Page:Tales and Legends from the Land of the Tzar.djvu/116

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upon a time there lived a rich countess, who had two beautiful children, a boy and a little girl. The boy was called Daniel Nathaniel, and the girl was named Tania.

Well, one day there came to the noble mansion an old fairy, who asked to see the countess. The countess, being very fond of fairies, received the old witch warmly, and asked her what she wanted.

"Dear countess," began the fairy, "I have come from a distance on purpose to bring you a diamond ring, which I want you, before you die, to give to your son; as long as he wears this ring on his finger he will be wealthy and happy all the days of his life. But this is not all. I have something of greater importance to say about the ring, which is that he must on no account marry any one unless he can find a girl whose finger the ring will fit; if he should disobey me, then, bad luck attend him!"

So saying, the fairy disappeared without leaving the room.

The countess was so delighted that she became ill and soon died of joy, not forgetting, however, to give her son the ring and to tell him all the fairy had told her.

Years passed on, and the son grew up to be a wonder-