When Hans reached home, he showed his wife the blue flowers and the seeds that had been given him by the queen. "Wonderful crystals and precious stones hang from the walls and ceiling of the cave, but the queen is more beautiful than all !" exclaimed Hans. 66 Why did you not choose some of the diamonds and gold?' cried his wife, and she scolded Hans roundly, because he had taken only flowers and seeds. Hans made no reply, but he went to the fields and plowed the ground. Then he sowed carefully the seeds that the queen had given him. The weeks passed by. Tiny green leaves began to show above the ground. The plants grew taller and taller, and then the blue flowers began to appear. The flowers were so beautiful that even the angry wife was pleased. She had never seen anything like them. Hans watched his fields day and night. One moonlight night, he saw the lovely queen of the Blue Grotto walking about among the flowers, with her maidens. to be guarding the blossoms. They seemed At last the flowers had withered, and the seeds were ripe. Then the queen of the Blue Grotto appeared at the cottage door. The queen of the Blue Grotto said, "I am Queen Hulda. I have come to teach you how to spin and weave." "The blue flowers that your husband chose were the wonderful flax," added the queen. "I love it very much." Queen Hulda taught Hans and his wife how to spin and weave linen cloth. Many people bought the linen and the flax seeds, so that Hans and his wife became very rich. Every year Queen Hulda and her maidens watched over the fields. Hans was very happy, because he had chosen the blue flowers of the wonderful flax. ALADDIN'S LAMP Oh, whither away, ye children dear! The trees bend low with a wondrous glow, Diamonds and rubies the fruit, and lo, Gather the gems, for you they grow. So hither hie, ye children dear! Welcome prince and princess gay, Then hasten all, ye children dear! No giant or genie need cause you alarm, Treasures they'll give, and keep away harm, For ALADDIN'S LAMP is the hidden charm. |