the Queen said: “I can tell whether this is my lost child or not. Let me see your left[Pg 49] shoulder; she bears her name on that shoulder if she be our child.” [Pg 49] The Princess bared her shoulder and there the Queen saw a tiny lily which proved she was her child. The King gave a great feast in honor of his daughter’s return, and the Prince and Princess were married; and the peasant danced at the wedding as he promised. [Pg 50] [Pg 50] NARDO AND THE PRINCESS Once there lived a king who had two sons, and, though they were twins, they were as different as if they had been strangers. O Nardo was kind and good, while his brother Stephen was greedy and selfish, never doing any one kindness. One day there came to the King’s gates an old beggar man who asked for a night’s lodging and food. The brothers were standing near and Stephen told the servants to close the gates, that a palace was no place for beggars. “Stop,” said Nardo to the servant; “a palace is just the place for beggars. Brother, we have a plenty and to spare; let the poor man enter.” [Pg 51] [Pg 51] The beggar thanked Nardo and said: “You shall never regret your kindness. Wear this ring, and whenever you wish for something money cannot buy you shall have your wish.” Nardo put the ring in his pocket and forgot all about it until he fell in love with a beautiful princess, and, like all lovers, he was afraid she did not love him. Then he remembered the old beggar man and the ring, and put it on and wished for the love of the beautiful Princess. It happened that Stephen also loved the Princess,
Prev.
Back
Top