Who are you. I am your betrothed bride, but because I feared lest the people should mock me when they saw me out of doors, Icommanded the scullery-maid to dress herself in my clothes, and to go to church instead of me. Where is the girl, said he I want to see her, go and bring her here. She went out and told the servants that the scullery-maid was an impostor, and that they must take her out into the court-yard and strike off her head. The servants laid hold of maid maleen and wanted to drag her out, but she screamed so loudly for help, that the king's son heard her voice, hurried out of his chamber and ordered them to set the maiden free instantly. Lights were brought, and then he saw on her neck the gold chain which he had given her at the church-door. You are the true bride, said he, who went with me to church, come with me now to my room. When they were both alone, he said, on the way to the church you did name maid maleen, who was my betrothed bride. If I could believe it possible, I should think she was standing before me - you are like her in every respect. She answered, I am maid maleen, who for your sake was imprisoned seven years in the darkness, who suffered hunger and thirst, and has lived so long in want and poverty. Today, however, the sun is shining on me once more. I was married to you in the church, and I am your lawful wife. Then they kissed each other, and were happy all the days of their lives. The false bride was rewarded for what she had done by having her head cut off.
The tower in which maid maleen had been imprisoned remained standing for a long time, and when the children passed by it they sang, king, klang, gloria.
Who sits within this tower.
A king's daughter, she sits within, a sight of her I cannot win, the wall it will not break, the stone cannot be pierced.
Little Hans, with your coat so gay, follow me, follow me, fast as you may.
There was once on a time a mother who had three daughters, the eldest of whom was rude and wicked, the second much better, although she had her faults, but the youngest was a pious, good child. The mother, however, was so strange, that it was just the eldest daughter whom she most loved, and she could not bear the youngest. On this account, she often sent the poor girl out into the great forest in order to get rid of her, for she thought she would lose herself and never come back again. But the guardian-angel which every good child has, did not forsake her, but always brought her into the right path again. Once, however, the guardian-angel behaved as if he were not there, and the child could not find her way out of the forest again.
She walked on constantly until evening came, and then she saw a tiny light burning in the distance, ran up to it at once, and came to a little hut. She knocked, the door opened, and she came to a second door, where she knocked again. An old man, who had a snow-white beard and looked venerable, opened it for her. And he was no other than St. Joseph. He said quite kindly, come, dear child, seat yourself on my little chair by the fire, and warm yourself. I will fetch you clear water if you are thirsty. But here in the forest, I have nothing for you to eat but a couple of little roots, which you must first scrape and boil.
St. Joseph gave her the roots. The girl scraped them clean, then she brought a piece of pancake and the bread that her mother had given her to take with her, mixed all together in a pan, and cooked herself a thick soup. When it was ready, St. Joseph said, I am so hungry, give me some of your food. The child was quite willing, and gave him more than she kept for herself, but God's blessing was with her, so that she was satisfied. When they had eaten, St. Joseph said, now we will go to bed. I have, however, only one bed, lay your self in it. I will lie on the ground on the straw. No, answered she, stay in your own bed, the straw is soft enough for me. But St. Joseph took the child in his arms, and carried her into the little bed, and there she said her prayers, and fell asleep. Next morning when she awoke, she wanted to say good morning to St. Joseph, but she did not see him.
Then she got up and looked for him, but could not find him anywhere. At last she perceived, behind the door, a bag with money so heavy that she could just carry it, and on it was written that it was for the child who had slept there that night.
On this she took the bag, bounded away with it, and got safely to her mother, and as she gave her mother all the money, she could not help being satisfied with her.
The next day, the second child also took a fancy to go into the forest. Her mother gave her a much larger piece of pancake and bread. It happened with her just as with the first child.
In the evening she came to St. Joseph's little hut, who gave her roots for a thick soup. When it was ready, he likewise said to her, I am so hungry, give me some of your food. Then the child said, you may have your share. Afterwards, when St.
Joseph offered her his bed and wanted to lie on the straw, she replied, no, lie down in the bed, there is plenty of room for both of us. St. Joseph took her in his arms and put her in the bed, and laid himself on the straw.
In the morning when the child awoke and looked for St. Joseph, he had vanished, but behind the door she found a little sack of money that was about as long as a hand, and on it was written that it was for the child who had slept there last night. So she took the little bag and ran home with it, and took it to her mother, but she secretly kept two pieces for herself.
