Chapter Chapter 7 · The Fairy

. The Fairy

Once upon a time there was a widow who had two daughters. The elder was

so much like her, both in looks and character, that whoever saw the

daughter saw the mother. They were both so disagreeable and so proud

that there was no living with them. The younger, who was the very

picture of her father for sweetness of temper and virtue, was withal one

of the most beautiful girls ever seen. As people naturally love their

own likeness, this mother doted on her elder daughter, and at the same

time had a great aversion for the younger. She made her eat in the

kitchen and work continually.

Among other things, this unfortunate child had to go twice a day to draw

water more than a mile and a half from the house, and bring home a

pitcherful of it. One day, as she was at this fountain, there came to

her a poor woman, who begged of her to let her drink.

"Oh, yes, with all my heart, Goody," said this pretty little girl.

Rinsing the pitcher at once, she took some of the clearest water from

the fountain, and gave it to her, holding up the pitcher all the while,

that she might drink the easier.

The good woman having drunk, said to her:--

"You are so pretty, so good and courteous, that I cannot help giving you

a gift." For this was a fairy, who had taken the form of a poor

country-woman, to see how far the civility and good manners of this

pretty girl would go. "I will give you for gift," continued the Fairy,

"that, at every word you speak, there shall come out of your mouth

either a flower or a jewel."

When this pretty girl returned, her mother scolded at her for staying so

long at the fountain.

"I beg your pardon, mamma," said the poor girl, "for not making more

haste."

And in speaking these words there came out of her mouth two roses, two

pearls, and two large diamonds.

"What is it I see there?" said her mother, quite astonished. "I think

pearls and diamonds come out of the girl's mouth! How happens this, my

child?"

This was the first time she had ever called her "my child."

The girl told her frankly all the matter, not without dropping out great

numbers of diamonds.

"Truly," cried the mother, "I must send my own dear child thither.

Fanny, look at what comes out of your sister's mouth when she speaks.

Would you not be glad, my dear, to have the same gift? You have only to

go and draw water out of the fountain, and when a poor woman asks you

to let her drink, to give it to her very civilly."

[Illustration: "WITH ALL MY HEART, GOODY." p. 75.]

"I should like to see myself going to the fountain to draw water," said

this ill-bred minx.

"I insist you shall go," said the mother, "and that instantly."

She went, but grumbled all the way, taking with her the best silver

tankard in the house.

She no sooner reached the fountain than she saw coming out of the wood,

a magnificently dressed lady, who came up to her, and asked to drink.

This was the same fairy who had appeared to her sister, but she had now

taken the air and dress of a princess, to see how far this girl's

rudeness would go.

"Am I come hither," said the proud, ill-bred girl, "to serve you with

water, pray? I suppose this silver tankard was brought purely for your

ladyship, was it? However, you may drink out of it, if you have a

fancy."

"You are scarcely polite," answered the fairy, without anger. "Well,

then, since you are so disobliging, I give you for gift that at every

word you speak there shall come out of your mouth a snake or a toad."

So soon as her mother saw her coming, she cried out:--

"Well, daughter?"

"Well, mother?" answered the unhappy girl, throwing out of her mouth a

viper and a toad.

"Oh, mercy!" cried the mother, "what is it I see? It is her sister who

has caused all this, but she shall pay for it," and immediately she ran

to beat her. The poor child fled away from her, and went to hide herself

in the forest nearby.

The King's son, who was returning from the chase, met her, and seeing

her so beautiful, asked her what she did there alone and why she cried.

"Alas! sir, my mother has turned me out of doors."

The King's son, who saw five or six pearls and as many diamonds come out

of her mouth, desired her to tell him how that happened. She told him

the whole story. The King's son fell in love with her, and, considering

that such a gift was worth more than any marriage portion another bride

could bring, conducted her to the palace of the King, his father, and

there married her.

As for her sister, she made herself so much hated that her own mother

turned her out of doors. The miserable girl, after wandering about and

finding no one to take her in, went to a corner of the wood, and there

died.