e King had to go on a warlike expedition to
a far country, and leave his young wife alone at home. Bitter were the
tears she shed, while her husband sought in vain to soothe her with
words of comfort and counsel, warning her, above all things, never to
leave the castle, to hold no intercourse with strangers, to beware of
evil counsellors, and especially to be on her guard against strange
women. And the Queen promised faithfully to obey her royal lord and
master in these four matters.

So when the King set out on his expedition she shut herself up with
her ladies in her own apartments, and spent her time in spinning and
weaving, and in thinking of her royal husband. Often she was very sad
and lonely, and it happened that one day while she was seated at the
window, letting salt tears drop on her work, an old woman, a kind,
homely-looking old body, stepped up to the window, and, leaning upon
her crutch, addressed the Queen in friendly, flattering tones, saying:

'Why are you sad and cast down, fair Queen? You should not mope all
day in your rooms, but should come out into the green garden, and hear
the birds sing with joy among the trees, and see the butterflies
fluttering above the flowers, and hear the bees and insects hum, and
watch the sunbeams chase the dew-drops through the rose-leaves and in
the lily-cups. All the brightness outside would help to drive away
your cares, O Queen.'

[Illustration: The Witch Persuades the Queen to Bathe]

For long the Queen resisted her coaxing words, remembering the promise
she had given the King, her husband; but at last she thought to
herself: After all, what harm would it do if I were to go into the
garden for a short time and enjoy myself among the trees and flowers,
and the singing birds and fluttering butterflies and humming insects,
and look at the dew-drops hiding from the sunbeams in the hearts of
the roses and lilies, and wander about in the sunshine, instead of
remaining all day in this room? For she had no idea that the
kind-looking old woman leaning on her crutch was in reality a wicked
witch, who envied the Queen her good fortune, and was determined to
ruin her. And so, in all ignorance, the Queen followed her out into
the garden and listened to her smooth, flattering words. Now, in the
middle of the garden there was a pond of water, clear as crystal, and
the old woman said to the Queen:

'The day is so warm, and the sun's rays so scorching, that the water
in the po