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THE FAIRY'S TWO GIFTS. |
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Heated as as he became at this thought, he yet ran home, for he wanted to sit alone in his chamber, and think of something great for his last wish. But when he opened the room door there sat his wife on the saddle, screaming and lamenting that she was fixed, and could not get down.
" Make yourself quite happy," he said. " I can wish for all the riches in the world to be ours ; and my wish will be accomplished if you will only remain sitting there."
"But," she replied, angrily, "you stupid head, what would be the use of all the riches in the world to me if I am obliged to sit always on this saddle ? No, no, you wished me here, and now you must wish me off again."
He was obliged, therefore, much against his will, to utter as his third wish that his wife might be set free, and able to alight from the saddle, and the wish was immediately granted.
The rich and selfish man had, therefore, no other result from his three wishes than anger, vexation, trouble, hard words from his wife, and the loss of his horse. The poor man, who was charitable and kind to others, had gained happiness and contentment for the rest of his days. |
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A merchant once, who had three daughters, was obliged to leave them to go on a long journey. Before he started he asked each of them what he should bring them as presents. The eldest asked for diamonds, the second for pearls, but the youngest said—
" Dear father, if you would bring me a little skylark, I should like it better than anything else."
"If I can catch one you shall have it," he replied. Then he wished them good-bye, kissed them alPthree, and left them.
A long time passed, and the father of the maidens was on his way home. He had the pearls and the diamonds for his two elder daughters, but he had not yet found a lark for the youngest although he had searched and enquired everywhere on the way. This made him very unhappy, for she was his favourite child.
On his way home, however, he had to pass through a wood, in |
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