Page:Tales and Legends from the Land of the Tzar.djvu/30

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lived once a peasant with his wife and three daughters. Two of these girls were not particularly beautiful, while the third was sweetly pretty. However, as she happened to be a very good girl, as well as simple in her tastes, she was nicknamed Simpleton, and all who knew her called her by that name, though she was in reality far from being one. Her sisters thought of nothing but dress and jewellery: the consequence was that they did not agree with their younger sister. They teased her, mimicked her, and made her do all the hard work. Yet Simpleton never said a word of complaint, but was ready to do anything. She fed the cows and the poultry; if any one asked her to bring anything she brought it in a moment; in fact, she was a most obliging young person.

One day the peasant had to go to a big fair to sell hay; so he asked his two eldest daughters what he should bring them.

"Bring me some red fustian to make myself a sarafan," said the eldest.

"Buy me some yards of nankeen to make myself a dress," said the second.