Page:Little Ellie and Other Tales (1850).djvu/16

Rh she went to the old witch, and said to her: “I would give anything to have a nice little child of my own: do but tell me how to accomplish my wish !”

“Oh! we’ll soon manage that!” replied the old witch. “Look ye here at this barley-corn! It is not like those that grow in the fields, or what the fowls are fed with. This you must plant in a flower-pot, and then wait and see what will happen.”

“A thousand thanks!” said the other, putting some silver in the witch’s hand. She then went home and planted the barley-corn as the old woman had told her. A beautiful large flower soon shot up out of the flower-pot, but its leaves were all closed like buds that were soon to open.

“What a beautiful flower!” said the wife, at the same time kissing the red and yellow leaves; but scarcely had she pressed her lips on the flower, when there was a loud report, and the calix opened. She now saw that it was a real tulip, and in the middle of the cup sat, on the still green seed-stalk, a charming little maiden, so delicate and