Beautiful Vassilissa (4)

Beautiful Vassilissa 　(4)

One evening, the woman ordered all three daughters to do some work.

One was to make lace, one was to knit stockings, and Vassilissa was to spin.

Each of them had a certain amount to do before going to bed.

The woman then put out all the light in the house, leaving only one candle burning for the girls.
Then she went to bed.

The young girls started their work by this poor light.

After a while the candle began to flicker.

One of sisters took a snuffer and pretended that she was going to trim the wick; instead she put the candle out on purpose.

" What are we going to do ? " the girls cried.

" There are no more matches to light the candle and our work is not finished. Someone will have to go to the old witch in the forest to ask for light. "

" I have enough light from my needles, so I won't go, " said the one who was making lace.

" Neither will I, " said the one who was knitting.
" I have enough light from my needles too. "

" You will have to go to find a light, " they cried to Vassilissa.
" Go to the witch. "

Then they pushed Vassilissa out of her chair and told her to go.

(4/17)