"This is the fault of your wretched sister," the unhappy mother
cried. She ran to beat the poor younger sister, who fled to the
forest to escape the cruel blows. When she was past pursuit, she threw
herself upon the green grass and wept bitterly.
The King's son, returning from the hunt, found her thus, and asked the
cause of her tears.
"My mother has driven me from my home," she told him. She was so
pretty that he fell in love with her at once, and pressed her to tell
him more. She then related to him the whole story, while pearls and
diamonds kept falling from her lips. Enraptured, he took her to the
King, who gave his consent to their immediate marriage.
Meanwhile the ugly and selfish sister had made herself so disagreeable
that even her own mother turned against her. She, too, was driven
forth into the forest, where she died miserable and alone.
* * * * *
ENGLISH STORIES
* * * * *
THE HISTORY OF TOM THUMB
ADAPTED BY ERNEST RHYS
It is said that in the days of the famed Prince Arthur, who was king
of Britain, in the year 516 there lived a great magician, called
Merlin, the most learned and skilful enchanter in the world at that
time.
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