And pretty dwarfs to show the way But when a bad child goes to bed, From left to right she weaves her rings, And then it dreams all through the night Of only ugly, horrid things! Then lions come with glaring eyes, To shed the blood of girls and boys. Then stormy waves rush on to drown, And serpents crawl along the ground. Then wicked children wake and weep, And wish the long black gloom away; But good ones love the dark, and find The night as pleasant as the day. THOMAS HOOD. Once upon a time, there was a proud, selfish woman who had three daughters. The youngest was prettier than her sisters, and they were jealous of her beauty. They made her do all the housework, while they went to parties and balls. The girl washed the dishes and swept the floors. She tended the fire and fed the parrot whose cage hung by the kitchen window. She spent so much time among the ashes and cinders, that her sisters called her Cinderella. Now it happened that the king was to give a ball, in honor of the young prince. Cinderella's mother and sisters were invited. How pleased they were to receive the invitation! They could think of nothing but the fine clothes they intended to wear. They sent for the best dressmaker they could find. The oldest sister chose a pink silk gown. "I shall wear my red satin cloak trimmed with swan's-down," said she. The second sister chose a gown of green velvet, saying, "The green velvet will show my diamonds to advantage." The night of the great ball came at last. Cinderella helped her sisters to dress. "Do you not wish that you were going to the ball?" said one of them. 66 'Yes, indeed!" sighed poor Cinderella. But her sisters only laughed. Cinderella watched them from the kitchen window as they drove away in their fine carriage. Then she sat down by the fire and began to cry. Why are you crying, Cinderella?" said some one gently. There stood her Fairy Godmother. "I wish I could I wish I could " sobbed Cinderella. "You wish that you could go to the prince's ball," said the Fairy Godmother. "Yes," nodded Cinderella. 66 Stop crying and you may go,” said the Fairy Godmother. Run into the garden and bring me the largest pumpkin that you can find." Cinderella could not think how a pumpkin would help her to go, but she obeyed. The Fairy Godmother scooped out the inside of the pumpkin, leaving only the rind. She carried it to the kitchen door. Then she touched the rind with her wand. Instantly there stood a great coach covered with gold. "Where shall we find horses for such a great coach?" cried Cinderella. 66 Bring the mouse trap from the cellar," the Fairy Godmother replied. |