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The next thing she came to was a little house, and there she saw

an old woman looking out, with such large teeth, that she was

terrified, and turned to run away. But the old woman called after

her, 'What are you afraid of, dear child? Stay with me; if you

will do the work of my house properly for me, I will make you

very happy. You must be very careful, however, to make my bed in

the right way, for I wish you always to shake it thoroughly, so

that the feathers fly about; then they say, down there in the

world, that it is snowing; for I am Mother Holle.' The old woman

spoke so kindly, that the girl summoned up courage and agreed to

enter into her service.

She took care to do everything according to the old woman's

bidding and every time she made the bed she shook it with all her

might, so that the feathers flew about like so many snowflakes.

The old woman was as good as her word: she never spoke angrily to

her, and gave her roast and boiled meats every day.