Toads and Diamonds (1)

Toads and Diamonds (1)

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

The eldest one was so much like her mother in the face and temperament that whoever looked upon the daughter saw the mother.

They were both so disagreeable and so proud that there was no living with them.

The youngest one, who was the very picture of her father for courtesy and sweetness of temperament, was also one of the most beautiful girls ever seen in the kingdom.

As poeple naturally love their own likeness, this mother doted on her eldest daughter, and at the same time had a horrible aversion for the youngest oneーshe made her eat in the kitchen and work hard continuously.

(1/8) 

Toads and Diamonds (2)

Toads and Diamonds (2)

Among other things, this poor child was forced twice a day to fetch water a long way from the house, and bring home a pitcher full of it.

One day, as she was at this fountain, there came to her a poor woman, who begged her to let her drink.

" Oh, yes, with all my heart, " said this pretty little girl; and rinsing the pitcher, she took up some water from the clearest place of the fountain, and gave it to her , holding up the pitcher all the while, that she might drink more easily.

The good woman having drunk, said to her: " You are so pretty, my dear,  so good and so mannerly,that I cannot help giving you a gift. "

For this woman was a fairy, who had taken the form of a poor country woman, to see how far the civility and good manners of this pretty girl would go.

(2/8)

Toads and Diamonds (3)

Toads and Diamonds (3)

" I will give you a gift, " continued the Fairy, " that, at every word you speak, there shall come out of your mouth either a flower or a jewel. "

When this pretty girl came home her mother scolded her for staying so long at the fountain.

" I beg your pardon, Mamma, " said the poor girl, " for not making more haste. "

And in speaking these words there came out of her mouth two roses, two pearls and two diamonds.

" well, what is this I see there ? " asked her mother, quite astonished.

" I think I see pearls and diamonds come out of your mouth ! How does this happen, child ? "

(3/8)

Toads and Dismonds (4)

Toads and Dismonds (4)

This was the first time she ever called her child.

The poor girl told everything frankly, noy without infinite numbers of diamonds.

" Truly, " cried the mother.

" I must send my child there. Come here; look wht comes out of your sister's mouth when she speaks.
Would you not be glad, my dear, to have the same gift given to you ?
You have nothing else to do but go and draw water out of the fountain, and when a certain poor woman asks you to let her drink, to give it to her very civilly. "

" It would be a fine sight  indeed, " said this ill-bred girl, " to see me draw water. "

(4/8)

Toads and Diamonds (5)

Toads and Diamonds (5)

" You shall go ! " said the mother ; " this minutes. "

So away she went, but grumbling all the way, taking with her the best silver tankard in the house.

She was no sooner at the fountain than she saw coming out of the wood a lady most gloriously dressed, who came up to her and asked to drink.

This was, you must know, the very Fairy who appeared to her sister, but had now taken the air and dress of a princess, to see how far this girl's rudeness would go.

" Have I come here ?, " replied the @roud, saucy girl, " to serve you with water ? I suppose the silver tankard was brough purely for your ladyship, was it ?  However, you may drink out of it,  if you have a fancy. " 


(5/8)

Toads and Diamonds (6)

Toads and Diamonds (6)

" You are not mannerly, " answered the Fairy, without putting herself in a rage.

" Well, then, since you have so little breeding, and are so disobliging, I give you a gift that at every word you speak there shall come out of your mouth a snake or toad. "

As soon as her mother saw her coming she cried out, " Well,
Daughter ? "

" Well, mother ? " answered the pert girl, throwing out of her mouth two vipers and two toads.  

(6/8)     

Toads and Diamonds '(7)

Toads and Diamonds　'(7)

" Oh. mercy, " cried the mother, " what is this I see ? Oh ! it is that wretch her sister who has brought about all this: but she shall pay for it; " and immediately she ran to beat her.

The poor child fled away from her, and went to hide herself in the forest.

The king's son, then on his return from hunting, met her in the forest, and seeing her so very pretty, asked her what she was doing there alone and why she cried.

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

The king's so, who saw several pearls and diamonds come out of the girl's mouth, desired her to tell him how that happened.

(7/8) 

Toads and Diamonds (8 完)

Toads and Diamonds (8　完)

She told him the whole story.

The King's son fell in love with her,  and, considering that such a gift was worth more than any marriage portion, conducted her to the palace of his father.

And there he married her.

As for her elder sister, she made herself so much hated that her own mother turned her out. 

She have wandered about for a good, while without finding anybody to take her in. 

Oh! miserable wretch that she was.
She went to a corner of the wood, and there died.

(8/8 完)
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