a stream bewailing her wretched
lot, when she suddenly caught sight of herself in the water. Her hair
and part of her face was quite concealed by the ass's head, which was
drawn right over like a hood, and the filthy matted skin covered her
whole body. It was the first time she had seen herself as other people
saw her, and she was filled with shame at the spectacle. Then she threw
off her disguise and jumped into the water, plunging in again and again,
till she shone like ivory. When it was time to go back to the farm, she
was forced to put on the skin which disguised her, and now seemed more
dirty than ever; but, as she did so, she comforted herself with the
thought that to-morrow was a holiday, and that she would be able for a
few hours to forget that she was a farm girl, and be a princess once
more.

So, at break of day, she stamped on the ground, as the fairy had told
her, and instantly the dress like the sky lay across her tiny bed. Her
room was so small that there was no place for the train of her dress to
spread itself out, but she pinned it up carefully when she combed her
beautiful hair and piled it up on the top of her head, as she had always
worn it. When she had done, she was so pleased with herself that she
determined never to let a chance pass of putting on her splendid
clothes, even if she had to wear them in the fields, with no one to
admire her but the sheep and turkeys.

Now the farm was a royal farm, and, one holiday, when 'Donkey Skin' (as
they had nicknamed the princess) had locked the door of her room and
clothed herself in her dress of sunshine, the king's son rode through
the gate, and asked if he might come and rest himself a little after
hunting. Some food and milk were set before him in the garden, and when
he felt rested he got up, and began to explore the house, which was
famous throughout the whole kingdom for its age and beauty. He opened
one door after the other, admiring the old rooms, when he came to a
handle that would not turn. He stooped and peeped through the keyhole to
see what was inside, and was greatly astonished at beholding a beautiful
girl, clad in a dress so dazzling that he could hardly look at it.

The dark gallery seemed darker than ever as he turned away, but he went
back to the kitchen and inquired who slept in the room at the end of the
passage. The scullery maid, they told him, whom everybody laughed at,
and called 'Donkey Skin;' and though he perceived there was s