Design Practice II//Product/Range/Distribution//Complete Grimm's Fairy Tales.

After around seven hours typing up from my 1928 copy of Grimm's Fairy Tales, published by John F. Shaw & Co. Ltd, I finally have content for my proposed 200 books for 200 schools Puffin Grimms Fairy Tale edition. 
Although, of course, to preserve copyright, this will be merely proposed for my student project, and in no way sold for commercial value.


10 STORIES INCLUDED, AS WRITTEN BELOW.


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SNOW-WHITE AND ROSE-RED

By The Brothers Grimm

A poor widow lived long ago in a little cottage in a lonely spot. Before the house lay a garden, in which grew two small rose bushes; one of these bore white roses, the other red roses. The widow had two children who were like the two rose trees, so one of them was called Snow-white, the second Rose-red. They were two of the best and nicest children in the world, and very industrious and cheerful, but Snow-white was quieter and more gentle than Rose-red. Rose-red loved to run about in the meadows and fields, looking for flowers and catching butterflies, while Snow-white preferred to sit at home with her mother, helping her with the house work, or reading to her if there was nothing else to do. The two children loved one another so much that whenever they went out they took each other’s hand; and when Snow-white said, “We will never leave one another”, Rose-red answered, “Never as long as we live.” And their mother always added, “Whatever one of you has, the other must share.” Often they ran about in the wood and gathered the red berries, and no animal hurt them as they passed by confidingly. The little hare ate a cabbage leaf out of their hands, the deer grazed at their side, the stag sprang merrily past, while the birds remained sitting on the boughs, singing to their hearts’ content.

No misfortune ever befell them; if they were wandering in the woods when it grew late and night came on, they laid themselves down in the moss, and slept till morning dawned, and the sun woke them. Their mother knew this, and was not at all anxious about them.

Once, when they had spent the night in the forest, and the rosy light of the dawn had roused them from their sleep, they saw a beautiful child clothed in shining white garments sitting near their resting-place. He stood up when they woke, and smiled at them, but said nothing, and went away into the wood. When they had looked about them, they saw that they had fallen asleep close to a precipice, over which they would certainly have fallen if they had gone only a few steps further into the darkness. Their mother told them it must have been one of the angels who watch over good children.

            Snow-white and Rose-red kept their mother’s cottage so beautifully clean that it was a pleasure to look at! In the summer-time Rose-red looked after the house, and before her mother was awake every morning, picked her a bunch of flowers, in which there was a rose from each of the trees. In the winter Snow-white lighted the fire, and hung the kettle on the hook. The kettle was made of brass, but it was polished so brightly that it shone like gold.

In the evening when the snowflakes fell, their mother said, “Go, Snow-white, and bolt the door.” Then they all sat round the fire, and their mother took her spectacles and read to them out of a great book, while the children sat and listened and spun. Close by them lay their pet lamb, and behind, on a perch, sat a white dove, with its head tucked under its wing.

One evening, as they were sitting comfortably together like this, someone knocked at the door, as if he wanted to be let in.

“Quick Rose-red!” said her mother, “Open the door; it must be a traveller who is seeking for shelter.”

Rose-red went to the door, and drew back the bolt. She thought it might be a poor man, but it was not! It was a bear who pushed his big black head through the door!

            Rose-red screamed and sprang back into the room, the lamb bleated, the dove fluttered, and Snow-white hid herself behind her mother’s bed.

But the bear opened his mouth saying, “Don’t be afraid! I will not hurt you. I am half frozen, and only want to warm myself at your fire for a little while.”

“You poor Bear,” said the mother, “lay yourself down by the fire, only be careful that you do not burn your coat.” Then she called to the children, “Snow-white, Rose-red, come here; the Bear will not hurt you; he is quite friendly.”

Then the two children came back to the fire, and gradually the lamb and the dove crept closer too, and ceased to be afraid of him.

Then the Bear said, “Children, will you knock the snow off my fur?”

So they fetched a broom and brushed his coat quite clear of snow, and he stretched himself in front of the fire and growled quite happily and contentedly.

It was not long before they were quite friendly with him, and played all kinds of tricks with their clumsy visitor. They pulled his coat with their hands, put their feet on his back, and rolled him over and over, or they took a hazel stick and beat him, and when he growled, they only laughed. The Bear took it all in good part, only when they teased him too much, he cried out, “Don’t kill me, children!”

                        “Little Snow-white, O little Rose-red,

                        Strike not, oh strike not, your visitor dead.”   

When it was time to sleep and the others went to bed, the mother said to the Bear, “In God’s name, I invite you to stay here before the fire for the night; you will at least be protected from the cold and the bad weather.”

As soon as the day dawned, the two children let the Bear out, and he shuffled away over the snow into the forest. From this time forward the Bear came every night at the same time, laid himself down on the hearth, and allowed the children to amuse themselves with him as much as they liked. In fact, they grew so accustomed to him that they did not think of bolting the door until their black companion had arrived.

            When the spring came at last, and everything out of the doors was green, the Bear said one morning to Snow-white, “Now I must go away, and I shall not be able to come back all the summer.”

“Where are you going, dear old Bear?” asked Snow-white.

“I must go into the forest and guard my treasures from the wicked dwarfs,” answered the Bear. “In the winter, the ground is frozen, they cannot work and are obliged to stay below, but now, when the sun has thawed and warmed the earth, they burst forth, clamber up to the surface, search for treasure and steal. And anything that once gets into their clutches, or into their dens, will never see daylight again.”

Snow-white was very unhappy at parting with him, but as she unfastened the door, and the Bear hurried out, he caught himself on the lock and tore off a piece of his coat, and it seemed to Snow-white as if she had seen something golden shining through, but she was not quite sure. The Bear ran off hastily, and soon disappeared behind the trees.

Some time after this, the mother sent her children into the forest to collect wood. There they found a great tree felled to the ground, and saw something springing backwards and forwards from the trunk to the grass, but they could not decide what it was. But when they came closer, they saw it was a dwarf with an old, wizened face and a very long snow-white beard. The end of his beard had become caught in a cleft of the tree, and the little fellow sprang hither and thither like a dog tied with a cord, and did not know what to do to help himself. He stared at the girls with fiery-red eyes, and said, “Why do you stand there? Can’t you come here and help me?”

“What have you done, little man?” inquired Rose-red.

“Stupid, inquisitive goose!” answered the Dwarf. “I wanted to split the tree to get some wood for my kitchen fire. I had driven the wedge quite successfully, and it was all going on just as I wanted it to; but the horrid wood was too smooth, the wedge sprang out suddenly, and the tree closed up again so quickly that I could not pull my beard out. Now it has stuck fast, and I cannot move it. There, now you are laughing, you stupid, white-faced things! Ugh! You are horrid.”

However, the children paid no attention to his scolding and did all in their power to draw out his beard, but in vain. It was held too firmly.

“I will run and fetch someone to help,” said Rose-red.

“Thoughtless blockhead!” snarled the Dwarf. “The idea of fetching others to help! You are already two too many for me! Can’t you think of a better plan?”

“Do not be so impatient,” replied Snow-white. “See, I have thought of something.” So, saying, she drew out her scissors from her pocket and cut off the end of his beard.

Directly the Dwarf felt that he was freed, he grasped a sack filled with gold which had been placed between the roots of the tree, lifted it up, swung it on to his shoulders, and, muttering, “Rude things, to cut off a piece of my beautiful beard!” walked off without as much as glancing at the children.

It happened that soon after this their mother sent the two children to the town to buy several things. The road lay right across a heath, which was strewn here and there with great rocky boulders. As they crossed a heath they saw a big bird hovering in the air; it circled above them slowly, then began to sink down lower and lower, until it disappeared finally behind a rock near them. A moment later they heard a pitiful, piercing shriek. They ran up to the spot, and saw to their horror that the eagle seized their old friend the dwarf and was about to fly off with him.

The tender- hearted children at once seized hold of the little man, and held him fast, beating the eagle until he let go of his pray.

But when the dwarf had recovered a little from his first fright, he exclaimed in a squeaky voice “Couldn’t you handle me more gently? You have torn my thin coat, so so that it is tattered and in holes all over! Clumsy and awkward things that you are!” Then he took up a sack full of precious stones and glided away to his den among the rocks.

The children were used now to his ingratitude, so they went on their way and finished their business in the town. On their way home across the heath they surprised the dwarf, who has not expected that anyone would come by so late. He had emptied out his sack of jewels in a clean spot, and the evening sun shone on the flittering stones and made them sparkle and gleam so magnificently in all the colours of the rainbow, that the children stood still to look at them.

“Why are you standing there gaping?” cried the dwarf, and his ashy-grey face became crimson with rage. He was just going on with his scolding when a loud growling was heard, and a black bear came trotting out of the wood.

The dwarf sprang away terrified, but he could not reach his refuge, the bear was already upon him. Then in his anguish he called out, “Oh, dear Mr. Bear, spare me! I will give you all my treasures; see, the beautiful jewels are lying there. Only spare my life; what do you want with a small, lean thing like me? You would not feel me between your teeth. Look there, take those two naughty little girls. They would make you a fine, tender meal; they are as fat as young quails- eat them.”

The Bear took no heed of his words, but gave the wicked creature just one blow with his paw, and he never stirred again. The children has run off, but the Bear called after them, “Snow-white and Rose-red, don’t be afraid; stop, I will come with you.”

Then they recognised his voice, and stood still until the Bear came up to them. Then all at once his bear’s skin fell off, and a handsome man, dressed in gold, stood before them.

“I am a King’s son,” he said. “I was bewitched by the wicked dwarf, who stole my treasure from me and changed me into a Bear. I was obliged to roam about in the forest until I was released by his death. Now he has received the punishment he so richly deserved.”

Snow-white was married to him, and Rose-red to his brother, and they divided the great treasures which the dwarf had collected in his den between them. Their mother lived with her children happily and peacefully for many years after. But she took the two rose bushes with her, and planted them in front of her window, where they bore the most beautiful white and red roses every year.

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THE ELVES AND THE SHOEMAKER

There was once a Shoemaker, who, from no fault of his own, had become so poor that at last he had nothing left but just sufficient leather for one pair of shoes. In the evening he cut out the leather, intending to make it up in the morning; and as he had a good conscience, he lay quietly down to sleep, first commending himself to God. In the morning he said his prayers, and then sat down to work; but, behold, the pair of shoes were already made, and there they stood upon his board. The poor man was amazed, and knew not what to think; but he took the shoes into his hand to look at them more closely, and they were so neatly worked that not a stitch was wrong- just as if they had been made for a prize.

Presently a customer came in; and as the shoes pleased him very much, he paid down more than was usual, and so much that the Shoemaker was able to buy with it leather for two pairs. By the evening he had got his leather shaped out; and when he arose the next morning he prepared to work with fresh spirit; but there was no need- for the shoes stood all perfect on his board. He did not want either for customers, for two came who paid him so liberally for the shoes that he bought with the money material for four more airs more. There also, when he awoke, he found already made, and so it continued; when he cut overnight was in the morning turned into the neatest shoes possible. This went on until he had regained his former appearance, and was even becoming a prosperous man.

One evening- not long before Christmas- as he had cut out the usual quantity, he said to his wife before going to bed, “What say you to stopping up this night to see who it is that helps us so kindly?” His wife was satisfied, and fastened up a light; and then hid themselves in the corner of the room, where hung some clothes with concealed them. As soon as it was midnight it came two little manikins, who squatted down on the board; and taking up the prepared work, set to with their little fingers, stitching and sewing, and hammering so swiftly and lightly, that the Shoemaker did not take his eyes off them for astonishment. They did not cease until all was brought to an end, and the shoes stood ready on the table; and then they sprang quickly away.

The following morning the wife said, “The little men have made us rich, and we must show our gratitude to them; for although they run about they must be cold, for they have nothing on their bodies. I will make a little shirt, coat, waistcoat, trousers, and stockings for each, and do you make a pair of shoes for each.”

The husband assented; and one evening, when all was ready, they laid presents instead of the usual work on the board, and him themselves to see the result.

At midnight in came the Elves, jumping about, and soon prepared to work; but when they saw no leather, but the natty little clothes, they at first were astonished, but soon showed their rapturous glee. They drew on their coats, and smoothing them down, sang-

                                    

“Smart and natty boys are we;

Cobblers we’ll no longer be;”

                                    

And so they went on hopping over the stools and chairs, and at last out at the door. After that evening they did not come again; but the Shoemaker prospered in all he undertook, and lived happily to the end of his days.

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TOM THUMB (THUMBLING)

A poor woodman sat in his cottage one night, smoking his pipe by the fireside, while his wife sat by his side spinning. ’How lonely it is, wife,’ said he, as he puffed out a long curl of smoke, ’for you and me to sit here by ourselves, without any children to play about and amuse us while other people seem so happy and merry with their children!’ ’What you say is very true,’ said the wife, sighing, and turning round her wheel; ’how happy should I be if I had but one child! If it were ever so small–nay, if it were no bigger than my thumb–I should be very happy, and love it dearly.’ Now–odd as you may think it–it came to pass that this good woman’s wish was fulfilled, just in the very way she had wished it; for, not long afterwards, she had a little boy, who was quite healthy and strong, but was not much bigger than my thumb. So they said, ’Well, we cannot say we have not got what we wished for, and, little as he is, we will love him dearly.’ And they called him Thomas Thumb.

They gave him plenty of food, yet for all they could do he never grew bigger, but kept just the same size as he had been when he was born. Still, his eyes were sharp and sparkling, and he soon showed himself to be a clever little fellow, who always knew well what he was about.

One day, as the woodman was getting ready to go into the wood to cut fuel, he said, ’I wish I had someone to bring the cart after me, for I want to make haste.’ ’Oh, father,’ cried Tom, ’I will take care of that; the cart shall be in the wood by the time you want it.’ Then the woodman laughed, and said, ’How can that be? You cannot reach up to the horse’s bridle.’ ’Never mind that, father,’ said Tom; ’if my mother will only harness the horse, I will get into his ear and tell him which way to go.’ ’Well,’ said the father, ’we will try for once.’

When the time came the mother harnessed the horse to the cart, and put Tom into his ear; and as he sat there the little man told the beast how to go, crying out, ’Go on!’ and ’Stop!’ as he wanted: and thus the horse went on just as well as if the woodman had driven it himself into the wood. It happened that as the horse was going a little too fast, and Tom was calling out, ’Gently! Gently!’ two strangers came up. ’What an odd thing that is!’ said one: ’there is a cart going along, and I hear a carter talking to the horse, but yet I can see no one.’ ’That is queer, indeed,’ said the other; ’let us follow the cart, and see where it goes.’ So they went on into the wood, till at last they came to the place where the woodman was. Then Tom Thumb, seeing his father, cried out, ’See, father, here I am with the cart, all right and safe! Now take me down!’ So his father took hold of the horse with one hand, and with the other took his son out of the horse’s ear, and put him down upon a straw, where he sat as merry as you please.

The two strangers were all this time looking on, and did not know what to say for wonder. At last one took the other aside, and said, ’That little urchin will make our fortune, if we can get him, and carry him about from town to town as a show; we must buy him.’ So they went up to the woodman, and asked him what he would take for the little man. ’He will be better off,’ said they, ’with us than with you.’ ’I won’t sell him at all,’ said the father; ’my own flesh and blood is dearer to me than all the silver and gold in the world.’ But Tom, hearing of the bargain they wanted to make, crept up his father’s coat to his shoulder and whispered in his ear, ’Take the money, father, and let them have me; I’ll soon come back to you.’

So the woodman at last said he would sell Tom to the strangers for a large piece of gold, and they paid the price. ’Where would you like to sit?’ said one of them. ’Oh, put me on the rim of your hat; that will be a nice gallery for me; I can walk about there and see the country as we go along.’ So they did as he wished; and when Tom had taken leave of his father they took him away with them.

They journeyed on till it began to be dusky, and then the little man said, ’Let me get down, I’m tired.’ So the man took off his hat, and put him down on a clod of earth, in a ploughed field by the side of the road. But Tom ran about amongst the furrows, and at last slipped into an old mouse-hole. ’Good night, my masters!’ said he, ’I’m off! Mind and look sharp after me the next time.’ Then they ran at once to the place, and poked the ends of their sticks into the mouse-hole, but all in vain; Tom only crawled farther and farther in; and at last it became quite dark, so that they were forced to go their way without their prize, as sulky as could be.

When Tom found they were gone, he came out of his hiding-place. ’What dangerous walking it is,’ said he, ’in this ploughed field! If I were to fall from one of these great clods, I should undoubtedly break my neck.’ At last, by good luck, he found a large empty snail-shell. ’This is lucky,’ said he, ’I can sleep here very well’; and in he crept.

Just as he was falling asleep, he heard two men passing by, chatting together; and one said to the other, ’How can we rob that rich parson’s house of his silver and gold?’ ’I’ll tell you!’ cried Tom. ’What noise was that?’ said the thief, frightened; ’I’m sure I heard someone speak.’ They stood still listening, and Tom said, ’Take me with you, and I’ll soon show you how to get the parson’s money.’ ’But where are you?’ said they. ’Look about on the ground,’ answered he, ’and listen where the sound comes from.’ At last the thieves found him out, and lifted him up in their hands. ’You little urchin!’ they said, ’what can you do for us?’ ’Why, I can get between the iron window-bars of the parson’s house, and throw you out whatever you want.’ ’That’s a good thought,’ said the thieves; ’come along, we shall see what you can do.’

When they came to the parson’s house, Tom slipped through the window- bars into the room, and then called out as loud as he could bawl, ’Will you have all that is here?’ At this the thieves were frightened, and said, ’Softly, softly! Speak low, that you may not awaken anybody.’ But Tom seemed as if he did not understand them, and bawled out again, ’How much will you have? Shall I throw it all out?’ Now the cook lay in the next room; and hearing a noise she raised herself up in her bed and listened. Meantime the thieves were frightened, and ran off a little way; but at last they plucked up their hearts, and said, ’The little urchin is only trying to make fools of us.’ So they came back and whispered softly to him, saying, ’Now let us have no more of your roguish jokes; but throw us out some of the money.’ Then Tom called out as loud as he could, ’Very well! Hold your hands! Here it comes.’

The cook heard this quite plain, so she sprang out of bed, and ran to open the door. The thieves ran off as if a wolf was at their tails: and the maid, having groped about and found nothing, went away for a light. By the time she came back, Tom had slipped off into the barn; and when she had looked about and searched every hole and corner, and found nobody, she went to bed, thinking she must have been dreaming with her eyes open.

The little man crawled about in the hay-loft, and at last found a snug place to finish his night’s rest in; so he laid himself down, meaning to sleep till daylight, and then find his way home to his father and mother. But alas! How woefully he was undone! What crosses and sorrows happen to us all in this world! The cook got up early, before daybreak, to feed the cows; and going straight to the hay- loft, carried away a large bundle of hay, with the little man in the middle of it, fast asleep. He still, however, slept on, and did not awake till he found himself in the mouth of the cow; for the cook had put the hay into the cow’s rick, and the cow had taken Tom up in a mouthful of it. ’Good lack-a-day!’ said he, ’how came I to tumble into the mill?’ But he soon found out where he really was; and was forced to have all his wits about him, that he might not get between the cow’s teeth, and so be crushed to death. At last down he went into her stomach. ’It is rather dark,’ said he; ’they forgot to build windows in this room to let the sun in; a candle would be no bad thing.’

Though he made the best of his bad luck, he did not like his quarters at all; and the worst of it was, that more and more hay was always coming down, and the space left for him became smaller and smaller. At last he cried out as loud as he could, ‘Don’t bring me any more hay! Don’t bring me any more hay!’

The maid happened to be just then milking the cow; and hearing someone speak, but seeing nobody, and yet being quite sure it was the same voice that she had heard in the night, she was so frightened that she fell off her stool, and overset the milk-pail. As soon as she could pick herself up out of the dirt, she ran off as fast as she could to her master the parson, and said, ’Sir, sir, the cow is talking!’ But the parson said, ’Woman, thou art surely mad!’ However, he went with her into the cow-house, to try and see what was the matter.

Scarcely had they set foot on the threshold, when Tom called out, ’Don’t bring me any more hay!’ Then the parson himself was frightened; and thinking the cow was surely bewitched, told his man to kill her on the spot. So the cow was killed, and cut up; and the stomach, in which Tom lay, was thrown out upon a dunghill.

Tom soon set himself to work to get out, which was not a very easy task; but at last, just as he had made room to get his head out, fresh ill- luck befell him. A hungry wolf sprang out, and swallowed up the whole stomach, with Tom in it, at one gulp, and ran away.

Tom, however, was still not disheartened; and thinking the wolf would not dislike having some chat with him as he was going along, he called out, ’My good friend, I can show you a famous treat.’ ’Where’s that?’ said the wolf. ’In such and such a house,’ said Tom, describing his own father’s house. ’You can crawl through the drain into the kitchen and then into the pantry, and there you will find cakes, ham, beef, cold chicken, roast pig, apple-dumplings, and everything that your heart can wish.’

The wolf did not want to be asked twice; so that very night he went to the house and crawled through the drain into the kitchen, and then into the pantry, and ate and drank there to his heart’s content. As soon as he had had enough he wanted to get away; but he had eaten so much that he could not go out by the same way he came in.

This was just what Tom had reckoned upon; and now he began to set up a great shout, making all the noise he could. ‘Will you be easy?’ said the wolf; ‘You’ll awaken everybody in the house if you make such a clatter.’ ‘What’s that to me?’ said the little man; ‘You have had your frolic, now I’ve a mind to be merry myself’; and he began, singing and shouting as loud as he could.

The woodman and his wife, being awakened by the noise, peeped through a crack in the door; but when they saw a wolf was there, you may well suppose that they were sadly frightened; and the woodman ran for his axe, and gave his wife a scythe. ’Do you stay behind,’ said the woodman, ’and when I have knocked him on the head you must rip him up with the scythe.’ Tom heard all this, and cried out, ‘Father, father! I am here, the wolf has swallowed me.’ And his father said, ’Heaven be praised! We have found our dear child again’; and he told his wife not to use the scythe for fear she should hurt him. Then he aimed a great blow, and struck the wolf on the head, and killed him on the spot! And when he was dead they cut open his body, and set Tommy free. ‘Ah!’ said the father, ‘What fears we have had for you!’ ‘Yes, father,’ answered he; ‘I have travelled all over the world, I think, in one way or other, since we parted; and now I am very glad to come home and get fresh air again.’ ‘Why, where have you been?’ said his father. ‘I have been in a mouse-hole–and in a snail-shell–and down a cow’s throat– and in the wolf’s belly; and yet here I am again, safe and sound.’

‘Well,’ said they, ‘You are come back, and we will not sell you again for all the riches in the world.’

Then they hugged and kissed their dear little son, and gave him plenty to eat and drink, for he was very hungry; and then they fetched new clothes for him, for his old ones had been quite spoiled on his journey. So Master Thumb stayed at home with his father and mother, in peace; for though he had been so great a traveller, and had done and seen so many fine things, and was fond enough of telling the whole story, he always agreed that, after all, there’s no place like HOME!

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RAPUNZEL

There were once a man and a woman who had long, in vain, wished for a child. At length it appeared that God was about to grant their desire.

These people had a little window at the back of their house from which a splendid garden could be seen, which was full of the most beautiful flowers and herbs. It was, however, surrounded by a high wall, and no one dared to go into it because it belonged to an enchantress, who had great power and was dreaded by all the world.

One day the woman was standing by this window and looking down into the garden, when she saw a bed which was planted with the most beautiful rampion, and it looked so fresh and green that she longed for it. She quite pined away, and began to look pale and miserable.

Her husband was alarmed, and asked: 'What ails you, dear wife?'

'Ah,' she replied, 'If I can't eat some of the rampion, which is in the garden behind our house, I shall die.'

The man, who loved her, thought: 'Sooner than let your wife die, bring her some of the rampion yourself, let it cost what it will.'

At twilight, he clambered down over the wall into the garden of the enchantress, hastily clutched a handful of rampion, and took it to his wife. She at once made herself a salad of it, and ate it greedily. It tasted so good to her - so very good, that the next day she longed for it three times as much as before.

If he was to have any rest, her husband knew he must once more descend into the garden. Therefore, in the gloom of evening, he let himself down again; but when he had clambered down the wall he was terribly afraid, for he saw the enchantress standing before him.

'How can you dare,' said she with angry look, 'Descend into my garden and steal my rampion like a thief? You shall suffer for it!”

'Ah,' answered he, 'Let mercy take the place of justice, I only made up my mind to do it out of necessity. My wife saw your rampion from the window, and felt such a longing for it that she would have died if she had not got some to eat.'

The enchantress allowed her anger to be softened, and said to him: 'If the case be as you say, I will allow you to take away with you as much rampion as you will, only I make one condition, you must give me the child which your wife will bring into the world; it shall be well treated, and I will care for it like a mother.'

The man in his terror consented to everything.

When the woman was brought to bed, the enchantress appeared at once, gave the child the name of Rapunzel, and took it away with her.

Rapunzel grew into the most beautiful child under the sun. When she was twelve years old, the enchantress shut her into a tower in the middle of a forest. The tower had neither stairs nor door, but near the top was a little window. When the enchantress wanted to go in, she placed herself beneath it and cried:

‘Rapunzel, Rapunzel,
Let down your hair to me.' 

Rapunzel had magnificent long hair, fine as spun gold, and when she heard the voice of the enchantress, she unfastened her braided tresses, wound them round one of the hooks of the window above, and then the hair fell twenty ells down, and the enchantress climbed up by it.

After a year or two, it came to pass that the king's son rode through the forest and passed by the tower. Then he heard a song, which was so charming that he stood still and listened. It was Rapunzel, who in her solitude passed her time in letting her sweet voice resound. The king's son wanted to climb up to her, and looked for the door of the tower, but none was to be found. He rode home, but the singing had so deeply touched his heart, that every day he went out into the forest and listened to it.

Once when he was thus standing behind a tree, he saw that an enchantress came there, and he heard how she cried:

'Rapunzel, Rapunzel,
Let down your hair to me.'

Then Rapunzel let down the braids of her hair, and the enchantress climbed up to her.

'If that is the ladder by which one mounts, I too will try my fortune,' said he, and the next day when it began to grow dark, he went to the tower and cried:

'Rapunzel, Rapunzel,
Let down your hair to me.'

Immediately the hair fell down and the king's son climbed up.

At first Rapunzel was terribly frightened when a man, such as her eyes had never yet beheld, came to her; but the king's son began to talk to her quite like a friend, and told her that his heart had been so stirred that it had let him have no rest, and he had been forced to see her. Then Rapunzel lost her fear, and when he asked her if she would take him for her husband, and she saw that he was young and handsome, she thought: 'He will love me more than old Dame Gothel does'; and she said yes, and laid her hand in his.

 She said: 'I will willingly go away with you, but I do not know how to get down. Bring with you a skein of silk every time that you come, and I will weave a ladder with it, and when that is ready I will descend, and you will take me on your horse.'

They agreed that until that time he should come to her every evening, for the old woman came by day. The enchantress remarked nothing of this, until once Rapunzel said to her: 'Tell me, Dame Gothel, how it happens that you are so much heavier for me to draw up than the young king's son - he is with me in a moment.'

'Ah! you wicked child,' cried the enchantress. 'What do I hear you say! I thought I had separated you from all the world, and yet you have deceived me!'

In her anger she clutched Rapunzel's beautiful tresses, wrapped them twice round her left hand, seized a pair of scissors with the right, and snip, snap, they were cut off, and the lovely braids lay on the ground. And she was so pitiless that she took poor Rapunzel into a desert where she had to live in great grief and misery.

On the same day that she cast out Rapunzel, however, the enchantress fastened the braids of hair, which she had cut off, to the hook of the window, and when the king's son came and cried:

'Rapunzel, Rapunzel,
Let down your hair to me.'

She let the hair down. The king's son ascended, but instead of finding his dearest Rapunzel, he found the enchantress, who gazed at him with wicked and venomous looks.

'Aha!' she cried mockingly, 'You would fetch your dearest, but the beautiful bird sits no longer singing in the nest; the cat has got it, and will scratch out your eyes as well. Rapunzel is lost to you; you will never see her again.'

The king's son was beside himself with pain, and in his despair he leapt down from the tower. He escaped with his life, but the thorns into which he fell pierced his eyes.

He wandered quite blind about the forest, ate nothing but roots and berries, and did naught but lament and weep over the loss of his dearest wife. Thus he roamed about in misery for some years, and at length came to the desert where Rapunzel, with the twins to which she had given birth, a boy and a girl, lived in wretchedness. He heard a voice, and it seemed so familiar to him that he went towards it, and when he approached, Rapunzel knew him and fell on his neck and wept. Two of her tears wetted his eyes and they grew clear again, and he could see with them as before. He led her to his kingdom where he was joyfully received, and they lived for a long time afterwards, happy and contented.

//

SLEEPING BEAUTY (BRIAR ROSE)

In olden times there lived a King and Queen who lamented day by day that they had no children, and yet never a one was born. One day, as the Queen was walking by the side of the river at the bottom of the garden, she saw a poor little fish that had thrown itself out of the water, and lay gasping and nearly dead on the bank. The Queen took pity on the little fish, and threw it back again into the river; and before it swam away it lifted its head out of the water and said, “I know what your wish is, and it shall be fulfilled, in return for your kindness to me. You will soon have a little daughter.”

What the little fish had foretold soon came to pass, and a little girl was born who was so beautiful that the King almost lost his sense: but he ordered a great feast to be held, and invited to it not only his relatives, friends, and acquaintances, but also all the wise women who were kind and affectionate to children.

There happened to be thirteen in his dominions, but, since he had only twelve golden plates out of which they could eat, one had to stop at home.

The fete was celebrated with all the magnificence possible, and, as soon as it was over, the wise women presented the infant with their wonderful gifts: one with virtue, another with beauty, a third with riches, and so on, so that the child had everything that it so desired in the world.

Just as eleven had given their presents, the thirteenth old lady stepped in suddenly. She was in a tremendous passion because she had not been invited, and, without greeting or looking at anyone, she exclaimed loudly, “The Princess shall prick herself with a spindle on her fifteenth birthday and die!” and without a word further she turned her back and left the hall. All were terrified, but the twelfth fairy, who had not given her wish, then stepped up, but because she could not take away the evil wish, but only soften it, she said, “She shall not die, but shall fall into a sleep of a hundred years’ duration.”

Then the King, who naturally wished to protect his child from this misfortune, issued a decree commanding that every spindle in the kingdom should be burnt. Meanwhile all the gifts of the wise women were fulfilled, and the maiden became so beautiful, gentle, virtuous, and clever that everyone who saw her fell in love with her. It happened on the day when she was just fifteen years old that the Queen and the King were not at home, and so she was left alone in the castle. The maiden looked about it every place, going through all the rooms and chambers just as she pleased, until she came at last to an old tower.

Up the narrow, winding staircase she tripped until she arrived at a door, in the lock of which was a rusty key. This she turned, and the door sprang open, and there in the little room sat an old woman with spindle spinning flax.

“Good day, my good old lady,” said the Princess. “What are you doing here?”

“I am spinning,” said the old woman, nodding her head.

“What thing is that which twists round so merrily?” inquired the maiden; and she took the spindle to try her hand at spinning. Scarcely had she done so when the prophecy was fulfilled, for she pricked her finger; and at the very same moment she fell back upon a bed which stood near in a deep sleep. This sleep extended over the whole palace. The King and Queen, who had just come in, fell asleep in the hall, and all their courtiers with them- the horses in the stables, the doves upon the eaves, the flies upon the walls, and even the fire upon the hearth, all ceased to stir- the meat which was cooking ceased to sizzle, and the cook at the instant of pulling the hair of the kitchen- boy lost his hold and began to snore too. The wind also fell entirely, and not a leaf rustled on the trees around the castle.

Now around the palace a thick hedge of briars began growing, which every year grew higher and higher, till the castle was quite hid from view, so that none could not even seen the flag upon the tower. Then there went a legend through the land of the beautiful maiden Briar Rose, for so was the sleeping Princess named, and from time to time Princes came endeavouring to penetrate through the hedge into the castle; but it was not possible, for the thorns held them as if by hands, and the youths were unable to release themselves, and so perished miserably.

After the lapse of many years there came another King’s son into the country, and heard an old man tell the ledge of the hedge of briars: how that behind it stood a castle where slept a wondrously beauteous Princess called Briar Rose, who had slumbered nearly a hundred years, and with her the King and Queen and all their court. The old man further related what he had heard from his grandfather, that many Princes had come and tried to penetrate the hedge, and had died a miserable death. But the youth was not to be daunted, and however much the old man tried to dissuade him he would not listen, but cried out, “I fear not; I will not see this hedge of briars!”

Just at that time came the last day of the hundred years, when Briar Rose was to wake again. As the young Prince approached the hedge the thorns turned into fine large flowers, which of their own accord made a way for him to pass through and again closed up behind him. In the courtyard he saw the horses and dogs lying fast asleep, and on the eaves were the doves with their heads beneath their wings.

As soon as he went into the house there were the flies asleep upon the wall, the cook stood still with his hand on the hair of the kitchen- boy, the maid at the board with the unplucked fowl in her hand. He went on, and in the hall he found the courtiers lying asleep, and above, by the throne, were the King and Queen. He went on further, and all was so quiet that he could hear himself breathe, and at last he came to the tower and opened the door of the little room where slept Briar Rose. There she lay, looking so beautiful that he could not turn away his eyes, and he bent over her and kissed her. Just as he did so she opened her eyes, awoke, and greeted him with smiles. Then they went down together, and immediately the King and Queen awoke, and the whole court, and all stared at each other wondrously. Now the horses in the stables got up and shook themselves, the dogs wagged their tails, the doves upon the eaves drew their heads from under their wings, looked around, and flew away, the flies upon the walls began to crawl, the fire to burn brightly and to cook the meat, the meat began again to sizzle, the cook gave his lad a box upon the ear which made him call out, and the maid began to pluck the fowl furiously. The whole palace was once more in motion as if nothing has occurred, for the hundred years’ sleep had made no change to anyone.

By-and-by the wedding of the Prince with Briar Rose was celebrated with great splendour, and to the end of their lives they lived happy and contended.

//

THE SHOES WHICH WERE DANCED TO PIECES

There was once upon a time a King two had twelve daughters, every one of whom was prettier than her sisters. They slept together in one room, where their beds all stood in a row, and in the evening, as soon as they were gone to sleep, the King shut the door and bolted it. One morning, when he opened the door as usual, he perceived that the shoes were danced to pieces, and nobody could tell how it happened. The King therefore caused it to be proclaimed that whoever could discover where they had danced in the night should receive one of them to wife, and become King at his death; but whoever should attempt to do it, and after three nights and days fail, must lose his life. In a short time a Prince came and offered himself to undertake the task. He was well- received, and at night led to a room which adjoined the bed-chamber of the Princesses. There he was to watch whither they went to dance; and in order that they might not slip out secretly to another place, their room door was left open for him to see. But the Prince soon felt a mist steal over his eyes, and he went to sleep; and when he awoke in the morning he found the Princesses had all been dancing as usual, for their shoes stood there with holes in the soles. The second and third nights it happened just the same; and on the morrow the Prince lost his head without mercy. Afterwards came many more who attempted the task, but they all lost their lives.

One day it was chanced that a poor Soldier, who had a wound which prevented him from serving, came upon the road which led to the city where the King dwelt. There he met an old woman, who asked him whither he was going.

“I do not know myself altogether,” he replied; “but I had an idea of going to the palace where the Princesses dance their shoes to pieces, to find out the mystery, and so become King.”

“That is not difficult,” said the old woman, “if you do not drink the wine which will be brought to you in the evening, but feign to be asleep.”

With these words she gave him a cloak, and told him that if he put it on his shoulders he would become invisible and so be able to follow the Princesses. As soon as the Soldier had received this good advice he plucked up courage and presented himself before the King as a suitor. He was very well received as the others had been, and was dressed in princely clothes. When evening came he was led to his sleeping-room, and as he was about to go to bed the eldest Princess came and brought him a cup of wine, but he had fastened a bag under his throat, into which he poured the wine and drank none.

Then he laid himself down, and in a short time began to snore as if he were in a deep sleep, while the twelve sisters laughed to one another, saying “He might have spared himself the trouble!” In a few minutes they arose, opened cupboards, closets, and drawers, and pulled out a variety of beautiful clothes. As soon as they were dressed they looked at themselves in the glass, and presently began to dance; but the youngest sister said, “I know not how you are enjoying yourselves, but my heart sickens as if some misfortune were about to fall upon us.”

“What a goose you are!” cried the eldest sister. “You are always fearing something. Have you forgotten how many kings’ sons have already lost their lives? Why, if I had not given this Soldier his sleeping-draught, the simpleton could not even have kept his eyes open!”

As they were now quite ready, they first looked at the Soldier and satisfied themselves all was right, for he kept his eyes shut and did not move a bit; and then the eldest sister knocking on her bed, it sank down to the ground, and the twelve Princesses followed it through the opening, the eldest one going first. The Soldier, having observed everything all the while, put on his invisible cloak and descended with the youngest sister. About the middle of the steps down he trod on her cloak, and she exclaimed, much frightened, “Who is that who holds my cloak?”

“Don’t be so silly,” said the eldest sister; “you caught it on some nail or other, that is all.”

So they went completely down, and at the bottom was a wonderful avenue of trees, whose leaves were all silver, and shone and glittered. The Soldier thought of himself he would take a branch for a token, and broke it off, when a tremendous crack sounded as from the tree.

“It is not all right!” cried the youngest. “Did you not hear the crack?”

“That is a shot of welcome,” said the eldest, “because we have been so lucky.”

Then they passed into another avenue, where the leaves were of gold, and then into a further one, where they shone like diamonds. From both he broke off a twig, and each time the youngest Princess shrieked with terror, while the eldest one declared they were merely guns of welcome.

So they went further and came to a lake, on which were twelve little boars, and in each boat a handsome Prince, who each took one sister, and the old Soldier sat down in the boat where the youngest one was.

“I know not how it is,” said the Prince, “but the boat seems much heavier than usual, and I am obliged to use all my strength to row it along.”

“Perhaps that proceeds from the warmth of the weather,” said the Princess, “I am myself much more heated than usual.”

On the other side of the water stood a noble castle, which was well lighted, and one could hear the music of horns and fiddles within. Towards this they rowed, went in, and each Prince danced with his own partner, while the Soldier danced among them all invisible; and whenever a glass of wine was handed to one or the other he drank it out, so that it was empty when held to the lips; and the youngest sister again felt very uneasy, but her sister bade her hold her tongue. Here they danced till three in the morning, at which hour, because their shoes were in holes, they were compelled to desist. The Princes rowed them back again over the water, but this time the Soldier sat down with the eldest Princess. On the shore they took leave of the Princes and promised to return the following morning. When they came back up the steps, the Soldier ran up first, and lay down again in his bed; and when the twelve sisters came up, weary and sleepy, he snored so loudly that they all listened and cried, “How much safer could we be?” Then they took off their fine clothes, and locked them up, all putting their dancing- shoes under the bed, they lay down to sleep.

The next morning the Soldier said nothing, wishing to see more of this wonderful affair, and so the second and third nights passed like the first; the Princesses danced each time till their shoes were in holes, and the Soldier, for an additional token for his story, brought away a cup with him from the ballroom. When the time arrived for him, and then went before the King, while the twelve Princesses stood behind the door and listened to all that was said. “Where have my daughters danced during the night?” asked the King.

“With twelve Princes in a subterranean castle,” he replied; and relating everything as it has occurred, he produced his witnesses in three twigs and the cup. The King then summoned his daughters and asked them if the Soldier had spoken the truth. They were obliged to confess he had, and the King asked him which he would have for a wife.

“I am no longer young,” he replied, “so it had better be the eldest.” Thereupon the wedding was celebrated the selfsame day, and the kingdom appointed him at the King’s death. But the Princes were again bewitched in as many days as they had danced nights with the twelve Princesses.

//

LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD

Once upon a time there lived a sweet little girl, who was beloved by everyone who saw her; but her grandmother was so excessively fond of her that she never knew when she had thought and done enough for her.

One day the grandmother presented the little girl with a red velvet hood; and as it fitted her very well, she would never wear anything else; and so she was called Little Red Riding Hood. One day her mother said to her, “Come Red Riding Hood, here is a piece of nice meat, and a bottle of wine: take these to your grandmother; she is ill and weak, and will relish them. Make haste before she gets up; go quietly and carefully; and do not run, lest you should fall and break the bottle, and then your grandmother will get nothing. When you go into her room, do not forget to say ‘Good morning’; and do not look about in all the corners.

“I will do everything as you wish,” replied Red Riding Hood, taking her mother’s hand.

The grandmother dwelt far away in the wood, half an hour’s walk from the village, and as Little Red Riding Hood entered among the trees, she met the wood; but she did not know what a malicious beast it was, and so she was not at all afraid.

“Good day, Little Red Riding Hood,” he said.

“Many thanks, Wolf,” said she.

“Whither away so early, Little Red Cap?”

“To my grandmother’s,” she replied.

“What are you carrying under your apron?”

“Meat and wine,” she answered. “Yesterday we baked the meat, that grandmother, who is ill and weak, might have something nice and strengthening.”

“Where does your grandmother live?” asked the Wolf.

“A good quarter of an hour’s walk further in the forest. The cottage stands under three great oak trees; near it are some nut bushes, but which you will easily know it.”

But the Wolf thought to himself, “She is a nice tender thing, and will taste better than that old woman: I must set craftily, that I may snap them both up.”

Presently he came up again to Little Red Riding Hood and said-

“Just look at the beautiful flowers which grow around you; why do you not look about you? I believe you don’t hear how beautifully the birds sing. You walk on as if you were going to school; see how merrily everything is around you in the forest.”

So Little Red Riding Hood opened her eyes; and when she saw how the sunbeams glanced and danced through the trees, and what splendid flowers were blooming in her path, she thought,

“If I take my grandmother a fresh nosegay she will be very pleased; and it is so very early that I can, even then, get there in good time”; and running into the forest she looked about for her flowers.

But when she had once begun she did not know how to leave off, and kept going deeper and deeper and deeper among the trees in search of some more beautiful flower. The Wolf, however, ran straight to the house of the old grandmother, and knocked at the door.

“Who’s there?” asked the old lady.

“Only Little Red Riding Hood, bringing you some meat and wine: please open the door,” replied the Wolf.

“Lift up the latch,” cried the grandmother; “I am too weak to get up.”

So the Wolf lifted the latch, and the door flew open; and jumping without a word on the bed, he gobbled up the poor old lady. Then he put on her clothes, and tied her cap over his head; got into the bed, and drew the blankets over him.

All this time Red Riding Hood was still gathering flowers; and when she had plucked as many as she could carry, she remembered her grandmother, and made haste to the cottage.

She wondered very much to see the door wide open; and when she got into the room she began to feel very ill and exclaimed, “How sad I feel! I wish I had not come to-day.”

Then she said, “Good morning!” but received no answer; so she went up to the bed, and drew back the curtains, and there lay her grandmother, as she thought, with the cap drawn half over her eyes, looking very fierce.

“Oh, grandmother, what great ears you have!”

“The better to hear you with,” was the reply.

“And what great eyes you have!”

“The better to see you with.”

“And what great hands you have!”

“The better to touch you with.”

“But, grandmother, what great teeth you have!”

“The better to eat you with,” and scarcely were the words out of his mouth, when the Wolf made a spring out of bed, and swallowed up poor Little Red Riding Hood.

As soon as the Wold has thus satisfied his appetite, he laid himself down again in the bed and began to snore very loudly. A huntsman passing by overheard him, and thought-

“How loudly the old woman snores! I must see if she wants anything.”

So he stepped into the cottage; and when he came to the bed he saw the Wolf lying in it. “What! Do I find you here, you old sinner? I have long sought you,” exclaimed he; and taking aim with his gun, he shot the old Wolf dead.

Some folks say tat the last story is not the true one, but that one day, when Red Riding Hood was taking some baked meat to her grandmother’s. a Wolf met her, and wanted to mislead her; but she went straight on, and told her grandmother that she met a Wold, who wished her good day, but he looked so wickedly out of his great eyes, as if he would have eaten her had she not been on the highroad.

So the grandmother said, “Let us shut the door, that he may not enter.”

Soon afterwards came the Wolf, who knocked, and exclaimed-

“I am Red Riding Hood, grandmother; I bring you some roast meat.”

But they kept quite still, and did not open the door; so the Wolf, creeping several times round the house, at least jumped on the roof, intending to wait till Red Riding Hood went home in the evening, and then sneak after her and devour her in the darkness.

The old woman, however, saw all that the rascal intended; and as there stood before the door a great stone trough, she said to Little Red Riding Hood-

“Take this pail, child: yesterday boiled some sausages in this water, so pour it into the stone trough.”

Red Riding Hood poured many times, until the huge trough was full.

Then the Wolf sniffed the smell of sausages, and smacked his lips, and wished very much to taste, and at last he stretched his neck too far over, so that he lost his balance and slipped quite off the roof, right into the great trough beneath, wherein he was drowned and Little Red Cap ran home in high glee, but no one sorrowed for Mr. Wolf!

//

HANSEL AND GRETHEL

Once upon a time there dwelt near a large wood a poor woodcutter, with his wife and two children by his former marriage, a little boy called Hansel, and a girl named Grethel. He had little enough to break or bite; and once, when there was a great famine in the land, he could not procure even his daily bread; as he lay thinking in his bed one evening, restless and full of care, he sighed, and said to his wife-

“What will become of us? How can we feed our children, when we have no more than we can eat ourselves?”

“Listen, my husband,” answered she; “we will lead them away, quite early in the morning, into the thickest part of the wood, and there make them a dire, and give them each a little piece of bread; then we will go to our work, and leave them alone, so they will not find the way home again, and we shall be freed from them.”

“No, wife,” replied he, “that I can never do; how can you bring your heart to leave my children all alone in the wood? For the wild beasts will soon come and tear them to pieces.”

“Oh, you simpleton!” said she, “Then we must all four die of hunger; you had better plane the coffins for us.” But then she left him no peace till he consented, saying, “Ah, but I shall regret the poor children.”

The two children, however, had not gone to sleep for very hunger, and so they overheard what their step- mother said to their father. Grethel wept bitterly, and said to Hansel, “What will become of us?”

“Be quiet, Grethel,” said he; “Do not cry- I will soon help you.”

And as soon as their parents had fallen asleep, he got up, put on his coat, and unbarring the back door, slipped out. The moon shone brightly, and the white pebbles which lay before the door seemed like silver pieces, they glittered so brightly. Hansel stooped down and put as many into his pocket as it would hold; and then going back, he said to Grethel-

“Be comforted, dear sister, and sleep in peace; God will not forsake us.” And so saying, he went to bed again.

The next morning, before the sun arose, the wife went and woke the two children. “Get up, you lazy things; we are going to the forest to chop wood.” Then she gave them each a piece of bread, saying, “There is something for your dinner; do not eat it before the time, for you will get nothing else.” Grethel took the bread in her apron, for Hansel’s pocket was full of pebbles; and so they all set out upon their way. When they had gone a little distance, Hansel stood still, and peeped back at the house; and this he repeated several times, till his father said, “Hansel, what are you peeping at, and why do you lag behind? Take care, and remember your legs.”

“Ah, father,” said Hansel, “I’m looking at my white cat sitting upon the roof of the house, and trying to say goodbye.”

“You simpleton!” said the wife, “That is not a cat; it is only the sun shining on the white chimney.” But in reality Hansel was not looking at a cat, but every time he stopped he dropped a pebble out of his pocket upon the path.

When they came to the middle of the wood, the father told the children to collect wood, and he could make them a fire, so that they should not be cold. So Hansel and Grethel gathered together quite a little heap of twigs. Then they set fire to them; and as the flame burnt up high, the wife said, “Now you children, lie down near the fire, and rest yourselves, whilst we go into the forest to chop wood; when we are ready, I will come and call you.”

Hansel and Grethel sat down by the fire, and when it was noon, each ate the piece of bread; and because they could hear the blows of an axe, they thought their father was near: but it was not an axe, but a branch which he had cunningly bound to a withered tree, so as to be blown to and fro by the wind. They waited so long that at last their eyes closed from weariness, and they fell fast asleep. When they awoke, it was quite dark, and Grethel began to cry, “How shall we get out of the wood?” But Hansel tried to comfort her by saying, “Wait a little while till the moon rises, and then we will quickly find the way.” The moon soon shone forth, and Hansel, taking his sister’s hand, followed the pebbles, which glittered like new-coined silver pieces, and showed them the path. All night long they walked on, and as day broke they came to their father’s house. They knocked at the door, and when the wife opened it, and saw Hansel and Grethel, she exclaimed, “You wicked children! Why did you sleep so long in the wood? We thought you were never coming home again.” But their father was very glad, for it had grieved his heart to leave them all alone.

Not long afterwards there was again great scarcity in every corner of the land; and one night the children overheard their mother saying to their father, “Everything is again consumed; we have only half a loaf left, and then the song is ended: the children must be sent away. We will take them deeper into the wood, so that they may not find the way out again; it is the only means of escape left for us.”

But her husband felt heavy at heart, and thought, “It were better to share the last crust with the children.” His wife, however, would listen to nothing that he said, and scolded and reproached him without end.

He would says A must say B too; and he who consents the first time must also the second.

The children, however, had heard the conversation as they lay awake, and as soon as the old people went to sleep Hansel got up, intending to pick up some pebbles as before; but the wife had locked the door, so that he could not get out. Nevertheless he comforted Grethel saying, “Sleep in peace, dear Grethel. God is very kind and will help us.”

Early in the morning the step- mother came and pulled them out of bed, and gave them each a slice of bread, which was still smaller than the former piece. On the way, Hansel broke his in his pocket, and stooping every now and then dropped a crumb on the path. “Hansel, why do you stop and look about?” said the father; “Keep in the path.”

“I am looking at my little dove,” answered Hansel, “nodding a good-bye to me.”

“Silly boy!” said the wife, “That is no dove, but only the sun shining on the chimney.” But Hansel kept still dropping crumbs as he went along.

The mother led the children deep into the wood, where they had never been before, and there making an immense fire, she said to them, “Sit down here and rest, and when you feel tired you can sleep for a little while. We are going into the forest to hew wood, and in the evening, when we are ready, we will come and fetch you.”

When noon came Grethel shared her bread with Hansel who had strewn his on the path. Then they went to sleep; but the evening arrived and no one came to visit the poor children; and in the dark night they awoke, and Hansel comforted his sister by saying, “Only wait, Grethel, till the moon comes out, then we shall see the crumbs of bread which I have dropped, and they will show us the way home.” The moon shone and they got up, but they could not see any crumbs, for the thousands of birds which had been flying about in the woods and fields had picked them up. Hansel kept saying to Grethel, “We will soon find the way”; but they did not, and they walked the whole night long and the next day, but sill they did not come out of the wood; and they got so hungry, for they had nothing to eat but the berries which they found upon the bushes. Soon they got so tired that they could not drag themselves along, so they lay down under a tree and went to sleep.

It was now the third morning since they had left their father’s house, and they still walked on; but they only got deeper and deeper into the wood, and Hansel saw that if help did not come very soon they would die of hunger. As soon as it was noon they saw a beautiful snow white bird sitting upon a bough, which sang so sweetly that they stood still and listened to it. It soon left off, and spreading it’s wings flew off; and they followed it until it arrived at a cottage, upon the roof of which it perched; and when they went close up to it they saw that the cottage was made of bread and cakes, and the window panes were of clear sugar.

“We will go in there,” said Hansel, “and have a glorious feast. I will eat a piece of the rood, and you can eat the window. Will they not be sweet?” So Hansel reached up and broke a piece off the rood, in order to see how it tasted; while Grethel stepped up to the window and began to bite it. Then a sweet voice called out in the room-

                                   

“Tip, tap! Who goes there?”

But the children answered,

“The wind, the wind,

That flows through the air!”

And they went on eating without interruption. Hansel thought the roof tasted very nice, and so he tore off a great piece, while Grethel broke a large round pane of the window, and sat down quite contentedly.

Just then the door opened, and a very old woman, walking upon crutches, came out. Hansel and Grethel were so frightened that they let fall what they had in their hands; but the old woman, nodding her head, said, “Ah, you dear children, what has brought you hear? Come in and stop with me, and no harm shall befall you”; and so saying she took them both by the hand, and led them into her cottage. A good meal of milk and pancakes with sugar, apples, and nuts, was spread on the table, and in the back room were two nice little beds, covered with white, where Hansel and Grethel laid themselves down, and thought themselves in heaven. The old woman behaved very kindly to them, but in reality she was a wicked witch who waylaid children, and built the bread house in order to entice them in; but as soon as they were in her power she killed them, cooked and ate them, and made a great festival of the day. Witches have red eyes and cannot see very far; but they have a fine sense of smelling, like wild beasts, so that they know when children approach them. When Hansel and Grethel came near the witch’s house she laughed wickedly saying, “Here come two who shall not escape me.”

And early in the morning, before they awoke, she went up to them, and saw how lovingly they lay sleeping, with their chubby red cheeky; and she mumbled to herself, “That will be a good bite.” Then she took up Hansel with her rough hand, and shut him up in a little cage with a lattice door; and although he screamed loudly it was of no use. Grethel came next, and, shaking her till she awoke, she said, “Get up, you lazy thing, and fetch some water to cook something good for your brother, who must remain in that stall and get fat; when he is fat enough I shall eat him.” Grethel began to cry, but it was all useless, for the old witch made her do as she wished. So a nice meal was cooked for Hansel, but Grethel got nothing else but a crab’s claw.

Every morning the old witch came to the cage and said, “Hansel, stretch out your finger that I may feel whether you are getting fat.”

But Hansel used to stretch out a bone, and the old woman, having very bad sight, thought it was his finger, and wondered very much that he did not get more fat. When four weeks had passed, and Hansel still kept quite lean, she lost all her patience, and would not wait any longer. “Grethel,” she called out in a passion, “get some water quickly; be Hansel fat or lean, this morning I will kill and cook him.” Oh! How the poor little sister grieved; but she was forced to fetch the water, and fast the tears ran down her cheeks. “Had we only been eaten by the wild beasts in the wood, then we should have died together. But the old witch called out, “Leave off that noise; it will not help you one bit.”

Very early in the morning Grethel was forced to go out and fill the kettle, and make a fire. “First, we will bake, however,” said the old woman; “I have already heated the oven and kneaded the dough”; and so saying, she pushed poor Grethel up to the oven, out of which the flames were burning fiercely. “Creep in,” said the witch, “and see if it is hot enough, and then we will put in the bread”; but she intended when Grethel got in to shut up the oven and let her bake, so that she might eat her as well as Hansel. Grethel perceived what her thoughts were, and said “I do not know how to do it. How shall I get in?”

“You stupid goose,” she said, “the opening is big enough. See I could even get myself  in!” and she got up, and put her head in the oven. Then Grethel gave her a push, so that she fell right in, and then shutting the iron door she bolted it. Oh! How horridly she howled; but Grethel ran away, and left the ungodly witch to burn away to ashes.

Now she ran to Hansel, and, opening his door, called out, “Hansel, we are saved; the old witch is dead!” So he sprang out, like a bird out of his cage when the door is opened; and they were so glad that they fell upon each other’s neck, and kissed each other over and over again. And now, as there was nothing to fear, they went into the witch’s house, where in every corner were caskets full of pearls and precious stones. “These are better than pebbles,” said Hansel, putting as many into his pockets as it would hold; while Grethel though, “I will take some home too,” and filled her apron full. “We must be off now,” said Hansel, “and get out of this enchanted forest”; but when they had walked for two hours they came to a large piece of water. “We cannot get over,” said Hansel; “I see no bridge at all.”

“And there is no boat either,” said Grethel, “but there swims a white duck. I will ask her to help us over”; and she sang-

                                   

                                    “Little Duck, good little Duck,

                                    Grethel and Hansel, here we stand;

                                    There is neither stile nor bridge,

                                    Take us on your back to land.”

So the Duck came to them, and Hansel sat himself on, and bade his sister sit behind him. “No,” answered Grethel, “that will be too much for the Duck; she shall take us over one at a time.” This the good little bird did, and when both were happily arrived on the other side, and had gone a little way, they came to a well-known wood, which they knew the better every step they went, and at last they perceived their father’s house. They began to run, and, bursting into the house, they fell on their father’s neck. He had not one happy hour since he had left the children in the forest: and his wife was dead. Grethel shook her apron, and the pearls and precious stones rolled out upon the floor, and Hansel threw down one handful after another out of his pocket. Then all their sorrows were ended, and they lived together in great happiness.

//

CINDERELLA

Once upon a time the wife of a certain rich man fell very ill, and as she felt her end approaching she called her only child to her bedside and said, “My dear daughter, be pious and good, and then the good God will always protect you, and I will look from upon you from heaven and think of you.” Soon afterwards she closed her eyes and died. Every day the maiden went to her mother’s grave and wept over it, and she continued to be dutiful and pious; but when the winter came and snow made a white covering over the grave, and in the spring-time, when the sun had withdrawn this covering, her father took to himself another wife.

The wife brought with her two daughters, who were beautiful and fair in the face, but treacherous and wicked at heart. Then an unfortunate era began in the poor step- child’s life. “Shall the stupid goose sit in the parlour with us?” said the two daughters. “They who would eat bread must earn it. Out with the kitchen-maid!” So they took off her fine clothes and put upon her an old grey clock, and gave her wooden shoes for her feet. “See how the once proud princess is decked out now,” said they, and they led her mockingly into the kitchen. Then she was obliged to work hard from morning to night, and to go out early and fetch water, to make the fire, and cook and wash. The sisters treated her besides with every possible insult, derided her, and shook the peas and beans into the ashes, so that she had to pick them out again. At night, when she was tired, she had no bed to lie on, but was forced to sit in the ashes on the hearth; and because she looked dirty through this they named her Cinderella.

One day it fell out that the father wanted to go to the fair, so he asked his daughters what he should bring them.

“Some beautiful dresses,” said one.

“Pearls and precious stones,” replied the other.

“But you, Cinderella,” said he, “what will you have?”

“The first bough, father, that knocks against your hat on your way homewards, break it off for me,” she replied. So he bought the fine dresses, and the pearls and precious stones, for his two step- daughters; and on his return, as he rode through a green thicket, a hazel bough touched his hat, which he broke off and took with him. As soon as he got home he gave his step- daughters what they had wishes for, and to Cinderella he gave the hazel brand. She thanked him very much, and going to her mother’s grave she planted the branch on it, and wept so long that her tears fell and watered it, so that it grew and became a beautiful tree. Thrice a day Cinderella went beneath it to weep and pray; and each time a little white Bird flew down to her whatever she wished for.

After a time it fell out that the King appointed a festival, which was to last three days, and to which all the beautiful maidens in the country were invited, from whom his son was to choose a bride. When the two step- daughters heard that they might also appear they were very glad, and calling Cinderella they said, “Comb our hair, brush our shoes, and fasten our buckles, for we are going to the festival at the King’s palace.” Cinderella obeyed, but crying, because she wished to go with them to dance; so she asked her step- mother whether she would allow her.

“You, Cinderella!” she said; “You are covered with dust and dirt- will you go to the festival? You have no clothes or slippers, and how can you dance?” But as she urged her request the mother said at last, “I have now shaken into the ashes a tubful of beans, if you have picked them up again in two hours you shall go.”

Then the maiden left the room, and went out at the back door into the garden, and called out, “You tame pigeons, and doves, and all the birds of heaven, come and help me to gather the good beans into the tub, and the bad ones you may eat.” Presently in at the kitchen window came two white pigeons, and after them the doves, and soon all the birds under the heaven flew crowding in down upon the ashes. They then began- pick, pick, pick- and gathered all the good seeds into the tub; and scarcely an hour had passed when all was completed, and the birds flew away again. Then the maiden took the tub to the step-mother, rejoicing as she thought that she might now go to the festival; but the step- mother said, “No, Cinderella, you have no clothes, and cannot dance; you will only be laughed at.” As she began to cry, the step- mother said, “If you can pick up quite clean two tubs of beans which I throw against the ashes in one hour, you shall accompany them”. And she thought to herself, “She will never manage it.” As soon as the two tubs had been shot into the ashes, Cinderella went out at the back door into the garden and called out as before, “You tame pigeons, and doves, and all birds under heaven, come and help me to gather the good ones into the tubs, and the bad ones you may eat.” Presently in at the kitchen window came two white pigeons, and soon after them doves, and soon all the birds under heaven flew gently in down upon the ashes. Then they began- pick, pick, pick- and gathered all the seeds into the tub; and scarcely had half an hour passed before all were picked up, and off they flew again. The maiden now took the tubs to the step- mother, rejoicing at the thought that she could go to the festival. But the mother said, “It does not help you a bit; you cannot go with us, for you have no clothes, and cannot dance; we should be ashamed of you.” Thereupon she turned her back upon the maiden and hurried away with her two proud daughters.

As there was no one at home, Cinderella went to her mother’s grave under the hazel tree and said-

                                    “Rustle and shake yourself, dear tree-

                                    And silver and gold throw down to me.”

Then the Bird threw down a dress of gold and silver, and silken slippers, ornamented with silver. These Cinderella put on in great haste, and then she went to the ball. Her sisters and step- mother did not know her at all, and took her for some foreign princess, as she looked so beautiful in her golden dress, for of Cinderella they did not dream but that she was sitting at home picking the beans out of the ashes. Presently the Prince came up to her, and, taking her by the hand, led her to the dance. He would not dance with anyone else, and even would not let go of her hand; so that when anyone else asked her to dance, he said, “She is my partner.” They danced till evening, when she wished to go home; but the Prince said, “I will go with you and see you safe,” for he wanted to see to whom the maiden belonged. She flew away from him, however, and sprung into the pigeon- house; so that Prince waited till father came, whom he told that the strange maiden had run into the pigeon- house. Then the step- mother thought, “Could it be Cinderella?” And they brought an axe wherewith the Prince might cut open the door, and no one was found within.

And when they came into the house, there lay Cinderella in her dirty clothes among the ashes, and an oil lamp was burning in the chimney; for she had quickly jumped out on the other side of the pigeon- house, and had run to the hazel tree, where she had taken off her fine clothes and laid them on the grave, and the Bird had taken them again, and afterwards she had put on her little grey cloak and seated herself among the ashes in the kitchen.

The next day, when the festival was renewed, and her step- mother and her sisters had set out again, Cinderella went to the hazel tree and sang as before-

                                   

                                    “Rustle and shake yourself, dear tree-

                                    And silver and gold throw down to me.”

Then the Bird threw down a much more splendid dress than the former, and when the maiden appeared at the ball everyone was astonished at her beauty. The Prince, however, who had waited till she came, took her hand, and would dance with no one else; and if others came and asked, he replied as before, “She is my partner.” As soon as evening came she wished to depart, and the Prince followed her, wanting to see into whose house she went; but she sprang away from him, and ran into the garden behind the house. Therein stood a fine large tree, on which hung the most beautiful pears, and the boughs rustled as though a squirrel was among them; but the Prince could not see whence the noise proceeded. He waited, however, till the father came, and told him, “The strange maiden has escaped from me, and I think she has climbed up into this tree.” The father thought to himself, “Can it be Cinderella?” and, taking an axe, he chopped down the tree, but there was no one in it. When they went into the kitchen, there lay Cinderella among the ashes as before, for she had sprung down on the other side of the tree, and, having taken her clothes again to the Bird upon the hazel tree, she had put on once more her old grey cloak.

The third day, when her step- mother and her sisters had set out, Cinderella went again to her mother’s grave and said-

                                    “Rustle and shake yourself, dear tree-

                                    And silver and gold throw down to me.”

Then the Bird threw down her a dress, which was more splendid and glittering than she had ever had before, and the slippers were all golden. When she arrived at the ball they knew not what to say for wonderment, and the Prince danced with her alone as at first, and replied to everyone who asked her hand, “She is my partner.” As soon as evening came she wished to go, and as the Prince followed her she ran away so quickly that he could not overtake her. But he had contrived a stratagem, and spread the whole way with pitch, so tat it happened as the maiden ran that her slipper came off. The Prince took it up, and saw it was small and graceful and of pure gold; so the following morning he went with it to the father and said, “My bride shall be no other than she whose foot this golden slipper fits.” The two sisters were glad of this, for they had beautiful feet, and the elder went with it to her chamber to try it on, while her mother stood by. She could not, however, get her great toe into it, and the shoe was much too small; but the mother, reaching a knife said, “Cut off your toe, for if you are a queen you need not go any longer on foot.” The maiden cut it off and squeezed her foot into the shoe, and, concealing the pain she felt, went down to the Prince.

Then he placed her as his bride upon his horse and rode off; and as they passed by the grave there sat two little doves upon the hazel tree singing-

                                    “Backwards peep, backwards peep,

                                    There’s blood upon the shoe;

                                    The shoe’s too small, and she behind

                                    Is not the bride for you.”

Then the Prince looked behind, and saw the blood flowing; so he turned his horse back, and took the false bride home again, saying she was not the right one. Then the other sister must needs fit on the shoe, so she went to the chamber and got her toes nicely into the shoe, but the heel was too large. The mother, reaching a knife, said, “Cut a piece off your heel, for when you become queen you need not go any longer on foot.” She cut a piece off her heel, squeezed her foot into the shoe, and, concealing the pain she felt, went down to the Prince. Then he put her upon his horse as his bride and rode off; and as they passed the hazel tree there sat two little doves, who sang-

“Backwards peep, backwards peep,

                                    There’s blood upon the shoe;

                                    The shoe’s too small, and she behind

                                    Is not the bride for you.”

Then he looked behind, and saw the blood trickling from her shoe, and that the stocking was dyed quite red; so he turned his horse back and took the false bride home again saying, “Neither is this one the right maiden. Have you no other daughter?”

“No,” replied the father, “except little Cinderella, daughter of my deceased wife, who cannot possibly be the bride.” The Prince asked that she might be fetched; but the step- mother said, “Oh, no! She is much too dirty; I dare not let her be seen.” But the Prince would have his way; so Cinderella was called, and she, first washing her hands and face, went in and curtseyed to the Prince, who gave her the golden shoe. Cinderella sat down on a stool, and taking off her heavy wooden shoes, put on the slipper, which fitter her to a shade; and as she stood up the Prince looked in her face, and recognising the beautiful maiden with whom he had danced, exclaimed, “This is my true bride.” The step- mother and the two sisters were amazed and white with rage, but the Prince took Cinderella upon his horse, and rode away; and as they came up to the hazel tree the two little white doves sang-

                                    “Backwards peep, backwards peep.

                                    There’s no blood on the shoe;

                                    It fits so nice, and she behind

                                    Is the true bride for you.”

And as they finished they flew down and lighted upon Cinderella’s shoulders, and there they remained; and the wedding was celebrated with great festivities and the two sisters were smitten with blindness as a punishment for their wickedness.

//

LITTLE SNOW WHITE

Once upon a time in the depth of winter, when the broad flakes of snow were falling like feathers from the clouds, a Queen sat at her palace window, which had a fine ebony black frame, stitching her husband’s shirts.

While she was thus engaged and looking out at the snow she pricked her finger, and three drops of blood fell upon the snow. Seeing that the red looked so well upon the white, she said to herself, “Had I now but a child as white as this snow, as red as this blood, and as black as the ebony of this frame!” Soon afterwards a little daughter was born to her, who was as white as the snow, and red as blood, and with hair as black as ebony, and hence she was named “Snow- white”; but when the child was born the mother died.

About a year afterwards the King married another wife, who was very beautiful, but so proud and vain that she could not bear anyone to be better- looking than herself. She possessed a wonderful mirror, and when she stepped before it and said-

                                    “Oh mirror, mirror on the wall,

                                    Who is the fairest of us all?”

It replied-

                                    “Thou art the fairest, lady Queen.”

Then she was pleased, for she knew the mirror spoke truly.

Little Snow-white, however, grew up, and became prettier and prettier, and when she was seven years old her complexion was as bright as day, and she was fairer than the Queen herself. When the Queen now asked the mirror-

                                    “Oh mirror, mirror on the wall,

                                    Who is the fairest of us all?”

It replied-

                                    “Thou wert the fairest, lady Queen’

                                    Snow- white is the fairest now, I ween.”

This answer so frightened the Queen that she became quite pale with envy. From that hour, whenever she perceived Snow- white, her heart was hardened against her, and she hated the maiden. Her envy and jealousy increased, so that she had no rest day nor night, till at length she said to the Huntsman, “Take the child away into the forest; I will never look upon her again. You must kill her, and bring me her heart and tongue as a token.”

The Huntsman listened and took the maiden away, but when he drew out his knife to kill her, she began to cry, saying, “Ah, dear Huntsman, give me my life! I will run into the wild forest, and never come home again.”

This speech softened the Hunter’s heart, and her beauty so touched him that he had pity on her and thought to himself, “The wild beasts will soon devour you.” Still, he felt as if a weight had been taken from his heart, because her death was not by his hand. Just at that moment a young boar came roaring along to the spot, and as soon as he caught sight of it the Huntsman pursued it, and, killing it, took it’s tongue and heart, and carried them to the Queen for a token of his deed.

But now the poor little Snow-white was left motherless and alone, and overcome with grief; she was bewildered at the sight of so many trees, and knew not which way to turn. Presently she set off running, and ran over stones and through thorns and wild beasts roared as she passed them, but they did her no harm. She ran on till her feet refused to go further, and as it was getting dark, and she saw a little house near, she entered in to rest. In this cottage everything was very small, but more neat and elegant that I can tell you. In the middle stood a little table with a white cloth over it, and seven little plates upon it, each plate having a spoon and a knife and a fork, and there were also seven little mugs. Against a wall were seven little beds ranged in a row, each covered with snow- white sheets. Little Snow- white, being both hungry and thirsty, ate a little morsel of porridge out of each plate, and drank a drop or two of wine out of each glass, for she did not wish to take away the whole share of anyone. After that, because she was so tired, she laid herself down on one bed, but it did not suit; she tried another, but that was too long; a fourth was too short, a fifth too hard, but the seventh was just the thing, and tucking herself up in it, she went to sleep, first commending herself to God.

When it became quite dark the lords of the cottage came home, seven Dwarfs, who dug and delved for ore in the mountains. They first lighted seven little lamps and perceived at once- for they illumined the whole apartment- that somebody had been in it. The first asked, “Who has been eating off my plate?” The third said,

“Who has been picking at my bread?” The fourth said,

“Who has been at my porridge?” The fifth,

“Who has been meddling with my fork?” The sixth grumbled out,

“Who has been cutting with my knife?” The seventh said,

“Who has been drinking out of my glass?” The first, looking round, began again. “Who has been lying in my bed?” he asked, for he saw that the sheets were tumbled. At these words, the others came, and looking at their beds, cried out too, “Someone has been lying in our beds!” But the seventh little man, running up to his, saw Snow- white sleeping in it; so he called his companions, who shouted with wonder and held up their seven lamps, so that the light fell upon the maiden. “Oh heavens! Oh heavens!” said they, “What a beautiful child she is!” And they were so much delighted that they would not awaken her, but left her to repose, and the seventh Dwarf, in whose bed she was, slept with each of his fellows one hour, and so passed the night.

As soon as mourning dawned Snow- white awoke, and was quite frightened when she saw the seven little men; but they were very friendly, and asked her what she was called. “Why have you entered our cottage?” they asked. Then she told them how her step- mother would have had her killed, but the Huntsman had spared her life, and how she had wandered about the whole day, until at last she had found their house. When her tale was finished the Dwarf said, “Will you see after our household- be our cook, make our beds, wash, sew, and knit for us, and keep everything in neat order? If so, we will keep you here, and you shall want for nothing.”

And Snow- white answered, “Yes, with all my heart and will”; and so she remained with them, and kept their house in order. In the mornings the Dwarfs went into the mountains and searched for ore and gold, and in the evenings they came home and found their meals ready for them. During the day the maiden was left alone, and therefore the good Dwarfs warned her and said, “Be careful of your step- mother, who will soon know of your being here; therefore let nobody enter the cottage.”

The Queen, meanwhile, supposing that she had eaten the heart and tongue of her step- daughter, did not think but that she was above all comparison the most beautiful of everyone around. One day she stepped before her mirror, and said-

                                   

                                    “Oh mirror, mirror on the wall,

                                    Who is the fairest of us all?”

And it replied-

                                    “Thou wert the fairest, lady Queen;

                                    Snow- white is fairest now, I ween.

                                    Amid the forest, darkly green,

                                    She lives with Dwarfs- the hills between.”

           

This reply frightened her, for she knew that the mirror always spoke the truth, and she was sure that the Huntsman had deceived her, and that Snow- white was still alive. Now she thought and thought how she should accomplish her purpose, for so long as she was not the fairest in the whole country, jealousy left her no rest. At last a thought struck her, and she dyed her face and clothed herself as a pedlar- woman, so that no one could recognise her. In this disguise she went over the seven hills to the seven Dwarfs, knocked at the door of the hut, and called out, “Fine goods for sale! Beautiful goods for sale!” Snow- white peeped out of the window, and said, “Good day, my good woman. What have you to sell?”

“Fine goods, beautiful goods!” she replied, “Stays of all colours”; and she held up a pair of variegated silks. “I may let in this honest woman,” thought Snow- white; and she unbolted the door and bargained for one pair of stays. “You can’t think, my dear, how it becomes you!” exclaimed the old woman, “Come, let me lace it up for you.” Snow- white suspected nothing, and let her do as she wished, but the old woman laced her up so quickly and tightly that all her breath went, and she fell down like one dead. “Now,” thought the old woman to herself, hastening away, “now am I once more the most beautiful of all!”

Not long after her departure, at eventide, the seven Dwarfs came home, and were much frightened at seeing their dead little maid lying on the ground and neither moving nor breathing, as if she were dead. They raised her up, and when they saw she was laced too tight thy cut the stays in pieces, and presently she began to breathe again, and by little and little she revived. When the Dwarfs now heard what had taken place, they said, “The old pedlar- woman was no other than your wicked step- mother; take more care of yourself, and let no one enter when we are not with you.”

Meanwhile the Queen had reached home, and, going before her mirror, she repeated her usual words-

                                   

“Oh mirror, mirror on the wall,

Who is the fairest of us all?”

And it replied as before-

                                                “Thou wert the fairest, lady Queen;

                                                Snow- white is fairest now, I ween.

                                                Amid the forest, darkly green,

                                                She lives with Dwarfs- the hills between.”

As soon as it had finished, all her blood ran cold, for she was frightened to hear that Snow- white was yet living. “But now,” thought she to herself, “will I contrive something which shall destroy her completely.” Thus saying, she made a poisoned comb, by arts which she understood, and then, disguising herself, she took the form of an old widow. She went over the seven hills to the house of the seven Dwarfs, and, knocking at the door, called out, “Fire wares to sell to-day!” Snow- white peeped out and said, “You must go further, for I dare not let you in.”

“But still you may look,” said the old woman, drawing out her poisoned comb and holding it up. The sight of this pleased the maiden so much that she allowed herself to be persuaded, and opened the door. As soon as she had made a purchase the old woman said, “Now let me for once comb your properly,” and Snow- white consented, but scarcely was the comb drawn through the hair when the poison began to work, and the maiden soon fell down senseless. “You pattern of beauty,” cried the spiteful Queen, “it is now all over with you.” So saying, she departed.

Fortunately, evening soon came, and the seven Dwarfs returned, and as soon as they saw Snow- white lying like dead upon the ground, they suspected the old Queen, and soon discovering the poisoned comb, they immediately drew it out, and the maiden very soon revived and related all that had happened. Then they warned her again against the wicked step- mother, and bade her to open the door to nobody.

Meanwhile, the Queen, on her arrival home, had again consulted her mirror, and received the same answer as twice before. This made her shake with rage and jealousy, and she swore Snow- white should die, if it cost her her own life.

Thereupon she went into an inner secret chamber where no one could enter, and there made an apple of the most deep and subtle poison. Outwardly it looked nice enough, and had rosy cheeks which would make the mouth of everyone who looked at it water; but whoever ate the smallest piece of it would surely die. As soon as the apple was ready, the old Queen dyed her face and clothed herself like a peasant’s wife, and then over the hills to the seven Dwarf’s she made her way. She knocked at the door, and Snow- white stretched out her head and said, “I dare not let anyone enter; the Dwarfs have forbidden me.”

“That is hard for me,” said the old woman, “for I must take back my apples; but there is one which I will give you.”

“No,” answered Snow- white, “no, I dare not take it.”

“What, are you afraid of it?” cried the old woman. “There, see, I will cut the apple in halves; do you eat the red cheeks, and I will eat the core.” (The apple was so artfully made that the red cheeks alone were poisoned.)

Snow- white very much wished for the beautiful apple, and when she saw the woman eating the core she could no longer resist, but, stretching out her hand, took the poisoned part. Scarcely had she placed a piece in her mouth, when she fell down dead upon the ground. Then the Queen, looking at her with glittering eyes, and laughing bitterly, exclaimed, “White as snow, red as blood, black as ebony. This time the Dwarfs cannot reawaken you.”

When she reached home and consulted her mirror-

“Oh mirror, mirror on the wall,

Who is the fairest of us all?”

It answered-

                                                “Thou art the fairest, lady Queen.”

Then her wicked heart was at rest, as peacefully as a wicked heart can rest.

When the little Dwarfs returned home in the evening they found Snow- white lying on the ground, and there appeared to be no life in her body; she seemed to be quite dead. They raised her up, and searched if they could find anything poisonous, unlaced her, and even uncombed her hair, and washed her with water and with wine, but nothing availed- the dear child was really and truly dead. Then they laid her upon a bier, and all seven placed themselves around it and wept and wept for three days without ceasing. Afterwards they would bury her; but she looked still fresh and lifelike, and even her red cheeks had not deserted her, so they said to one another, “We cannot bury her in the cold ground,” and they ordered a case to be made of transparent glass. In this one could view her body on all sides, and the Dwarfs wrote her name with golden letters upon the glass, saying that she was a King’s daughter. Now they placed the glass case upon the ledge of a rock, and one of them always remained by it watching. Even the birds bewailed the loss of Snow- white; fist came an owl, then a raven, and last of all a dove, and sat by her side.

For a long time Snow- white lay peacefully in her case, and changing not, but looked as if she were only asleep, for she was still white as snow, red as blood, and black- haired as ebony. By-and-by it happened that a King’s son was travelling through the forest, and came to the Dwarfs’ house to pass the night. He soon perceived the glass case upon the rock, and the beautiful maiden lying within, and he read also the golden inscription.

When he had examined it, he said to the Dwarfs, “Let me have this case, and I will pay you what you like for it.” But the Dwarfs replied,

“We will not sell it for all the gold in the world.”

“Then give it to me,” said the Prince, “for I cannot live without Snow- white. I will honour and protect her so long as I live.”

When the Dwarfs saw he was so much in earnest they pitied him, and at last gave him the case, and the Prince ordered it to be carried away on the shoulder of one of his attendants. Presently it happened that they stumbled over a rut, and with the shock the piece of poisoned apple which lay in Snow- white’s mouth fell out. Very soon, she opened her eyes, and, raising the lid of the glass case, rose up and asked, “Where am I?”

Full of joy, the Prince answered, “You are safe with me”; and he related to her what she had suffered, and how he would rather have her than any other for his wife; and he asked her to accompany him home to the castle of the King his father. Snow- white consented, and when they arrived there the wedding between them was celebrated as speedily as possible, with all the splendour and magnificence proportionate to the happy event.

By chance the old step- mother of Snow- white was also invited to the wedding, and when she was dressed in all her finery to go, she first stepped in front of her mirror and asked-

“Oh mirror, mirror on the wall,

Who is the fairest of us all?”

and it replied-

                                                “Thou wert the fairest, O lady Queen;

                                                The Prince’s bride is more fair, I ween.”

At those words the old Queen was in a  fury, and was so terribly mortified that she knew nor what to do with herself. At first she resolved not to go to the wedding, but she could not resist the wish for a sight of the young Queen, and as soon as she entered she recognised Snow- white, and was so terrified with rage and astonishment that she remained rooted to the ground. Just then a pair of red- hot iron shoes were brought in with a pair of tongs and set before her, and these she was forced to put on and to dance in till she fell down dead.

But Snow- white and her husband lively happily together, and sometimes paid a visit to the seven Dwarfs who had been so kind to Snow- white.