“But, Grandmother, what a big mouth you have.”

“All the better to eat you up with, my dear,” he said as he sprang at Little Red Riding Hood.

Just at that moment Little Red Riding Hood’s father was passing the cottage and heard her scream.  He rushed in and with his axe chopped off Mr. Wolf’s head.

Everybody was happy that Little Red Riding Hood had escaped the wolf.  Then Little Red Riding Hood’s father carried her home and they lived happily ever after.

THE GOOSE-GIRL

There was once an old Queen who had a very beautiful daughter.  The time came when the maiden was to go into a distant country to be married.  The old Queen packed up everything suitable to a royal outfit.

She also sent a Waiting-woman with her.  When the hour of departure came they bade each other a sorrowful farewell and set out for the bridegroom’s country.

When they had ridden for a time the Princess became very thirsty, and said to the Waiting-woman, “Go down and fetch me some water in my cup from the stream.  I must have something to drink.”

“If you are thirsty,” said the Waiting-woman, “dismount yourself, lie down by the water and drink.  I don’t choose to be your servant.”

Being very thirsty, the Princess dismounted, and knelt by the flowing water.

Now, when she was about to mount her horse again, the Waiting-woman said, “By rights your horse belongs to me; this jade will do for you!”

The poor little Princess was obliged to give way.  Then the Waiting-woman, in a harsh voice, ordered her to take off her royal robes, and to put on her own mean garments.  Finally she forced her to swear that she would not tell a person at the Court what had taken place.  Had she not taken the oath she would have been killed on the spot.

There was great rejoicing when they arrived at the castle.  The Prince hurried towards them, and lifted the Waiting-woman from her horse, thinking she was his bride.  She was led upstairs, but the real Princess had to stay below.

The old King looked out of the window and saw the delicate, pretty little creature standing in the courtyard; so he asked the bride about her companion.

“I picked her up on the way, and brought her with me for company.  Give the girl something to do to keep her from idling.”

The old King said, “I have a little lad who looks after the geese; she may help him.”

The boy was called little Conrad, and the real bride was sent with him to look after the geese.  When they reached the meadow, the Princess sat down on the grass and let down her hair, and when Conrad saw it he was so delighted that he wanted to pluck some out; but she said—­

  “Blow, blow, little breeze,
  And Conrad’s hat seize. 
  Let him join in the chase
  While away it is whirled,
  Till my tresses are curled
  And I rest in my place.”