nger one, which was the
servant, one beating and three meals; and to the youngest one, which
was the maiden, no beating and three meals; for he could not find it
in his heart to let the maiden be beaten.

Then he went back into the castle, and he found there all that he
wanted. After a couple of days the miller came and said that he must
tell him that the old donkey which was to have three beatings and only
one meal had died. 'The two others,' he added, 'are certainly not
dead, and get their three meals every day, but they are so sad that
they cannot last much longer.'

Then the Hunter took pity on them, laid aside his anger, and told the
miller to drive them back again. And when they came he gave them some
of the good cabbage to eat, so that they became human again. Then the
beautiful maiden fell on her knees before him, saying, 'Oh, my
dearest, forgive me the ill I have done you! My mother compelled me to
do it; it was against my will, for I love you dearly. Your
wishing-cloak is hanging in a cupboard, and as for the bird-heart I
will make a drink and give it back to you.'

But he changed his mind, and said, 'Keep it; it makes no difference,
for I will take you to be my own dear true wife.'

And the wedding was celebrated, and they lived happy together till
death.

_THE LITTLE GREEN FROG_[8]

In a part of the world whose name I forget lived once upon a time two
kings, called Peridor and Diamantino. They were cousins as well as
neighbours, and both were under the protection of the fairies; though
it is only fair to say that the fairies did not love them half so well
as their wives did.

Now it often happens that as princes can generally manage to get their
own way it is harder for them to be good than it is for common people.
So it was with Peridor and Diamantino; but of the two, the fairies
declared that Diamantino was much the worst; indeed, he behaved so
badly to his wife Aglantino, that the fairies would not allow him to
live any longer; and he died, leaving behind him a little daughter. As
she was an only child, of course this little girl was the heiress of
the kingdom, but, being still only a baby, her mother, the widow of
Diamantino, was proclaimed regent. The Queen-dowager was wise and
good, and tried her best to make her people happy. The only thing she
had to vex her was the absence of her daughter; for the fairies, for
reasons of their own, determined to bring up the little Princess
Serpent