FOR THE CHILDREN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18711, 17 May 1924, Page 22 (Supplement)

FOR THE CHILDREN.

THE PRINCESS AN D TH BEGGAR-MAID.

Once upon a time there lived a very beautiful Princess - named Flora who ; had heaps - and heaps of lovely, dresses—fine horses and carriages and ' boxes ; of rare jewels. : In fact, j she had ; everything she could wish f<;r in the' world, and was so, lovely that people had only to see her .to fall deeply in love, with;her. . , r But Flora, alas ; ! was - very : selfishthought: chiefly of " what • she ■ herself, wanted day by day, and was often very cruel -to her attendants. ' - One day the Princess sat weeping in her splendid rooms, and her father, the King, could not for • a long time discover, what ailed her. . .... >' "Is it something you would like which I could get for .you,'' the " foolish man asked, "if so, you are only to mention it." "No, there is nothing, ' she replied, her tears falling faster, "indeed, I am weeping because, I 'have nothing left to wish for and I am so bored." : , : • The King laughed and tried to cheer her up, but, since she wished for nothing he could give, was obliged to go away ana 1 leave her still weeping. A little later in the day the Princess oathed her eyes in

v "Only one," returned ? her. companion;. "restore the fairy pendant to its rightful owner and recompense herj for the sufferIng you ' brought upon her; then t your beauty shall, return.",The Princess * thanked the fairy, who continued—- ' . • * " "But let this be a lesson "to, you, for I may not be able to help you again."J $And i, then $ she , ; vanished - while flora threw a thick veil over t her face ;; and, night though )it was, ■ ordered her men-ser-vants to take ' lighted torches t and search the'country-side for. the poor little beggar - maid. : " ' - :v " They stayed, out, all \ night and towards morning found' her asleep in'. a wood miles away from the .'Palace.. ... J; At first she was very much; afraid, but when they told her it / was Princess" Flora'> who wanted to see her. the child dried her . eyes and went with them quietly. • ; As they entered the Palace one of the ladies-in-waiting gave back the fairy pend-;. ant to the beggar-maid so that when sne reached the splendid apartments, where the Princess .awaited her, Flora herself, lovelier than ever, greeted her kindly. ■ "I am sorry I was so cruel to you this afternoon," tne Princess began ; "you sec I have been so spoiled that I - did not realise how , selfish I was getting, but now, to make' up t for the pain' .1 _ gave you, I want you to tell me the thing you wish for most in the world, so that I can give it to you." p 1 "