THE SILVER NUT

Evening Star, Issue 21992, 30 March 1935, Page 5

THE SILVER NUT

A GOOD-NIGHT TALE Once upon a time, on the edge of a great and lonely forest, there stood a poor cottage, where dwelt a woodcutter and his wife. With them lived a beautiful maiden called Blue-eyes, whom they had found when quite a baby under a tree in the As ho one claimed her, the woodcutter kept her, and treated her as ms own child, and she grew up so lovely and obedient that he rejoiced to have her with him; but, unfortunately, his wife was very jealous of Blue-eyes, whose sweet and generous nature made every single creature in the forest love her. The wood-cutter’s wife grew and more angry when she found the maiden gathering all the spare f°od she could find to give to her friends in the forest. . One day, to Blue-eyes s dismay, just as she was slipping out with some crusts in her apron, the wood-cutter s wife called sharply: “ I forbid you to take one crumb out of the house ! We nothing to spare with three to keep! ’ The maiden wept bitterly, but was comforted by the wood-cutter, who showed her how to dig up roots and where to find all the best nuts. “Now I am happy indeed! she cried joyfully, “ for I shall be able to feed all the shy wild creatures I meet whilst roaming through the forest. “That you may do, and welcome, said the vood-cutter gravely, " but do not wander too far from home, lest you be lost, like the King’s son who has disappeared from the palace. ’Tis said he offended an old wizard woman; but no one knows what has become of him, and half the kingdom is offered as a reward for his recovery.” “Poor Prince!” exclaimed Blueeyes pityingly. , , It chanced one day, as she ventured forth as usual, she found in the hollow of a great tree a large hoard of nuts.

By the side of them sat a .squirrel, but, to Blue-eyes’s surprise, tears were running down his cheeks so fast and furiously that two pools were formed at the foot of the tree. “ Are you sad because I have found your nutsP” she asked timidly. “ No,” cried the squirrel, still weeping. “ I weep because I can find food in plenty, but not the silver nut, which. I must have, though why, I know not, for I cannot remember anything.” So saying, he covered his face with hia paws and sobbed more violently than, ever. . “Do not grieve, dear squirrel, said Blue-eyes gently, “ and I will help you all I can to find the nut.” Many times she met the squirrel, and they became quite friendly, nut although she tried to comfort him, as she could not find the nut, he remained as sad as ever. Now it chanced one day, when the wood-cutter’s wife saw Blue-eyes about to run into the forest, she called her hack, and said sourly: “ Since you love the forest so much, you may eat your dinner there. Take this, and do not return any more!” And she gave her a crust. Frightened at her angry looks. Blueeyes took the bread and sped through the great forest, crying bitterly. Presently, she was just about to eat the crust when a voice said piteously:! “I am hungry! Pray give me some of your bread.” Looking up, Blue-eyes saw a poor, starved old woman. “Of course I will!” exclaimed the maiden kindly, and watched the old woman as she greedily devoured the crust. As soon as the last crumb was gone she seized Blue-eyes’s hand and said quickly: “ I am a wizard-woman, and for helping me you shall have your wish.” The next moment she had vanished, and in the maiden’s hand was • silver nut. , ... “ Why, this must be the nut the poor little squirrel has lost.” cried Blue-eyes. “ I’ll go and find him.” The squirrel was still very sad when Blue-eyes found him, but directly she handed him the nut he gave a squeak of joy, put it between his teeth, and cracked it. Thera was a big bang and a cloud of smoke, which, as it cleared away,, showed a handsome prince standing where the squirrel had sat. “ I am the King’s son.” he explained. “ I remember all now. Because I away the silver nut which the wizardwoman presented to me on my coming of age, she changed me into a squirrel. But now, through your kindness, dear Blue-eyes, the spell is broken. I lova yon, and want you for my bride. “ But 1 am only a poor maiden, ■ objected Blue-eyes. “Nay!” cried a voice, and, turning round, they saw the wizard-woman, who smiled at the maiden. “ You are a princess,” she said. “ left by a careless nurse in this great forest. You would have perished hut for the wood-cutter. Though scorned by his wife you are sweet and good, and worthy to marry the prince.” . Later, the wedding took place with great , pomp, and, the wizard-woman remaining their friend, Blue-eyes and the prince lived happily ever afterwards.