Stories to Read or Tell from Fairy Tales and Folklore
"Who woke me up?" he growled, trying to gain his feet.

"I did, dear father," said the girl meekly. "You would have slept forever had I not pulled the slumber-pin from your grasp. It is very late."

"You are a good, trustworthy daughter," said the giant. "I will get you something pretty."

He went to the tank and commanded the prince to get out of his nice, soft bed.

"You have lain in bed so long, you must work still harder today," he added. "My stables have not been thatched for many years, and I want you to do it today. They cover many acres, but if you finish them before dark I will spare you your head. They must be thatched with feathers, to be put on one at a time, and no two of them must be alike."

The prince was again cast down, but he said that he would do his best."But where shall I find the birds?" he asked after a period of helpless silence. "Where do you suppose? I hope you would not try to find them in the frog pond," was the impatient answer. "Here are two whistles, an old one and a new one. You may take your choice." "I'll take the new one," said the prince, and the giant gave him a whistle that looked as though it had never been used. "Some day you will learn that old things are best," said the giant scornfully. When the giant had gone, the prince blew the whistle until his lips were puckered out of shape, but not a fowl came to his rescue. At last he sat down upon a rock, almost ready to cry. But Yellow Lily came again, lovelier than ever in another yellow gown trimmed with the wings of dragonflies, and with pearls in her glorious hair. "Why do you sit whistling instead of working?" she asked. "Poor prince, you must be hungry. Here is a little table set for two under this big tree. When things worry you, don't give up. The man who keeps his appetite has no cause to despair." So they sat down and ate peacock tongues and frosted cakes and almonds and many other delicacies, and were happier than ever. "But it is growing late, and the stable is still unthatched!" cried the prince, suddenly remembering his task as soon as his appetite was satisfied. "Look behind you," said the girl. The prince, to his utter surprise, saw that the stables were thatched with downy bird feathers, no two of them alike. "You are a wonder," he said, grasping her hands in gratitude. "Not at all," she replied. "How could the birds work for you while you stood there blowing that terrible whistle? Birds would be as good friends to people as dogs are, if people did not frighten them so. But say no more. I hear father drinking at the 
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