ut into the Royal Museum,
where it is still to be seen if no one has stolen it. Now, this is a
true story.

* * * * *

THE SLEEPING BEAUTY

Once upon a time long ago--so long, indeed, that even the very oldest
people now alive could not remember it--there lived a King and Queen
in a beautiful palace, a great white marble palace, with wide halls
and high towers, and a golden roof that flashed in the sun.

And all round the palace, for miles and miles, there were lovely
gardens and pleasure-grounds, with terraces and green lawns, and
ancient trees where the birds would sit and sing all day and all night
long, and more flowers than you could ever think of if you were
to think a whole summer through. There were peacocks and birds of
paradise on the broad lawns, and pretty slender brown deer in the
shady glades, and gold and silver fishes in the ponds and fountains,
and great red and yellow fruits ripened in the orchards.

There was everything there that heart could wish--except just one,
and that was the one thing in all the world that this King and Queen
wanted to make them perfectly happy. For there was no little child to
run and play about the sunny gardens and pick the flowers, and pet the
birds and beasts that wandered there. And this would often make them
very sad.

But at last, after many years, they had their wish, and a little
baby daughter was born to them--a tiny child with a face like a blush
rosebud, eyes like violets, and a little red mouth like the pimpernel
flowers that grow in the cornfields and by the wayside in summer-time.

Now, you can easily think how glad this King and Queen were, and what
great rejoicings were made over all the country.

Bonfires as big as haystacks were kept burning all night, fat oxen
were roasted whole in the market-place of every town, the church-bells
were rung and rung again until the ringers were out of breath and
their arms were aching, and every little child in the kingdom was
given a beautiful present for the baby Princess's sake.

In the palace, of course, all was bustle and hurry to make ready for
the christening-feast; the maids were busy putting flowers all
about the halls and chambers, and sprinkling the shining floors with
sweet-smelling leaves and petals.

For the most important guests invited to this christening were seven
very powerful fairies, and you know, I am sure, how particular fairies
are about what they ea