Russian Tales

THE TALE OF THE SILVER SAUCER AND THE TRANSPARENT APPLE.

There was once an old peasant who was a merchant. Every year he took things to sell at the big fair of Nijni Novgorod.

This merchant had three daughters. They were all quite fair, but one of them was as pretty as a picture. And she was the best of them too. The others gave all the hard work to her, while they did nothing but look at themselves in the mirror and complain about what they had to eat. They called the pretty one “Little Stupid,” because she was so good and did all their work for them. When the time came round for the merchant to pack up and go to the big fair he called his daughters, and said, “Little pigeons,” what would you like me to bring you from the fair?”

The eldest said, “I’d like a necklace, but it must be an expensive one.”

The second one said, “I want a new dress with gold hems.”

But the youngest, the good one, Little Stupid, said nothing at all.

“Now little one,” said her father, “what is it you want? I must bring something for you too.”

read more ...