WITCH AND THE YELLOW FLOWER

Taranaki Daily News, 7 December 1929, Page 24 (Supplement)

WITCH AND THE YELLOW FLOWER

Once upon a time, a lovely princess was imprisoned in a mountain by a witch. She lived there for years, and one day a hunter saw her step out of the mountain looking -o lovely that he told her he would rescue her.

“Alas! you cannot step within the enchanted circle,” replied the princess, “But look at me well, and come again to-morrow to be tried by the witch’s test. If you can distinguish me from the witch I am saved.”

The hunter’ was very glad, for he was

sure he would never forget the princess. But when he returned the next day, he beheld two lovely maidens 'who looked exactly alike. He looked and looked, knowing that one was the princess, and he understood now why she had never been rescued. The witch was so clever that she could transform herself into a second princess so that there was no outward difference between them. Full of sorrow, the hunter turned away, for he could not distinguish the princess from the witch. Then his, eyes fell upon a yellow flower growing upon the mountain side. Quickly he gathered it and offered it to one of the lovely maidens.

“No, thank you,” she said, shaking her head.

“The other is the princess!” cried the hunter. And then, before his eyes, the maiden to whom he had offered the flower changed into a hideous witch. The hunter grasped the princess by the hand, and they flew away.

“How did you know me?” panted the princess. “I remembered that neither witches nor fairies like yellow flowers,” laughed the hunter.

“Why?” asked the princess. “Nobody has ever been able to find out!” replied the hunter.

Evon to-day, no witch or fairy will go near a yellow flower, though no one knows why!

w.ith a jaunty ribbon bow to finish off, will complete your pretty gift. ' ■ ■ Wendy’s Dressmaker.