Page:Russian Fairy Book (N. H. Dole).djvu/41



NCE upon a time there lived an old man and his old wife, and they had three daughters. The oldest and the next oldest were gay girls, but the youngest was occupied only with the housework, and yet she was so beautiful that no tongue could describe or pen depict her. When she walked along the street every eye was fastened upon her; all the other girls were not to be compared with her.

One day the old man was getting ready to go to town to attend the fair, and he asked his daughters what he should buy for them.

The eldest said: "Buy me a coat."

And the next oldest said the same. "But what shall I get for you, my dear little daughter?" asked the old man of the youngest.

"Dear papa, buy me a ruby-red flower."

The old man began to laugh at his youngest daughter. "Well now, what do you want a ruby-red flower for, you stupid little girl? What good