The Goose-GirlOnce upon a time an old queen, whose husband had been dead for
many years, had a beautiful daughter. When she grew up she
was betrothed to a prince who lived a great way off. Now,
when the time drew near for her to be married and to depart into a
foreign kingdom, her old mother gave her much costly baggage, and
many ornaments, gold and silver, trinkets and knicknacks, and, in
fact, everything that belonged to a royal trousseau, for she loved
her daughter very dearly. She gave her a waiting-maid also,
who was to ride with her and hand her over to the bridegroom, and
she provided each of them with a horse for the journey. Now
the Princess’s horse was called Falada, and could speak.
When the hour for departure drew near the old mother went to her
bedroom, and tak
