When the Court
Messenger gave her the Prince's message, she smiled and said she would
come. "The Prince need not play to me on a jews-harp if he does not
want to," she said.
So they packed her clothes in ten trunks, and she rode in a gold
chariot to the palace of the Prince. The doors were opened wide to
greet her, and through them came the sound of the merriest music. The
Princess clasped her hands in happiness.
"_Who_ is playing the jews-harp?" she asked. "I am _so_ fond of one."
Just then the Prince came in. It had been he who was playing. He had
learned how for her pleasure.
"What are you carrying in that basket?" he asked of the little
Princess.
"Some molasses pop-corn balls that I made for you," she said. "And I
will make you some to-morrow, dear Prince."
THE STAR-CHILD
Once upon a time a poor Woodcutter was making his way through a pine
forest. It was winter, and a night of bitter weather. So cold was it
that even the animals and the birds did not know what to make of it.
The little Squirrels who lived inside the tall fir tree kept rubbing
each other's noses to keep warm, and the Rabbits curled themselves up
in their holes and did not even look out of doors.
And as the Woodcutter pressed on toward home, bewailing his lot, there
fell from heaven a very bright and beautiful star.
Pages:
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35