Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: May 31, 2025
"Then, why did you not bring more?" said Helen angrily. "You must have eaten them on your way back, you wicked girl." "No, dear sister, I have not even tasted them," said Marouckla. "I shook the tree twice. One apple fell each time. Some shepherds would not allow me to shake it again, but told me to return home." "Listen, mother," said Helen. "Give me my cloak.
The girl was delighted and shook the tree. First one apple fell, then another. "That is enough," said Zarè, "hurry home." Thanking the months, she returned joyfully. Helen marveled and the stepmother wondered at seeing the fruit. "Where did you gather them?" asked the stepsister. "There are more on the mountain top," answered Marouckla.
Instantly the snow melted, the earth was covered with verdure, trees were clothed with leaves, birds began to sing, and various flowers blossomed in the forest. It was summer. Under the bushes masses of star-shaped flowers changed into ripening strawberries. Before Marouckla had time to cross herself they covered the glade, making it look like a sea of blood.
But in spite of it all Marouckla grew ever sweeter and more charming. One day in the middle of winter Helen wanted some wood-violets. "Listen," cried she to Marouckla, "you must go up the mountain and find me violets. I want some to put in my gown. They must be fresh and sweet-scented-do you hear?" "But, my dear sister, whoever heard of violets blooming in the snow?" said the poor orphan.
"Men of God, may I warm myself at your fire? The winter cold chills me," said she, drawing near. The great Setchène raised his head. "Why com'st thou here? What dost thou seek?" asked he. "I am come to look for red apples," replied Marouckla. "But this is winter, and not the season for red apples," observed the great Setchène.
His hair and mustache were white as snow, and in his hand he held a wand. At first Marouckla was afraid, but after a while her courage returned, and drawing near, she said: "Men of God, may I warm myself at your fire? I am chilled by the winter cold." The great January raised his head and answered: "What brings thee here, my daughter? What dost thou seek?"
She loved Helen, but hated the poor orphan, because she was far prettier than her own daughter. Marouckla did not think about her good looks, and could not understand why her stepmother should be angry at the sight of her. The hardest work fell to her share; she cleaned out the rooms, cooked, washed, sewed, spun, wove, brought in the hay, milked the cow, and all this without any help.
Helen kept the flowers for herself and her mother; she did not even thank her step-sister for the trouble she had taken. The next day she desired Marouckla to fetch her strawberries. "Run," said she, "and fetch me strawberries from the mountain: they must be very sweet and ripe." "But who ever heard of strawberries ripening in the snow?" exclaimed Marouckla.
Sure it is that without the black thread he would never have recognised her. And though the Magician tried to hide her, the spell was broken; and the two returned rejoicing to their home, where they lived happily ever after. There was once a widow who had two daughters, Helen, her own child by her dead husband, and Marouckla, his daughter by his first wife.
Motionless sat they, and on the highest stone was the great Setchène. "Men of God, may I warm myself at your fire? The winter cold chills me," said she, drawing near. The great Setchène raised his head. "Why com'st thou here? What dost thou seek?" asked he. "I am come to look for red apples," replied Marouckla. "But this is winter, and not the season for red apples," observed the great Setchène.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking