanshadreachedthebottom，hefoundadoor，andwhenheopeneditamaidenwassittingtherewhowaslovelyasanypicture，nay，sobeautifulthatnowordscanexpressit，andbyhersidesatthedwarfandgrinnedatHanslikeasea-cat。She，however，wasboundwithchains，andlookedsomournfullyathimthatHansfeltgreatpityforher，andthoughttohimself，youmustdeliverheroutofthepowerofthewickeddwarf，andgavehimsuchablowwithhisclubthathefelldowndead。Immediatelythechainsfellfromthemaiden，andHanswasenrapturedwithherbeauty。Shetoldhimshewasaking\'sdaughterwhomasavagecounthadstolenawayfromherhome，andimprisonedthereamongtherocks，becauseshewouldhavenothingtosaytohim。Thecount，however，hadsetthedwarfasawatchman，andhehadmadehersuffermiseryandvexationenough。AndnowHansplacedthemaideninthebasketandhadherdrawnup。Thebasketcamedownagain，butHansdidnottrusthistwocompanions，andthought，theyhavealreadyshownthemselvestobefalse，andtoldmenothingaboutthedwarf。Whoknowswhatdesigntheymayhaveagainstme。Soheputhisclubinthebasket，anditwasluckyhedid，forwhenthebasketwashalf-wayup，theyletitfallagain，andifHanshadreallybeensittinginithewouldhavebeenkilled。Butnowhedidnotknowhowhewastoworkhiswayoutofthedepths，andwhenheturneditoverandoverinhismindhefoundnocounsel。Itisindeedsad，saidhetohimself，thatIhavetowasteawaydownhere，andashewasthuswalkingbackwardsandforwards，heoncemorecametothelittlechamberwherethemaidenhadbeensitting，andsawthatthedwarfhadaringonhisfingerwhichshoneandsparkled。Thenhedrewitoffandputiton，andwhenheturneditroundonhisfinger，hesuddenlyheardsomethingrustleoverhishead。Helookedupandsawspiritsoftheairhoveringabove，whotoldhimhewastheirmaster，andaskedwhathisdesiremightbe。Hanswasatfirststruckdumb，butafterwardshesaidthattheyweretocarryhimupagain。Theyobeyedinstantly，anditwasjustasifhehadflownuphimself。

Butwhenhehadarrivedthere，hefoundnooneinsight。

Fir-twisterandrock-splitterhadhurriedaway，andhadtakenthebeautifulmaidenwiththem。

ButHansturnedthering，andthespiritsoftheaircameandtoldhimthatthetwowereonthesea。Hansranandranwithoutstopping，untilhecametothesea-shore，andtherefar，faroutonthewater，heperceivedalittleboatinwhichhisfaithlesscomradesweresitting，andinfierceangerheleapt，withoutthinkingwhathewasdoing，clubinhandintothewater，andbegantoswim，buttheclub，whichweighedahundredweight，draggedhimdeepdownuntilhewasallbutdrowned。Thenintheverynickoftimeheturnedhisring，andimmediatelythespiritsoftheaircameandborehimasswiftaslightningintotheboat。Heswunghisclubandgavehiswickedcomradestherewardtheymeritedandthrewthemintothewater，andthenhesailedwiththebeautifulmaiden，whohadbeeninthegreatestalarm，andwhomhedeliveredforthesecondtime，hometoherfatherandmother，andmarriedher，andallrejoicedexceedingly。

Apoorwood-cutterlivedwithhiswifeandthreedaughtersinalittlehutontheedgeofalonelyforest。Onemorningashewasabouttogotohiswork，hesaidtohiswife，letoureldestdaughterbringmemydinnerintotheforest，orIshallnevergetmyworkdone，andinorderthatshemaynotmissherway，headded，Iwilltakeabagofmilletwithmeandstrewtheseedsonthepath。When，therefore，thesunwasjustabovethecentreoftheforest，thegirlsetoutonherwaywithabowlofsoup，butthefield-sparrows，andwood-sparrows，larksandfinches，blackbirdsandsiskinshadpickedupthemilletlongbefore，andthegirlcouldnotfindthetrack。

Trustingtochance，shewentonandon，untilthesunsankandnightbegantofall。Thetreesrustledinthedarkness，theowlshooted，andshebegantobeafraid。Theninthedistancesheperceivedalightwhichglimmeredbetweenthetrees。Thereoughttobesomepeoplelivingthere，whocantakemeinforthenight，thoughtshe，andwentuptothelight。Itwasnotlongbeforeshecametoahousethewindowsofwhichwerealllightedup。Sheknocked，andaroughvoicefrominsidecried，comein。Thegirlsteppedintothedarkentrance，andknockedatthedooroftheroom。Justcomein，criedthevoice，andwhensheopenedthedoor，anoldgray-hairedmanwassittingatthetable，supportinghisfacewithbothhands，andhiswhitebeardfelldownoverthetablealmostasfarastheground。Bythestovelaythreeanimals，ahen，acock，andabrindledcow。Thegirltoldherstorytotheoldman，andbeggedforshelterforthenight。Themansaid，myprettyhen，myprettycock，myprettybrindledcow，whatareyousayingnow。

Duks，answeredtheanimals，andthatmusthavemeant，wearewilling，fortheoldmansaid，hereyoushallhaveshelterandfood，gotothefire，andcookusoursupper。Thegirlfoundinthekitchenabundanceofeverything，andcookedagoodsupper，buthadnothoughtoftheanimals。Shecarriedthefullbowltothetable，seatedherselfbythegray-hairedman，ateandsatisfiedherhunger。Whenshehadhadenough，shesaid，butnowIamtired，whereisthereabedinwhichIcanliedown，andsleep。Theanimalsreplied，thouhasteatenwithhim，thouhastdrunkwithhim，thouhasthadnothoughtforus，sofindoutforthyselfwherethoucanstpassthenight。

Thensaidtheoldman，justgoupstairs，andyouwillfindaroomwithtwobeds，shakethemup，andputwhitelinenonthem，andthenI，too，willcomeandliedowntosleep。Thegirlwentup，andwhenshehadshakenthebedsandputcleansheetson，shelaydowninoneofthemwithoutwaitinganylongerfortheoldman。Aftersometimethegray-hairedmancame，heldhiscandleoverthegirlandshookhishead。Whenhesawthatshehadfallenintoasoundsleep，heopenedatrap-door，andletherdownintothecellar。

Lateatnight，thewood-cuttercamehome，andreproachedhiswifeforleavinghimtohungerallday。Itisnotmyfault，shereplied，thegirlwentoutwithyourdinner，andmusthavelostherself，butsurelyshewillcomebackto-morrow。Thewood-cutter，however，arosebeforedawntogointotheforest，andrequestedthattheseconddaughtershouldtakehimhisdinnerthatday。Iwilltakeabagwithlentils，saidhe，theseedsarelargerthanmillet，thegirlwillseethembetter，andcan\'tloseherway。Atdinner-time，therefore，thegirltookoutthefood，butthelentilshaddisappeared。Thebirdsoftheforesthadpickedthemupastheyhaddonethedaybefore，andhadleftnone。Thegirlwanderedaboutintheforestuntilnight，andthenshetooreachedthehouseoftheoldman，wastoldtogoin，andbeggedforfoodandabed。Themanwiththewhitebeardagainaskedtheanimals，myprettyhen，myprettycock，myprettybrindledcow，whatareyousayingnow。

Theanimalsagainreplied\'duks，andeverythinghappenedjustasithadhappenedthedaybefore。Thegirlcookedagoodmeal，ateanddrankwiththeoldman，anddidnotconcernherselfabouttheanimals，andwhensheinquiredaboutherbedtheyanswered，thouhasteatenwithhim，thouhastdrunkwithhim，thouhasthadnothoughtforus，sofindoutforthyselfwherethoucanstpassthenight。

Whenshewasasleeptheoldmancame，lookedather，shookhishead，andletherdownintothecellar。

Onthethirdmorningthewood-cuttersaidtohiswife，sendouryoungestchildoutwithmydinnerto-day，shehasalwaysbeengoodandobedient，andwillstayintherightpath，andnotroveaboutlikehersisters，thewildbumble-bees。Themotherdidnotwanttodoit，andsaid，amItolosemydearestchild，aswell。

Havenofear，hereplied，thegirlwillnotgoastray。Sheistooprudentandsensible。BesidesIwilltakesomepeaswithme，strewthemabout。Theyarestilllargerthanlentils，andwillshowhertheway。Butwhenthegirlwentoutwithherbasketonherarm，thewood-pigeonshadalreadygotallthepeasintheircrops，andshedidnotknowwhichwayshewastoturn。Shewasfullofsorrowandneverceasedtothinkhowhungryherfatherwouldbe，andhowhergoodmotherwouldgrieve，ifshedidnotgohome。Atlengthwhenitgrewdark，shesawthelightandcametothehouseintheforest。Shebeggedquiteprettilytobeallowedtospendthenightthere，andthemanwiththewhitebeardagainaskedhisanimals，myprettyhen，myprettycock，myprettybrindledcow，whatareyousayingnow。

Duks，saidthey。Thenthegirlwenttothestovewheretheanimalswerelying，andpettedthecockandhen，andstrokedtheirsmoothfeatherswithherhand，andcaressedthebrindledcowbetweenherhorns，andwhen，inobediencetotheoldman\'sorders，shehadmadereadysomegoodsoup，andthebowlwasplaceduponthetable，shesaid，amItoeatasmuchasIwant，andthegoodanimalstohavenothing。Outsideisfoodinplenty，Iwilllookafterthemfirst。Soshewentandbroughtsomebarleyandsteweditforthecockandhen，andawholearmfulofsweet-smellinghayforthecow。Ihopeyouwilllikeit，dearanimals，saidshe，andyoushallhavearefreshingdraughtincaseyouarethirsty。Thenshefetchedabucketfulofwater，andthecockandhenjumpedontotheedgeofitanddippedtheirbeaksin，andthenhelduptheirheadsasthebirdsdowhentheydrink，andthebrindledcowalsotookaheartydraught。Whentheanimalswerefed，thegirlseatedherselfatthetablebytheoldman，andatewhathehadleft。Itwasnotlongbeforethecockandthehenbegantothrusttheirheadsbeneaththeirwings，andtheeyesofthecowlikewisebegantoblink。

Thensaidthegirl，oughtwenottogotobed。

Myprettyhen，myprettycock，myprettybrindledcow，whatareyousayingnow。

Theanimalsanswered，duks，thouhasteatenwithus，thouhastdrunkwithus，thouhasthadkindthoughtforallofus，wewishtheegood-night。

Thenthemaidenwentupstairs，shookthefeather-beds，andlaidcleansheetsonthem，andwhenshehaddoneittheoldmancameandlaydowninoneofthebeds，andhiswhitebeardreacheddowntohisfeet。Thegirllaydownontheother，saidherprayers，andfellasleep。

Shesleptquietlytillmidnight，andthentherewassuchanoiseinthehousethatsheawoke。Therewasasoundofcrackingandsplittingineverycorner，andthedoorssprangopen，andbeatagainstthewalls。Thebeamsgroanedasiftheywerebeingtornoutoftheirjoints，itseemedasifthestaircasewerefallingdown，andatlengththerewasacrashasiftheentireroofhadfallenin。When，however，allgrewquietoncemore，andthegirlwasnothurt，shestayedquietlylyingwhereshewas，andfellasleepagain。Butwhenshewokeupinthemorningwiththebrilliancyofthesunshine，whatdidhereyesbehold。Shewaslyinginavasthall，andeverythingaroundhershonewithroyalsplendor。Onthewalls，goldenflowersgrewuponagroundofgreensilk，thebedwasofivory，andthecanopyofredvelvet，andonachaircloseby，wasapairofslippersembroideredwithpearls。Thegirlbelievedthatshewasinadream，butthreerichlycladattendantscamein，andaskedwhatordersshewouldliketogive。Ifyouwillgo，shereplied，Iwillgetupatonceandmakereadysomesoupfortheoldman，andthenI

willfeedtheprettyhen，andtheprettycock，andtheprettybrindledcow。Shethoughttheoldmanwasupalready，andlookedroundathisbed。He，however，wasnotlyinginit，butastranger。

Andwhileshewaslookingathim，andbecomingawarethathewasyoungandhandsome，heawoke，satupinbed，andsaid，Iamaking\'sson，andwasbewitchedbyawickedwitch，andmadetoliveinthisforest，asanoldgray-hairedman。Noonewasallowedtobewithmebutmythreeattendantsintheformofacock，ahen，andabrindledcow。Thespellwasnottobebrokenuntilagirlcametouswhoseheartwassogoodthatsheshowedherselffulloflove，notonlytowardsmankind，buttowardsanimals-andthatyouhavedone，andbyyouatmidnightweweresetfree，andtheoldhutintheforestwaschangedbackagainintomyroyalpalace。Andwhentheyhadarisen，theking\'ssonorderedthethreeattendantstosetoutandfetchthefatherandmotherofthegirltothemarriagefeast。Butwherearemytwosisters，inquiredthemaiden。Ihavelockedtheminthecellar，andto-morrowtheyshallbeledintotheforest，andshallliveasservantstoacharcoal-burner，untiltheyhavegrownkinder，anddonotleavepooranimalstosufferhunger。

Therewasonceuponatimeaveryoldwoman，wholivedwithherflockofgeeseinaremoteclearinginthemountains，andtherehadalittlehouse。Theclearingwassurroundedbyalargeforest，andeverymorningtheoldwomantookhercrutchandhobbledintoit。There，however，shewasquiteactive，moresothananyonewouldhavethought，consideringherage，andcollectedgrassforhergeese，pickedallthewildfruitshecouldreach，andcarriedeverythinghomeonherback。Anyonewouldhavethoughtthattheheavyloadwouldhaveweighedhertotheground，butshealwaysbroughtitsafelyhome。Ifanyonemether，shegreetedhimquitecourteously。Goodday，dearcountryman，itisafineday。Ah，youwonderthatIshoulddraggrassabout，buteveryonemusttakehisburdenonhisback。Nevertheless，peopledidnotliketomeetheriftheycouldhelpit，andtookbypreferencearound-aboutway，andwhenafatherwithhisboyspassedher，hewhisperedtothem，bewareoftheoldwoman。Shehasclawsbeneathhergloves。Sheisawitch。

Onemorning，ahandsomeyoungmanwasgoingthroughtheforest。

Thesunshonebright，thebirdssang，acoolbreezecreptthroughtheleaves，andhewasfullofjoyandgladness。Hehadasyetmetnoone，whenhesuddenlyperceivedtheoldwitchkneelingonthegroundcuttinggrasswithasickle。Shehadalreadythrustawholeloadintoherbundle，andnearitstoodtwobaskets，whichwerefilledwithwildapplesandpears。But，goodlittlemother，saidhe，howcanyoucarryallthataway。I

mustcarryit，dearsir，answeredshe，richfolk\'schildrenhavenoneedtodosuchthings，butwiththepeasantfolkthesayinggoes，don\'tlookbehindyou，youwillonlyseehowcrookedyourbackis。

Willyouhelpme，shesaid，asheremainedstandingbyher。

Youhavestillastraightbackandyounglegs，itwouldbeatrifletoyou。Besides，myhouseisnotsoveryfarfromhere，itstandsthereontheheathbehindthehill。Howsoonyouwouldboundupthither。Theyoungmantookcompassionontheoldwoman。Myfatheriscertainlynopeasant，repliedhe，butarichcount。Nevertheless，thatyoumayseethatitisnotonlypeasantswhocancarrythings，Iwilltakeyourbundle。Ifyouwilltryit，saidshe，Ishallbeveryglad。Youwillcertainlyhavetowalkforanhour，butwhatwillthatmattertoyou，onlyyoumustcarrytheapplesandpearsaswell。Theyoungmanfeltsomewhatuneasywhenheheardofanhour\'swalk，buttheoldwomanwouldnotlethimoff，packedthebundleonhisback，andhungthetwobasketsonhisarm。See，itisquitelight，saidshe。No，itisnotlight，answeredthecount，andpulledaruefulface。Verily，thebundleweighsasheavilyasifitwerefullofcobblestones，andtheapplesandpearsareasheavyaslead。I

canscarcelybreathe。Hehadamindtoputeverythingdownagain，buttheoldwomanwouldnotallowit。Justlook，saidshemockingly，theyounggentlemanwillnotcarrywhatI，anoldwoman，havesooftendraggedalong。Youarereadywithfinewords，butwhenitcomestobeearnest，youwanttotaketoyourheels。

Whyareyoustandingloiteringthere。Shecontinued，stepout。

Noonewilltakethebundleoffagain。Aslongashewalkedonlevelground，itwasstillbearable，butwhentheycametothehillandhadtoclimb，andthestonesrolleddownunderhisfeetasiftheywerealive，itwasbeyondhisstrength。Dropsofsweatstoodonhisforehead，andran，hotandcold，downhisback。Mother，saidhe，Icangonofarther。Iwanttorestalittle。Nothere，answeredtheoldwoman，whenwehavearrivedatourjourney\'send，youcanrest。Butnowyoumustgoforward。Whoknowswhatgooditmaydoyou。Oldwoman，youarebecomingshameless，saidthecount，andtriedtothrowoffthebundle，buthelaboredinvain。Itstuckasfasttohisbackasifitgrewthere。

Heturnedandtwisted，buthecouldnotgetridofit。Theoldwomanlaughedatthis，andsprangaboutquitedelightedonhercrutch。Don\'tgetangry，dearsir，saidshe，youaregrowingasredinthefaceasaturkey-cock。Carryyourbundlepatiently。

Iwillgiveyouagoodpresentwhenwegethome。

Whatcouldhedo。Hewasobligedtosubmittohisfate，andcrawlalongpatientlybehindtheoldwoman。Sheseemedtogrowmoreandmorenimble，andhisburdenstillheavier。Allatonceshemadeabound，jumpedontothebundleandseatedherselfonthetopofit。Andhoweverwitheredshemightbe，shewasyetheavierthanthestoutestcountrylass。Theyouth\'skneestrembled，butwhenhedidnotgoon，theoldwomanhithimaboutthelegswithaswitchandwithstinging-nettles。

Groaningcontinually，heclimbedthemountain，andatlengthreachedtheoldwoman\'shouse，whenhewasjustabouttodrop。

Whenthegeeseperceivedtheoldwoman，theyflappedtheirwings，stretchedouttheirnecks，rantomeether，cacklingallthewhile。Behindtheflockwalked，stickinhand，anoldwench，strongandbig，butuglyasnight。Goodmother，saidshetotheoldwoman，hasanythinghappenedtoyou，youhavestayedawaysolong。Bynomeans，mydeardaughter，answeredshe，Ihavemetwithnothingbad，but，onthecontrary，withthiskindgentleman，whohascarriedmyburdenforme。Onlythink，heeventookmeonhisbackwhenIwastired。Theway，too，hasnotseemedlongtous。Wehavebeenmerry，andhavebeencrackingjokeswitheachotherallthetime。Atlasttheoldwomansliddown，tookthebundleofftheyoungman\'sback，andthebasketsfromhisarm，lookedathimquitekindly，andsaid，nowseatyourselfonthebenchbeforethedoor，andrest。Youhavefairlyearnedyourwages，andtheyshallnotbewanting。Thenshesaidtothegoose-girl，gointothehouse，mydeardaughter，itisnotbecomingforyoutobealonewithayounggentleman。Onemustnotpouroilontothefire，hemightfallinlovewithyou。Thecountknewnotwhethertolaughortocry。Suchasweetheartasthat，thoughthe，couldnottouchmyheart，evenifshewerethirtyyearsyounger。Inthemeantimetheoldwomanstrokedandfondledhergeeseasiftheywerechildren，andthenwentintothehousewithherdaughter。Theyouthlaydownonthebench，underawildapple-tree。Theairwaswarmandmild。Onallsidesstretchedagreenmeadow，whichwassetwithcowslips，wildthyme，andathousandotherflowers。Throughthemidstofitrippledaclearbrookonwhichthesunsparkled，andthewhitegeesewentwalkingbackwardsandforwards，orpaddledinthewater。Itisquitedelightfulhere，saidhe，butIamsotiredthatIcannotkeepmyeyesopen。Iwillsleepalittle。

Ifonlyagustofwinddoesnotcomeandblowmylegsoffmybody，fortheyareasrottenastinder。

Whenhehadsleptalittlewhile，theoldwomancameandshookhimtillheawoke。Situp，saidshe，youcannotstayhere。I

havecertainlytreatedyouillenough，stillithasnotcostyouyourlife。Ofmoneyandlandyouhavenoneed，hereissomethingelseforyou。Thereuponshethrustalittleboxintohishand，whichwascutoutofasingleemerald。Takegreatcareofit，saidshe，itwillbringyougoodfortune。Thecountsprangup，andashefeltthathewasquitefresh，andhadrecoveredhisvigor，hethankedtheoldwomanforherpresent，andsetoffwithoutevenoncelookingbackatthebeautifuldaughter。Whenhewasalreadysomewayoff，hestillheardinthedistancethenoisycryofthegeese。

Forthreedaysthecounthadtowanderinthewildernessbeforehecouldfindhiswayout。Hethenreachedalargetown，andasnooneknewhim，hewasledintotheroyalpalace，wherethekingandqueenweresittingontheirthrone。Thecountfellononeknee，drewtheemeraldboxoutofhispocket，andlaiditatthequeen\'sfeet。Shebadehimriseandhandherthelittlebox。

Hardly，however，hadsheopenedit，andlookedtherein，thanshefellasifdeadtotheground。Thecountwasseizedbytheking\'sservants，andwasbeingledtoprison，whenthequeenopenedhereyes，andorderedthemtoreleasehim，andeveryonewastogoout，asshewishedtospeakwithhiminprivate。

Whenthequeenwasalone，shebegantoweepbitterly，andsaid，ofwhatusetomearethesplendorsandhonorswithwhichIamsurrounded。EverymorningIawakeinpainandsorrow。Ihadthreedaughters，theyoungestofwhomwassobeautifulthatthewholeworldlookedonherasawonder。Shewasaswhiteassnow，asrosyasapple-blossom，andherhairasradiantassun-beams。

Whenshecried，nottearsfellfromhereyes，butpearlsandjewelsonly。Whenshewasfifteenyearsold，thekingsummonedallthreesisterstocomebeforehisthrone。Youshouldhaveseenhowallthepeoplegazedwhentheyoungestentered，itwasjustasifthesunwererising。Thenthekingspoke，mydaughters，Iknownotwhenmylastdaymayarrive。Iwillto-daydecidewhateachshallreceiveatmydeath。Youallloveme，buttheoneofyouwholovesmebest，shallfarethebest。Eachofthemsaidshelovedhimbest。Canyounotexpresstome，saidtheking，howmuchyoudoloveme，andthusIshallseewhatyoumean。Theeldestspoke，Ilovemyfatherasdearlyasthesweetestsugar。

Thesecond，Ilovemyfatherasdearlyasmyprettiestdress。Buttheyoungestwassilent。Thenthefathersaid，andyou，mydearestchild，howmuchdoyouloveme。Idonotknow，andcancomparemylovewithnothing。Butherfatherinsistedthatsheshouldnamesomething。Soshesaidatlast，thebestfooddoesnotpleasemewithoutsalt，thereforeIlovemyfatherlikesalt。Whenthekingheardthat，hefellintoapassion，andsaid，ifyoulovemelikesalt，yourloveshallalsoberepaidyouwithsalt。Thenhedividedthekingdombetweenthetwoelder，butcausedasackofsalttobeboundonthebackoftheyoungest，andtwoservantshadtoleadherforthintothewildforest。Weallbeggedandprayedforher，saidthequeen，buttheking\'sangerwasnottobeappeased。Howshecriedwhenshehadtoleaveus。Thewholeroadwasstrewnwiththepearlswhichflowedfromhereyes。Thekingsoonafterwardsrepentedofhisgreatseverity，andhadthewholeforestsearchedforthepoorchild，butnoonecouldfindher。WhenIthinkthatthewildbeastshavedevouredher，Iknownothowtocontainmyselfforsorrow。ManyatimeIconsolemyselfwiththehopethatsheisstillalive，andmayhavehiddenherselfinacave，orhasfoundshelterwithcompassionatepeople。Butpicturetoyourself，whenIopenedyourlittleemeraldbox，apearllaytherein，ofexactlythesamekindasthosewhichusedtofallfrommydaughter\'seyes。Andthenyoucanalsoimaginehowthesightofitstirredmyheart。Youmusttellmehowyoucamebythatpearl。Thecounttoldherthathehadreceiveditfromtheoldwomanintheforest，whohadappearedverystrangetohim，andmustbeawitch，buthehadneitherseennorheardanythingofthequeen\'schild。Thekingandthequeenresolvedtoseekouttheoldwoman。Theythoughtthattherewherethepearlhadbeen，theywouldobtainnewsoftheirdaughter。

Theoldwomanwassittinginthatlonelyplaceatherspinning-wheelspinning。Itwasalreadydusk，andalogwhichwasburningonthehearthgaveascantylight。Allatoncetherewasanoiseoutside，thegeesewerecominghomefromthepasture，andutteringtheirhoarsecries。Soonafterwardsthedaughteralsoentered。

Buttheoldwomanscarcelythankedher，andonlyshookherheadalittle。Thedaughtersatdownbesideher，tookherspinning-wheel，andtwistedthethreadsasnimblyasayounggirl。

Thustheybothsatfortwohours，andexchangedneveraword。Atlastsomethingrustledatthewindowandtwofieryeyespeeredin。Itwasanoldnight-owl，whichcried\'uhu，threetimes。Theoldwomanlookedupjustalittle，thenshesaid，now，mylittledaughter，itistimeforyoutogooutanddoyourwork。Sheroseandwentout，andwheredidshego。Overthemeadowseveronwardintothevalley。Atlastshecametoawell，withthreeoldoak-treesstandingbesideit。Meanwhilethemoonhadrisenlargeandroundoverthemountain，anditwassolightthatonecouldhavefoundaneedle。Sheremovedaskinwhichcoveredherface，thenbentdowntothewell，andbegantowashherself。Whenshehadfinished，shedippedtheskinalsointhewater，andthenlaiditonthemeadow，sothatitshouldbleachinthemoonlight，anddryagain。Buthowthemaidenwaschanged。Suchachangeasthatwasneverseenbefore。

Whenthegraymaskfelloff，hergoldenhairbrokeforthlikesun-beams，andspreadaboutlikeamantleoverherwholeform。

Hereyesshoneoutasbrightlyasthestarsinheaven，andhercheeksbloomedasoftredlikeapple-blossom。

Butthefairmaidenwassad。Shesatdownandweptbitterly。

Onetearafteranotherforceditselfoutofhereyes，androlledthroughherlonghairtotheground。Thereshesat，andwouldhaveremainedsittingalongtime，iftherehadnotbeenarustlingandcrackingintheboughsoftheneighboringtree。Shespranguplikearoewhichhasbeenovertakenbytheshotofthehunter。

Justthenthemoonwasobscuredbyadarkcloud，andinaninstantthemaidenhadputontheoldskinandvanished，likealightblownoutbythewind。

Sheranbackhome，tremblinglikeanaspen-leaf。Theoldwomanwasstandingonthethreshold，andthegirlwasabouttorelatewhathadbefallenher，buttheoldwomanlaughedkindly，andsaid，Ialreadyknowall。Sheledherintotheroomandlightedanewlog。Shedidnot，however，sitdowntoherspinningagain，butfetchedabroomandbegantosweepandscour。Allmustbecleanandsweet，shesaidtothegirl。But，mother，saidthemaiden，whydoyoubeginworkatsolateanhour。Whatdoyouexpect。Doyouknowthenwhattimeitis，askedtheoldwoman。

Notyetmidnight，answeredthemaiden，butalreadypasteleveno\'clock。Doyounotremember，continuedtheoldwoman，thatitisthreeyearsto-daysinceyoucametome。Yourtimeisup，wecannolongerremaintogether。Thegirlwasterrified，andsaid，alas，dearmother，willyoucastmeoff。WhereshallIgo。

Ihavenofriends，andnohometowhichIcango。Ihavealwaysdoneasyoubademe，andyouhavealwaysbeensatisfiedwithme。Donotsendmeaway。Theoldwomanwouldnottellthemaidenwhatlaybeforeher。Mystayhereisover，shesaidtoher，butwhenIdepart，houseandparlormustbeclean。Thereforedonothindermeinmywork。Havenocareforyourself，youshallfindarooftoshelteryou，andthewageswhichIwillgiveyoushallalsocontentyou。Buttellmewhatisabouttohappen，themaidencontinuedtoentreat。Itellyouagain，donothindermeinmywork。Donotsayawordmore，gotoyourchamber，taketheskinoffyourface，andputonthesilkengownwhichyouhadonwhenyoucametome，andthenwaitinyourchamberuntilIcallyou。

ButImustoncemoretellofthekingandqueen，whohadjourneyedforthwiththecountinordertoseekouttheoldwomaninthewilderness。Thecounthadstrayedawayfromtheminthewoodbynight，andhadtowalkonwardsalone。Nextdayitseemedtohimthathewasontherighttrack。Hestillwentforward，untildarknesscameon，thenheclimbedatree，intendingtopassthenightthere，forhefearedthathemightlosehisway。

Whenthemoonilluminedthesurroundingcountryheperceivedafigurecomingdownthemountain。Shehadnostickinherhand，butyethecouldseethatitwasthegoose-girl，whomhehadseenbeforeinthehouseoftheoldwoman。Oho，criedhe，thereshecomes，andifIoncegetholdofoneofthewitches，theothershallnotescapeme。Buthowastonishedhewas，whenshewenttothewell，tookofftheskinandwashedherself，whenhergoldenhairfelldownallabouther，andshewasmorebeautifulthananyonewhomhehadeverseeninthewholeworld。Hehardlydaredtobreathe，butstretchedhisheadasfarforwardthroughtheleavesashecould，andstaredather。

Eitherhebentovertoofar，orwhateverthecausemightbe，theboughsuddenlycracked，andthatverymomentthemaidenslippedintotheskin，sprangawaylikearoe，andasthemoonwassuddenlycovered，disappearedfromhissight。Hardlyhadshedisappeared，beforethecountdescendedfromthetree，andhastenedafterherwithnimblesteps。Hehadnotbeengonelongbeforehesaw，inthetwilight，twofigurescomingoverthemeadow。

Itwasthekingandqueen，whohadperceivedfromadistancethelightshiningintheoldwoman\'slittlehouse，andweregoingtoit。Thecounttoldthemwhatwonderfulthingshehadseenbythewell，andtheydidnotdoubtthatithadbeentheirlostdaughter。Theywalkedonwardsfullofjoy，andsooncametothelittlehouse。Thegeeseweresittingallroundit，andhadthrusttheirheadsundertheirwingsandweresleeping，andnotoneofthemmoved。Thekingandqueenlookedinatthewindow，wheretheoldwomanwassittingquitequietlyspinning，noddingherheadandneverlookinground。Theroomwasperfectlyclean，asifthelittlemistmen，whocarrynodustontheirfeet，livedthere。Theirdaughter，however，theydidnotsee。Theygazedatallthisforalongtime，untilatlasttheytookheart，andknockedsoftlyatthewindow。Theoldwomanappearedtohavebeenexpectingthem。Sherose，andcalledoutquitekindly，comein。Iknowyoualready。Whentheyhadenteredtheroom，theoldwomansaid，youmighthavesparedyourselfthelongwalk，ifyouhadnotthreeyearsagounjustlydrivenawayyourchild，whoissogoodandlovable。Noharmhascometoher。

Forthreeyearsshehashadtotendthegeese。Withthemshehaslearntnoevil，buthaspreservedherpurityofheart。You，however，havebeensufficientlypunishedbythemiseryinwhichyouhavelived。Thenshewenttothechamberandcalled，comeout，mylittledaughter。Thereuponthedooropened，andtheprincesssteppedoutinhersilkengarments，withhergoldenhairandhershiningeyes，anditwasasifanangelfromheavenhadentered。

Shewentuptoherfatherandmother，fellontheirnecksandkissedthem。Therewasnohelpforit，theyallhadtoweepforjoy。Theyoungcountstoodnearthem，andwhensheperceivedhimshebecameasredinthefaceasamoss-rose，sheherselfdidnotknowwhy。Thekingsaid，mydearchild，Ihavegivenawaymykingdom，whatshallIgiveyou。Sheneedsnothing，saidtheoldwoman。Igiveherthetearsthatshehasweptonyouraccount。Theyarepreciouspearls，finerthanthosethatarefoundinthesea，andworthmorethanyourwholekingdom，andI

givehermylittlehouseaspaymentforherservices。Whentheoldwomanhadsaidthat，shedisappearedfromtheirsight。Thewallsrattledalittle，andwhenthekingandqueenlookedround，thelittlehousehadchangedintoasplendidpalace，aroyaltablehadbeenspread，andtheservantswererunninghitherandthither。

Thestorygoesstillfurther，butmygrandmother，whorelatedittome，hadpartlylosthermemory，andhadforgottentherest。

Ishallalwaysbelievethatthebeautifulprincessmarriedthecount，andthattheyremainedtogetherinthepalace，andlivedthereinallhappinesssolongasGodwilledit。Whetherthesnow-whitegeese，whichwerekeptnearthelittlehut，wereverilyyoungmaidensnooneneedtakeoffence，whomtheoldwomanhadtakenunderherprotection，andwhethertheynowreceivedtheirhumanformagain，andstayedashandmaidstotheyoungqueen，Idonotexactlyknow，butIsuspectit。Thismuchiscertain，thattheoldwomanwasnowitch，aspeoplethought，butawisewoman，whomeantwell。Verylikelyitwasshewho，attheprincess\'sbirth，gaveherthegiftofweepingpearlsinsteadoftears。Thatdoesnothappennowadays，orelsethepoorwouldsoonbecomerich。

Whenadamandeveweredrivenoutofparadise，theywerecompelledtobuildahouseforthemselvesonbarrenground，andeattheirbreadinthesweatoftheirbrow。Adamduguptheland，andevespun。Everyyearevebroughtachildintotheworld，butthechildrenwereunlikeeachother，somepretty，andsomeugly。

Afteraconsiderabletimehadgoneby，Godsentanangeltothem，toannouncethathewascomingtoinspecttheirhousehold。Eve，delightedthatthelordshouldbesogracious，cleanedherhousediligently，deckeditwithflowers，andstrewedrushesonthefloor。Thenshebroughtinherchildren，butonlythebeautifulones。Shewashedandbathedthem，combedtheirhair，putcleanraimentonthem，andcautionedthemtoconductthemselvesdecorouslyandmodestlyinthepresenceoftheLord。Theyweretobowdownbeforehimcivilly，holdouttheirhands，andtoanswerhisquestionsmodestlyandsensibly。Theuglychildren，however，werenottoletthemselvesbeseen。Onehidhimselfbeneaththehay，anotherundertheroof，athirdinthestraw，thefourthinthestove，thefifthinthecellar，thesixthunderatub，theseventhbeneaththewine-cask，theeighthunderanoldfurcloak，theninthandtenthbeneaththeclothoutofwhichshealwaysmadetheirclothes，andtheeleventhandtwelfthundertheleatheroutofwhichshecuttheirshoes。Shehadscarcelygotready，beforetherewasaknockatthehouse-door。Adamlookedthroughachink，andsawthatitwastheLord。Adamopenedthedoorrespectfully，andtheheavenlyfatherentered。There，inarow，stoodtheprettychildren，andbowedbeforehim，heldouttheirhands，andkneltdown。TheLord，however，begantoblessthem，laidhishandsonthefirst，andsaid，thoushaltbeapowerfulking，andtothesecond，thouaprince，tothethird，thouacount，tothefourth，thouaknight，tothefifth，thouanobleman，tothesixth，thouaburgher，totheseventh，thouamerchant，totheeighth，thoualearnedman。Hebestoweduponthemalsoallhisrichestblessings。WhenevesawthattheLordwassomildandgracious，shethought，Iwillbringhithermyill-favoredchildrenalso，itmaybethathewillbestowhisblessingonthemlikewise。

Sosheranandbroughtthemoutofthehay，thestraw，thestove，andwhereverelseshehadconcealedthem。Thencamethewholecoarse，dirty，scabby，sootyband。TheLordsmiled，lookedatthemall，andsaid，Iwillblessthesealso。Helaidhishandsonthefirst，andsaidtohim，thoushaltbeapeasant，tothesecond，thouafisherman，tothethird，thouasmith，tothefourth，thouatanner，tothefifth，thouaweaver，tothesixth，thouashoemaker，totheseventh，thouatailor，totheeighth，thouapotter，totheninth，thouawaggoner，tothetenth，thouasailor，totheeleventh，thouamessenger，tothetwelfth，thouascullionallthedaysofthylife。

Whenevehadheardallthisshesaid，Lord，howunequallythoudividestthygifts。Afteralltheyareallofthemmychildren，whomIhavebroughtintotheworld，thyfavorsshouldbegiventoallalike。ButGodanswered，eve，thoudostnotunderstand。

Itisrightandnecessarythattheentireworldshouldbesuppliedfromthychildren。Iftheywereallprincesandlords，whowouldgrowcorn，threshit，grindandbakeit。Whowouldbeblacksmiths，weavers，carpenters，masons，laborers，tailorsandseamstresses。Eachshallhavehisownplace，sothatoneshallsupporttheother，andallshallbefedlikethelimbsofonebody。Theneveanswered，ah，Lord，forgiveme，Iwastooquickinspeakingtothee。Havethydivinewillwithmychildren。

Therewasonceuponatimeamillerwholivedwithhiswifeingreatcontentment。Theyhadmoneyandland，andtheirprosperityincreasedyearbyyearmoreandmore。Butillluckcomeslikeathiefinthenight。Astheirwealthhadincreasedsodiditagaindecrease，yearbyyear，andatlastthemillercouldhardlycallthemillinwhichhelived，hisown。Hewasingreatdistress，andwhenhelaydownafterhisday\'swork，foundnorest，buttossedaboutinhisbed，sorelytroubled。Onemorningherosebeforedaybreakandwentoutintotheopenair，thinkingthatperhapstherehisheartmightbecomelighter。Ashewassteppingoverthemill-damthefirstsunbeamwasjustbreakingforth，andheheardaripplingsoundinthepond。Heturnedroundandperceivedabeautifulwoman，risingslowlyoutofthewater。Herlonghair，whichshewasholdingoffhershoulderswithhersofthands，felldownonbothsides，andcoveredherwhitebody。Hesoonsawthatshewasthenixieofthemill-pond，andinhisfrightdidnotknowwhetherheshouldrunawayorstaywherehewas。Butthenixiemadehersweetvoiceheard，calledhimbyhisname，andaskedhimwhyhewassosad。Themillerwasatfirststruckdumb，butwhenheheardherspeaksokindly，hetookheart，andtoldherhowhehadformerlylivedinwealthandhappiness，butthatnowhewassopoorthathedidnotknowwhattodo。Beeasy，answeredthenixie，Iwillmakeyouricherandhappierthanyouhaveeverbeenbefore，onlyyoumustpromisetogivemetheyoungthingwhichhasjustbeenborninyourhouse。Whatelsecanthatbe，thoughtthemiller，butapuppyorakitten，andhepromisedherwhatshedesired。Thenixiedescendedintothewateragain，andhehurriedbacktohismill，consoledandingoodspirits。Hehadnotyetreachedit，whenthemaid-servantcameoutofthehouseandcriedtohimtorejoice，forhiswifehadgivenbirthtoalittleboy。Themillerstoodasifstruckbylightning。Hesawverywellthatthecunningnixiehadbeenawareofit，andhadcheatedhim。Hanginghishead，hewentuptohiswife\'sbedsideandwhenshesaid，whydoyounotrejoiceoverthefineboy，hetoldherwhathadbefallenhim，andwhatkindofapromisehehadgiventothenixie。Ofwhatusetomearerichesandprosperity，headded，ifIamtolosemychild。ButwhatcanIdo。Eventherelatives，whohadcomethithertowishthemjoy，didnotknowwhattosay。Inthemeantimeprosperityagainreturnedtothemiller\'shouse。Allthatheundertooksucceeded。Itwasasifpressesandcoffersfilledthemselvesoftheirownaccord，andasifmoneymultipliednightlyinthecupboards。Itwasnotlongbeforehiswealthwasgreaterthanithadeverbeenbefore。Buthecouldnotrejoiceoverituntroubled，forthebargainwhichhehadmadewiththenixietormentedhissoul。Wheneverhepassedthemill-pond，hefearedshemightascendandremindhimofhisdebt。Heneverlettheboyhimselfgonearthewater。Beware，hesaidtohim，ifyoudobuttouchthewater，ahandwillrise，seizeyou，anddrawyoudown。Butasyearafteryearwentbyandthenixiedidnotshowherselfagain，themillerbegantofeelatease。Theboygrewuptobeayouthandwasapprenticedtoahuntsman。Whenhehadlearnteverything，andhadbecomeanexcellenthuntsman，thelordofthevillagetookhimintohisservice。Inthevillagelivedabeautifulandtrue-heartedmaiden，whopleasedthehuntsman，andwhenhismasterperceivedthat，hegavehimalittlehouse，thetwoweremarried，livedpeacefullyandhappily，andlovedeachotherwithalltheirhearts。

Onedaythehuntsmanwaschasingaroe。Andwhentheanimalturnedasidefromtheforestintotheopencountry，hepursueditandatlastshotit。Hedidnotnoticethathewasnowintheneighborhoodofthedangerousmill-pond，andwent，afterhehaddisembowelledtheroe，tothewater，inordertowashhisblood-stainedhands。Scarcely，however，hadhedippedtheminthanthenixieascended，smilinglywoundherdrippingarmsaroundhim，anddrewhimquicklydownunderthewaves，whichclosedoverhim。Whenitwasevening，andthehuntsmandidnotreturnhome，hiswifebecamealarmed。Shewentouttoseekhim，andashehadoftentoldherthathehadtobeonhisguardagainstthesnaresofthenixie，anddarednotventureintotheneighborhoodofthemill-pond，shealreadysuspectedwhathadhappened。Shehastenedtothewater，andwhenshefoundhishunting-pouchlyingontheshore，shecouldnolongerhaveanydoubtofthemisfortune。Lamentinghersorrow，andwringingherhands，shecalledonherbelovedbyname，butinvain。Shehurriedacrosstotheothersideofthepond，andcalledhimanew。Shereviledthenixiewithharshwords，butnoanswergreetedher。Thesurfaceofthewaterremainedcalm，onlythecrescentmoonstaredsteadilybackather。Thepoorwomandidnotleavethepond。Withhastysteps，shepacedroundandroundit，withoutrestingamoment，sometimesinsilence，sometimesutteringaloudcry，sometimessobbingsoftly。Atlastherstrengthcametoanend，shesankdowntothegroundandfellintoaheavysleep。Presentlyadreamtookpossessionofher。

Shewasanxiouslyclimbingupwardsbetweengreatmassesofrock。Thornsandbriarscaughtherfeet，therainbeatinherface，andthewindtossedherlonghairabout。Whenshehadreachedthesummit，quiteadifferentsightpresenteditselftoher。Theskywasblue，theairsoft，thegroundslopedgentlydownwards，andonagreenmeadow，gaywithflowersofeverycolor，stoodaprettycottage。Shewentuptoitandopenedthedoor。Theresatanoldwomanwithwhitehair，whobeckonedtoherkindly。Atthatverymoment，thepoorwomanawoke，dayhadalreadydawned，andsheatonceresolvedtoactinaccordancewithherdream。Shelaboriouslyclimbedthemountain。Everythingwasexactlyasshehadseenitinthenight。Theoldwomanreceivedherkindly，andpointedoutachaironwhichshemightsit。Youmusthavemetwithamisfortune，shesaid，sinceyouhavesoughtoutmylonelycottage。Withtears，thewomanrelatedwhathadbefallenher。Becomforted，saidtheoldwoman，Iwillhelpyou。Hereisagoldencombforyou。Tarrytillthefullmoonhasrisen，thengotothemill-pond，seatyourselfontheshore，andcombyourlongblackhairwiththiscomb。Whenyouhavedone，layitdownonthebank，andyouwillseewhatwillhappen。Thewomanreturnedhome，butthetimetillthefullmooncame，passedslowly。Whenatlasttheshiningdiscappearedintheheavens，shewentouttothemill-pond，satdownandcombedherlongblackhairwiththegoldencomb，andwhenshehadfinished，shelaiditdownatthewater\'sedge。Itwasnotlongbeforetherewasamovementinthedepths，awaverose，rolledtotheshore，andborethecombawaywithit。Innotmorethanthetimenecessaryforthecombtosinktothebottom，thesurfaceofthewaterparted，andtheheadofthehuntsmanarose。Hedidnotspeak，butlookedathiswifewithsorrowfulglances。

Atthesameinstant，asecondwavecamerushingup，andcoveredtheman\'shead。Allhadvanished，themill-pondlaypeacefulasbefore，andnothingbutthefaceofthefullmoonshoneonit。

Fullofsorrow，thewomanwentback，butagainthedreamshowedherthecottageoftheoldwoman。Nextmorningsheagainsetoutandcomplainedofherwoestothewisewoman。Theoldwomangaveheragoldenflute，andsaid，tarrytillthefullmooncomesagain，thentakethisflute。Playabeautifulaironit，andwhenyouhavefinished，layitonthesand。Thenyouwillseewhatwillhappen。Thewifedidastheoldwomantoldher。Nosoonerwastheflutelyingonthesandthantherewasastirringinthedepths，andawaverushedupandborethefluteawaywithit。Immediatelyafterwardsthewaterparted，andnotonlytheheadoftheman，buthalfofhisbodyalsoarose。Hestretchedouthisarmslonginglytowardsher，butasecondwavecameup，coveredhim，anddrewhimdownagain。Alas，whatdoesithelpme，saidtheunhappywoman，thatIshouldseemybeloved，onlytolosehimagain。Despairfilledherheartanew，butthedreamledherathirdtimetothehouseoftheoldwoman。Shesetout，andthewisewomangaveheragoldenspinning-wheel，consoledherandsaid，allisnotyetfulfilled，tarryuntilthetimeofthefullmoon，thentakethespinning-wheel，seatyourselfontheshore，andspinthespoolfull，andwhenyouhavedonethat，placethespinning-wheelnearthewater，andyouwillseewhatwillhappen。

Thewomanobeyedallshesaidexactly。Assoonasthefullmoonshoweditself，shecarriedthegoldenspinning-wheeltotheshore，andspanindustriouslyuntiltheflaxcametoanend，andthespoolwasquitefilledwiththethreads。Nosoonerwasthewheelstandingontheshorethantherewasamoreviolentmovementthanbeforeinthedepthsofthepond，andamightywaverushedup，andborethewheelawaywithit。Immediatelytheheadandthewholebodyofthemanroseintotheair，inawater-spout。

Hequicklysprangtotheshore，caughthiswifebythehandandfled。Buttheyhadscarcelygoneaverylittledistance，whenthewholepondrosewithafrightfulroar，andstreamedoutovertheopencountry。Thefugitivesalreadysawdeathbeforetheireyes，whenthewomaninherterrorimploredthehelpoftheoldwoman，andinaninstanttheyweretransformed，sheintoatoad，heintoafrog。Thefloodwhichhadovertakenthemcouldnotdestroythem，butittorethemapartandcarriedthemfaraway。

Whenthewaterhaddispersedandtheybothtoucheddrylandagain，theyregainedtheirhumanform，butneitherknewwheretheotherwas。Theyfoundthemselvesamongstrangepeople，whodidnotknowtheirnativeland。Highmountainsanddeepvalleyslaybetweenthem。Inordertokeepthemselvesalive，theywerebothobligedtotendsheep。Formanylongyearstheydrovetheirflocksthroughfieldandforestandwerefullofsorrowandlonging。

Whenspringhadoncemorebrokenforthontheearth，theybothwentoutonedaywiththeirflocks，andaschancewouldhaveit，theydrewneareachother。Theymetinavalley，butdidnotrecognizeeachother。Yettheyrejoicedthattheywerenolongersolonely。Henceforththeyeachdaydrovetheirflockstothesameplace。Theydidnotspeakmuch，buttheyfeltcomforted。Oneeveningwhenthefullmoonwasshininginthesky，andthesheepwerealreadyatrest，theshepherdpulledthefluteoutofhispocket，andplayedonitabeautifulbutsorrowfulair。Whenhehadfinishedhesawthattheshepherdesswasweepingbitterly。Whyareyouweeping，heasked。Alas，answeredshe，thusshonethefullmoonwhenIplayedthisaironthefluteforthelasttime，andtheheadofmybelovedroseoutofthewater。Helookedather，anditseemedasifaveilfellfromhiseyes，andherecognizedhisdearwife，andwhenshelookedathim，andthemoonshoneinhisfacesheknewhimalso。Theyembracedandkissedeachother，andnooneneedaskiftheywerehappy。

Therewasonceapoorshepherd-boywhosefatherandmotherweredead，andhewasplacedbytheauthoritiesinthehouseofarichman，whowastofeedhimandbringhimup。Themanandhiswife，however，hadbadhearts，andweregreedyandjealousoftheirriches，andvexedwheneveranyoneputamorseloftheirbreadinhismouth。Thepooryoungfellowmightdowhatheliked，hegotlittletoeat，butonlysomanyblowsthemore。

Onedayhehadtowatchahenandherchickens，butsheescapedthroughahedgewiththem，andahawkdarteddowninstantly，andcarriedheroffthroughtheair。Theboycalled，thief，thief，rascal，withallthestrengthofhisbody。Butwhatgooddidthatdo。Thehawkdidnotbringitspreybackagain。Themanheardthenoise，andrantothespot，andassoonashesawthathishenwasgone，hefellinarage，andgavetheboysuchabeatingthathecouldnotstirfortwodays。Thenhehadtotakecareofthechickenswithoutthehen，butnowhisdifficultywasgreater，foroneranhereandtheotherthere。

Hethoughthewasdoingaverywisethingwhenhetiedthemalltogetherwithastring，becausethenthehawkwouldnotbeabletostealanyofthemawayfromhim。Buthewasverymuchmistaken。Aftertwodays，wornoutwithrunningaboutandhunger，hefellasleep。Thebirdofpreycame，andseizedoneofthechickens，andastheothersweretiedfasttoit，itcarriedthemallofftogether，percheditselfonatree，anddevouredthem。Thefarmerwasjustcominghome，andwhenhesawthemisfortune，hegotangryandbeattheboysounmercifullythathewasforcedtolieinbedforseveraldays。

Whenhewasonhislegsagain，thefarmersaidtohim，youaretoostupidforme，Icannotmakeaherdsmanofyou，youmustgoaserrand-boy。Thenhesenthimtothejudge，towhomhewastocarryabasketfulofgrapes，andhegavehimaletteraswell。Onthewayhungerandthirsttormentedtheunhappyboysoviolentlythatheatetwograpes。Hetookthebaskettothejudge，butwhenthejudgehadreadtheletter，andcountedthegrapeshesaid，twoaremissing。Theboyconfessedquitehonestlythat，drivenbyhungerandthirst，hehaddevouredthetwowhichweremissing。Thejudgewrotealettertothefarmer，andaskedforthesamenumberofgrapesagain。Thesealsotheboyhadtotaketohimwithaletter。Asheagainwassoextremelyhungryandthirsty，hecouldnothelpit，andagainatetwograpes。

Butfirsthetooktheletteroutofthebasket，putitunderastoneandseatedhimselfthereoninorderthatthelettermightnotseeandbetrayhim。Thejudge，however，againmadehimgiveanexplanationaboutthemissinggrapes。Ah，saidtheboy，howhaveyoulearntthat。Thelettercouldnotknowaboutit，forIputitunderastonebeforeIdidit。Thejudgecouldnothelplaughingattheboy\'ssimplicity，andsentthemanaletterwhereinhecautionedhimtolookafterthepoorboybetter，andnotlethimwantformeatanddrink，andalsothathewastoteachhimwhatwasrightandwhatwaswrong。

Iwillsoonshowyouthedifference，saidthehardman，ifyouwilleat，youmustwork，andifyoudoanythingwrong，youshallbequitesufficientlytaughtbyblows。

Thenextdayhesethimahardtask。Hewastochoptwobundlesofhayforfoodforthehorses，andthenthemanthreatened，infivehours，saidhe，Ishallbebackagain，andifthehayisnotchoppedbythattime，Iwillbeatyouuntilyoucannotmovealimb。Thefarmerwentwithhiswife，theman-servantandthegirl，totheyearlyfair，andleftnothingbehindfortheboybutasmallbitofbread。Theboyseatedhimselfonthebench，andbegantoworkwithallhismight。Ashegotwarmoveritheputhislittlecoatoffandthrewitonthehay。Inhisterrorlestheshouldnotgetdoneintimehekeptconstantlycutting，andinhishaste，withoutnoticingit，hechoppedhislittlecoataswellasthehay。Hebecameawareofthemisfortunetoolate。Therewasnorepairingit。Ah，criedhe，nowallisoverwithme。Thewickedmandidnotthreatenmefornothing。IfhecomesbackandseeswhatIhavedone，hewillkillme。RatherthanthatI

willtakemyownlife。

Theboyhadonceheardthefarmer\'swifesay，Ihaveapotwithpoisoninitundermybed。She，however，hadonlysaidthattokeepawaygreedypeople，fortherewashoneyinit。

Theboycreptunderthebed，broughtoutthepot，andateallthatwasinit。Idonotknow，saidhe，folkssaydeathisbitter，butittastesverysweettome。Itisnowonderthatthefarmer\'swifehassooftenlongedfordeath。Heseatedhimselfinalittlechair，andwaspreparedtodie。Butinsteadofbecomingweakerhefelthimselfstrengthenedbythenourishingfood。Itcannothavebeenpoison，thoughthe，butthefarmeroncesaidtherewasasmallbottleofpoisonforfliesintheclosetinwhichhekeepshisclothes。That，nodoubt，willbethetruepoison，andbringdeathtome。Itwas，however，nopoisonforflies，buthungarianwine。Theboygotoutthebottle，andemptiedit。Thisdeathtastessweettoo，saidhe，butshortlyafterwhenthewinebegantomountintohisbrainandstupefyhim，hethoughthisendwasdrawingnear。IfeelthatImustdie，saidhe，Iwillgoawaytothechurchyard，andseekagrave。Hestaggeredout，reachedthechurchyard，andlaidhimselfinanewlyduggrave。Helosthissensesmoreandmore。Intheneighborhoodwasaninnwhereaweddingwasbeingheld。Whenheheardthemusic，hefanciedhewasalreadyinparadise，untilatlengthhelostallconsciousness。Thepoorboyneverawokeagain。Theheatofthestrongwineandthecoldnight-dewdeprivedhimoflife，andheremainedinthegraveinwhichhehadlaidhimself。

Whenthefarmerheardthenewsoftheboy\'sdeathhewasterrified，andafraidofbeingbroughttojustice-indeed，hisdistresstooksuchapowerfulholdofhimthathefellfaintingtotheground。

Hiswife，whowasstandingbythehearthwithapanofhotfat，rantohimtohelphim。Buttheflamesenvelopedthepan，thewholehousecaughtfire，inafewhoursitlayinashes，andtherestoftheyearstheyhadtolivetheypassedinpovertyandmisery，tormentedbythepangsofconscience。

Therewasonceuponatimeagirlwhowasyoungandbeautiful，butshehadlosthermotherwhenshewasquiteachild，andherstep-motherdidallshecouldtomakethegirl\'slifewretched。

Wheneverthiswomangaveheranythingtodo，sheworkedatitindefatigably，anddideverythingthatlayinherpower。Stillshecouldnottouchtheheartofthewickedwoman，shewasneversatisfied，itwasneverenough。Theharderthegirlworked，themoreworkwasputuponher，andallthatthewomanthoughtofwashowtoweighherdownwithstillheavierburdens，andmakeherlifestillmoremiserable。

Onedayshesaidtoher，herearetwelvepoundsoffeatherswhichyoumustpick，andiftheyarenotdonethisevening，youmayexpectagoodbeating。Doyouimagineyouaretoidleawaythewholeday。Thepoorgirlsatdowntothework，buttearsrandownhercheeksasshedidso，forshesawplainlyenoughthatitwasquiteimpossibletofinishtheworkinoneday。Whenevershehadalittleheapoffeatherslyingbeforeher，andshesighedorsmoteherhandstogetherinheranguish，theyflewaway，andshehadtopickthemupagain，andbeginherworkanew。Thensheputherelbowsonthetable，laidherfaceinhertwohands，andcried，istherenoone，then，onGod\'searthtohavepityonme。Thensheheardalowvoicewhichsaid，becomforted，mychild，Ihavecometohelpyou。Themaidenlookedup，andanoldwomanwasbyherside。Shetookthegirlkindlybythehand，andsaid，onlytellmewhatistroublingyou。Asshespokesokindly，thegirltoldherofhermiserablelife，andhowoneburdenafteranotherwaslaiduponher，andshenevercouldgettotheendoftheworkwhichwasgiventoher。IfIhavenotdonethesefeathersbythisevening，mystep-motherwillbeatme，shehasthreatenedshewill，andIknowshekeepsherword。Hertearsbegantoflowagain，butthegoodoldwomansaid，donotbeafraid，mychild，restawhile，andinthemeantimeIwilllooktoyourwork。Thegirllaydownonherbed，andsoonfellasleep。Theoldwomanseatedherselfatthetablewiththefeathers，andhowtheydidflyoffthequills，whichshescarcelytouchedwithherwitheredhands。

Thetwelvepoundsweresoonfinished，andwhenthegirlawoke，greatsnow-whiteheapswerelying，piledup，andeverythingintheroomwasneatlyclearedaway，buttheoldwomanhadvanished。ThemaidenthankedGod，andsatstilltilleveningcame，whenthestep-mothercameinandmarveledtoseetheworkcompleted。Justlook，youawkwardcreature，saidshe，whatcanbedonewhenpeopleareindustrious，andwhycouldyounotsetaboutsomethingelse。

Thereyousitwithyourhandscrossed。Whenshewentoutshesaid，thecreatureisworthmorethanhersalt。Imustgivehersomeworkthatisstillharder。

Nextmorningshecalledthegirl，andsaidthereisaspoonforyou。Withthatyoumustemptyoutthegreatpondwhichisbesidethegarden，andifitisnotdonebynight，youknowwhatwillhappen。Thegirltookthespoon，andsawthatitwasfullofholes，butevenifithadnotbeen，shenevercouldhaveemptiedthepondwithit。Shesettoworkatonce，kneltdownbythewater，intowhichhertearswerefalling，andbegantoemptyit。Butthegoodoldwomanappearedagain，andwhenshelearntthecauseofhergrief，shesaid，beofgoodcheer，mychild。Gointothethicketandliedownandsleep，Iwillsoondoyourwork。Assoonastheoldwomanwasalone，shebarelytouchedthepond，andavaporroseuponhighfromthewater，andmingleditselfwiththeclouds。Graduallythepondwasemptied，andwhenthemaidenawokebeforesunsetandcamethither，shesawnothingbutthefisheswhichwerestrugglinginthemud。Shewenttoherstep-mother，andshowedherthattheworkwasdone。

Itoughttohavebeendonelongbeforethis，saidshe，andgrewwhitewithanger，butshemeditatedsomethingnew。

Onthethirdmorningshesaidtothegirl，youmustbuildmeacastleontheplainthere，anditmustbereadybytheevening。Themaidenwasdismayed，andsaid，howcanIcompletesuchagreatwork。Iwillendurenoopposition，screamedthestep-mother。Ifyoucanemptyapondwithaspoonthatisfullofholes，youcanbuildacastletoo。Iwilltakepossessionofitthisveryday，andifanythingiswanting，evenifitbethemosttriflingthinginthekitchenorcellar，youknowwhatliesbeforeyou。Shedrovethegirlout，andwhensheenteredthevalley，therockswerethere，pileduponeabovetheother，andallherstrengthwouldnothaveenabledhereventomovetheverysmallestofthem。Shesatdownandwept，andstillshehopedtheoldwomanwouldhelpher。Theoldwomanwasnotlongincoming，shecomfortedherandsaid，liedownthereintheshadeandsleep，andIwillsoonbuildthecastleforyou。Ifitwouldbeapleasuretoyou，youcanliveinityourself。Whenthemaidenhadgoneaway，theoldwomantouchedthegrayrocks。Theybegantorise，movedtogetherandstoodthereasifgiantshadbuiltthewalls，andonthesethebuildingaroseanditseemedasifcountlesshandswereworkinginvisibly，andplacingonestoneuponanother。Therewasadullheavynoisefromtheground，pillarsaroseoftheirownaccordonhigh，andplacedthemselvesinorderneareachother。Thetileslaidthemselvesinorderontheroof，andwhennoon-daycame，thegreatweather-cockwasalreadyturningitselfonthesummitofthetower，likeagoldenmaidwithflutteringgarments。Theinsideofthecastlewasbeingfinishedwhileeveningwasdrawingnear。

Howtheoldwomanmanagedit，Iknownot，butthewallsoftheroomswerehungwithsilkandvelvet，embroideredchairswerethere，andrichlyornamentedarm-chairsbymarbletables，crystalchandeliershungdownfromtheceilings，andmirroredthemselvesinthesmoothfloor，greenparrotswerethereingiltcages，andsowerestrangebirdswhichsangmostbeautifully，andtherewasonallsidesasmuchmagnificenceasifakingweregoingtolivethere。Thesunwasjustsettingwhenthegirlawoke，andthebrightnessofathousandlightsflashedinherface。Shehurriedtothecastle，andenteredbytheopendoor。

Thestepswerespreadwithredcloth，andthegoldenbalustradebesetwithfloweringtrees。Whenshesawthesplendoroftherooms，shestoodasifturnedtostone。Whoknowshowlongshemighthavestoodthereifshehadnotrememberedthestep-mother。Alas，shesaidtoherself，ifshecouldbutbesatisfiedatlast，andwouldgiveupmakingmylifeamiserytome。Thegirlwentandtoldherthatthecastlewasready。Iwillmoveintoitatonce，saidshe，androsefromherseat。Whentheyenteredthecastle，shewasforcedtoholdherhandbeforehereyes，thebrilliancyofeverythingwassodazzling。Yousee，saidshetothegirl，howeasyithasbeenforyoutodothis，Ioughttohavegivenyousomethingharder。

Shewentthroughalltherooms，andexaminedeverycornertoseeifanythingwaswantingordefective，butshecoulddiscovernothing。Nowwewillgodownbelow，saidshe，lookingatthegirlwithmaliciouseyes。Thekitchenandthecellarstillhavetobeexaminedandifyouhaveforgottenanythingyoushallnotescapeyourpunishment。Butthefirewasburningonthehearth，andthemeatwascookinginthepans，thetongsandshovelwereleaningagainstthewall，andtheshiningbrazenutensilsallarrangedinsight。Nothingwasmissing，notevenacoal-boxandawater-pail。Whichisthewaytothecellar，shecried。Ifthatisnotabundantlyfilledwithwinecasksitshallgoillwithyou。Sheherselfraisedupthetrap-dooranddescended，butshehadhardlymadetwostepsbeforetheheavytrap-doorwhichwasonlylaidback，felldown。Thegirlheardascream，liftedupthedoorveryquicklytogotoheraid，butshehadfallendown，andthegirlfoundherlyinglifelessatthebottom。

Andnowthemagnificentcastlebelongedtothegirlalone。Sheatfirstdidnotknowhowtoreconcileherselftohergoodfortune。Beautifuldresseswerehanginginthewardrobes，thechestswerefilledwithgoldandsilver，orwithpearlsandjewels，andsheneverfeltadesirethatshewasnotabletogratify。Andsoonthefameofthebeautyandrichesofthemaidenwentoveralltheworld。Wooerspresentedthemselvesdailybutnonepleasedher。Atlengththesonofthekingcameandheknewhowtotouchherheart，andshebetrothedherselftohim。Inthegardenofthecastlewasalime-tree，underwhichtheywereonedaysittingtogether，whenhesaidtoher，Iwillgohomeandobtainmyfather\'sconsenttoourmarriage。

Ientreatyoutowaitformeunderthislime-tree，Ishallbebackwithyouinafewhours。Themaidenkissedhimonhisleftcheek，andsaid，keeptruetome，andneverletanyoneelsekissyouonthischeek。Iwillwaithereunderthelime-treeuntilyoureturn。

Themaidstayedbeneaththelime-treeuntilsunset，buthedidnotreturn。Shesatthreedaysfrommorningtillevening，waitingforhim，butinvain。Ashestillwasnottherebythefourthday，shesaid，someaccidenthasassuredlybefallenhim。

Iwillgooutandseekhim，andwillnotcomebackuntilIhavefoundhim。

Shepackedupthreeofhermostbeautifuldresses，oneembroideredwithbrightstars，thesecondwithsilvermoons，thethirdwithgoldensuns，tiedupahandfulofjewelsinherhandkerchief，andsetout。Sheinquiredeverywhereforherbetrothed，butnoonehadseenhim，nooneknewanythingabouthim。Farandwidedidshewanderthroughtheworld，butshefoundhimnot。Atlastshehiredherselftoafarmerasacowherd，andburiedherdressesandjewelsbeneathastone。

Andnowshelivedasaherdswoman，guardedherherd，andwasverysadandfulloflongingforherbeloved。Shehadalittlecalfwhichshetaughttoknowher，andfeditoutofherownhand，andwhenshesaid，littlecalf，littlecalf，kneelbymyside，anddonotforgetyourcowherd-maid，astheprinceforgothisbetrothedbride，whowaitedforhim\'neaththelime-tree\'sshade。

Thelittlecalfkneltdown，andshestrokedit。

Andwhenshehadlivedforacoupleofyearsaloneandfullofgrief，areportwasspreadoverallthelandthattheking\'sdaughterwasabouttocelebratehermarriage。Theroadtothetownpassedthroughthevillagewherethemaidenwasliving，anditcametopassthatoncewhenthemaidenwasdrivingoutherherd，thebridegroomtraveledby。Hewassittingproudlyonhishorse，andneverlookedround，butwhenshesawhimsherecognizedherbeloved，anditwasjustasifasharpknifehadpiercedherheart。Alas，saidshe，Ibelievedhimtruetome，buthehasforgottenme。

Nextdayheagaincamealongtheroad。Whenhewasnearhershesaidtothelittlecalf，littlecalf，littlecalf，kneelbymyside，anddonotforgetyourcowherd-maid，astheprinceforgothisbetrothedbride，whowaitedforhim\'neaththelime-tree\'sshade。

Whenhewasawareofthevoice，helookeddownandreinedinhishorse。Helookedintothegirl\'sfaceandthenputhishandsbeforehiseyesasifheweretryingtoremembersomething，buthesoonrodeonwardsandwasoutofsight。Alas，saidshe，henolongerknowsme。Andhergriefwasevergreater。

Soonafterthisagreatfestivalthreedayslongwastobeheldattheking\'scourt，andthewholecountrywasinvitedtoit。

NowwillItrymylastchance，thoughtthemaiden，andwheneveningcameshewenttothestoneunderwhichshehadburiedhertreasures。Shetookoutthedresswiththegoldensuns，putiton，andadornedherselfwiththejewels。Sheletdownherhair，whichshehadconcealedunderahandkerchief，anditfelldowninlongcurlsabouther，andthusshewentintothetown，andinthedarknesswasobservedbynoone。Whensheenteredthebrightlylightedhall，everyonestartedbackinamazement，butnooneknewwhoshewas。Theking\'ssonwenttomeether，buthedidnotrecognizeher。Heledherouttodance，andwassoenchantedwithherbeauty，thathethoughtnomoreoftheotherbride。Whenthefeastwasover，shevanishedinthecrowd，andhastenedbeforedaybreaktothevillage，wheresheoncemoreputonherherd\'sdress。

Nexteveningshetookoutthedresswiththesilvermoons，andputahalf-moonmadeofpreciousstonesinherhair。Whensheappearedatthefestival，alleyeswereturneduponher，buttheking\'ssonhastenedtomeether，andfilledwithloveforher，dancedwithheralone，andnolongersomuchasglancedatanyoneelse。Beforeshewentawayshewasforcedtopromisehimtocomeagaintothefestivalonthelastevening。

Whensheappearedforthethirdtime，sheworethestar-dresswhichsparkledateverystepshetook，andherhair-ribbonandgirdlewerestarredwithjewels。Theprincehadalreadybeenwaitingforherforalongtime，andforcedhiswayuptoher。

Dobuttellwhoyouare，saidhe，IfeeljustasifIhadalreadyknownyoualongtime。DoyounotknowwhatIdidwhenyouleftme。Thenshesteppeduptohim，andkissedhimonhisleftcheek，andinamomentitwasasifscalesfellfromhiseyes，andherecognizedthetruebride。Come，saidhetoher，hereIstaynolonger，gaveherhishamd，andledherdowntothecarriage。Thehorseshurriedawaytothemagiccastleasifthewindhadbeenharnessedtothecarriage。Theilluminatedwindowsalreadyshoneinthedistance。

Whentheydrovepastthelime-tree，countlessglow-wormswereswarmingaboutit。Itshookitsbranches，andsentforththeirfragrance。Onthestepsflowerswereblooming，andtheroomechoedwiththesongofstrangebirds，butinthehalltheentirecourtwasassembled，andthepriestwaswaitingtomarrythebridegroomandthetruebride。

Therewasonceagirlwhosefatherandmotherdiedwhileshewasstillalittlechild。Allalone，inasmallhouseattheendofthevillage，dwelthergodmother，whosupportedherselfbyspinning，weaving，andsewing。Theoldwomantooktheforlornchildtolivewithher，kepthertoherwork，andeducatedherinallthatisgood。Whenthegirlwasfifteenyearsold，theoldwomanbecameill，calledthechildtoherbedside，andsaid，deardaughter，Ifeelmyenddrawingnear。Ileaveyouthelittlehouse，whichwillprotectyoufromwindandweather，andmyspindle，shuttle，andneedle，withwhichyoucanearnyourbread。Thenshelaidherhandsonthegirl\'shead，blessedher，andsaid，onlypreservetheloveofGodinyourheart，andallwillgowellwithyou。Thereuponsheclosedhereyes，andwhenshewaslaidintheearth，themaidenfollowedthecoffin，weepingbitterly，andpaidherthelastmarkofrespect。

Andnowthemaidenlivedquitealoneinthelittlehouse，andwasindustrious，andspun，wove，andsewed，andtheblessingofthegoodoldwomanwasonallthatshedid。Itseemedasiftheflaxintheroomincreasedofitsownaccord，andwhenevershewoveapieceofclothorcarpet，orhadmadeashirt，sheatoncefoundabuyerwhopaidheramplyforit，sothatshewasinwantofnothing，andevenhadsomethingtosharewithothers。

Aboutthistime，thesonofthekingwastravelingaboutthecountrylookingforabride。Hewasnottochooseapoorone，anddidnotwanttohavearichone。Sohesaid，sheshallbemywifewhoisthepoorest，andatthesametimetherichest。Whenhecametothevillagewherethemaidendwelt，heinquired，ashedidwhereverhewent，whowastherichestandalsothepoorestgirlintheplace。Theyfirstnamedtherichest。Thepoorest，theysaid，wasthegirlwholivedinthesmallhousequiteattheendofthevillage。Therichgirlwassittinginallhersplendorbeforethedoorofherhouse，andwhentheprinceapproachedher，shegotup，wenttomeethim，andmadehimalowcurtsy。Helookedather，saidnothing，androdeon。Whenhecametothehouseofthepoorgirl，shewasnotstandingatthedoor，butsittinginherlittleroom。Hestoppedhishorse，andsawthroughthewindow，onwhichthebrightsunwasshining，thegirlsittingatherspinning-wheel，busilyspinning。Shelookedup，andwhenshesawthattheprincewaslookingin，sheblushedalloverherface，lethereyesfall，andwentonspinning。Idonotknowwhether，justatthatmoment，thethreadwasquiteeven，butshewentonspinninguntiltheking\'ssonhadriddenawayagain。Thenshewenttothewindow，openedit，andsaid，itissowarminthisroom，andshelookedafterhimaslongasshecoulddistinguishthewhitefeathersinhishat。Thenshesatdowntoworkagaininherroomandwentonwithherspinning，andasayingwhichtheoldwomanhadoftenrepeatedwhenshewassittingatherwork，cameintohermind，andshesangthesewordstoherself，spindle，myspindle，haste，hastetheeaway，andheretomyhousebringthewooer，Ipray。

Andwhatdoyouthinkhappened。Thespindlesprangoutofherhandinaninstant，andoutofthedoor，andwhen，inherastonishment，shegotupandlookedafterit，shesawthatitwasdancingoutmerrilyintotheopencountry，anddrawingashininggoldthreadafterit。Beforelong，ithadentirelyvanishedfromhersight。Asshehadnownospindle，thegirltooktheweaver\'sshuttleinherhand，satdowntoherloom，andbegantoweave。

Thespindle，however，dancedcontinuallyonwards，andjustasthethreadcametoanend，reachedtheprince。WhatdoIsee，hecried，thespindlecertainlywantstoshowmetheway，turnedhishorseabout，androdebackwiththegoldenthread。Thegirlhowever，wassittingatherworksinging，shuttle，myshuttle，weavewellthisday，andguidethewooertome，Ipray。

Immediatelytheshuttlesprangoutofherhandandoutbythedoor。

Beforethethreshold，however，itbegantoweaveacarpetwhichwasmorebeautifulthantheeyesofmanhadeveryetbeheld。

Liliesandrosesblossomedonbothsidesofit，andonagoldengroundinthecentergreenbranchesascended，underwhichboundedharesandrabbits，stagsanddeerstretchedtheirheadsinbetweenthem，brightly-coloredbirdsweresittinginthebranchesabove，theylackednothingbutthegiftofsong。Theshuttleleapthitherandthither，andeverythingseemedtogrowofitsownaccord。

Astheshuttlehadrunaway，thegirlsatdowntosew。Sheheldtheneedleinherhandandsang，needle，myneedle，sharp-pointedandfine，prepareforthewooerthishouseofmine。

Thentheneedleleaptoutofherfingers，andfleweverywhereabouttheroomasquickaslightning。Itwasjustasifinvisiblespiritswereworking，itcoveredtablesandbencheswithgreenclothinaninstant，andthechairswithvelvet，andhungthewindowswithsilkencurtains。Hardlyhadtheneedleputinthelaststitchthanthemaidensawthroughthewindowthewhitefeathersoftheprince，whomthespindlehadbroughtthitherbythegoldenthread。Healighted，steppedoverthecarpetintothehouse，andwhenheenteredtheroom，therestoodthemaideninherpoorgarments，butsheshoneoutfromwithinthemlikearosesurroundedbyleaves。

Youarethepoorestandalsotherichest，saidhetoher。Comewithme，youshallbemybride。Shedidnotspeak，butshegavehimherhand。Thenhegaveherakiss，ledherforth，liftedherontohishorse，andtookhertotheroyalcastle，wheretheweddingwassolemnizedwithgreatrejoicings。Thespindle，shuttle，andneedlewerepreservedinthetreasure-chamber，andheldingreathonor。

Therewasonceuponatimeaprincess，who，highunderthebattlementsinhercastle，hadanapartmentwithtwelvewindows，whichlookedoutineverypossibledirection，andwhensheclimbeduptoitandlookedaroundher，shecouldinspectherwholekingdom。

Whenshelookedoutofthefirst，hersightwasmorekeenthanthatofanyotherhumanbeing，fromthesecondshecouldseestillbetter，fromthethirdmoredistinctlystill，andsoitwenton，untilthetwelfth，fromwhichshesaweverythingabovetheearthandundertheearth，andnothingatallcouldbekeptsecretfromher。Moreover，asshewashaughty，andwouldbesubjecttonoone，butwishedtokeepthedominionforherselfalone，shecausedittobeproclaimedthatnooneshouldeverbeherhusbandwhocouldnotconcealhimselffromhersoeffectively，thatitshouldbequiteimpossibleforhertofindhim。Hewhotriedthis，however，andwasdiscoveredbyher，wastohavehisheadstruckoff，andstuckonapost。Ninety-sevenpostswiththeheadsofdeadmenwerealreadystandingbeforethecastle，andnoonehadcomeforwardforalongtime。Theprincesswasdelighted，andthoughttoherself，nowIshallbefreeaslongasIlive。

Thenthreebrothersappearedbeforeher，andannouncedtoherthattheyweredesirousoftryingtheirluck。Theeldestbelievedhewouldbequitesafeifhecreptintoalime-pit，butshesawhimfromthefirstwindow，madehimcomeout，andhadhisheadcutoff。Thesecondcreptintothecellarofthepalace，butsheperceivedhimalsofromthefirstwindow，andhisfatewassealed。

Hisheadwasplacedonthenineandninetiethpost。Thentheyoungestcametoherandentreatedhertogivehimadayforconsideration，andalsotobesograciousastooverlookitifsheshouldhappentodiscoverhimtwice，butifhefailedthethirdtime，hewouldlookonhislifeasover。Ashewassohandsome，andbeggedsoearnestly，shesaid，yes，Iwillgrantyouthat，butyouwillnotsucceed。