Страница 246 из 626

Then he made the best of his way off, while the nurse laughed and

the baby crowed; and all the court jeered at him for having had

so much trouble for nothing, and said, 'We wish you a very good

morning, and a merry feast, Mr RUMPLESTILTSKIN!'

CLEVER GRETEL

There was once a cook named Gretel, who wore shoes with red

heels, and when she walked out with them on, she turned herself

this way and that, was quite happy and thought: 'You certainly

are a pretty girl!' And when she came home she drank, in her

gladness of heart, a draught of wine, and as wine excites a

desire to eat, she tasted the best of whatever she was cooking

until she was satisfied, and said: 'The cook must know what the

food is like.'