brave Henry," said the fairy. "The Giant's
thistle will obtain for you all that is necessary. The Wolf's staff will
transport you where you wish. The Cat's claw will preserve your health
and your youth and also that of your dear mother. Adieu, Henry! Be happy
and never forget that virtue and filial love are always recompensed."

Henry threw himself on his knees before the fairy who gave him her hand
to kiss, smiled upon him and disappeared.

Henry's mother had a great desire to arise from her bed and admire her
new house, her garden, her woods and her meadow. But, alas! she had no
dress. During her first illness she had made Henry sell all that she
possessed, as they were suffering for bread.

"Alas! alas! my child, I cannot leave my bed. I have neither dresses nor
shoes."

"You shall have all those things, dear mother," exclaimed Henry.

Drawing his thistle from his pocket, he smelled it while he wished for
dresses, linen, shoes for his mother and himself and also for linen for
the house. At the same moment the presses were filled with linen, his
mother was dressed in a good and beautiful robe of merino and Henry
completely clothed in blue cloth, with good, substantial shoes. They
both uttered a cry of joy. His mother sprang from her bed to run through
the house with Henry. Nothing was wanting. Everywhere the furniture was
good and comfortable. The kitchen was filled with pots and kettles; but
there was nothing in them.

Henry again put his thistle to his nose and desired to have a good
dinner served up.

A table soon appeared, with good smoking soup, a splendid leg of lamb, a
roasted pullet and good salad. They took seats at the table with the
appetite of those who had not eaten for three years. The soup was soon
swallowed, the leg of lamb entirely eaten, then the pullet, then the
salad.

When their hunger was thus appeased, the mother, aided by Henry, took
off the cloth, washed and arranged all the dishes and then put the
kitchen in perfect order. They then made up their beds with the sheets
they found in the presses and went happily to bed, thanking God and the
good fairy Bienfaisante. The mother also gave grateful thanks for her
dear son Henry.

They lived thus most happily, they wanted nothing--the thistle provided
everything. They did not grow old or sick--the claw cured every ill.
They never used the staff, as they were too happy at home ever to desire
to leave it.

Henry asked of his thistle only t