Page:The sleeping beauty (IA sleepingbeauty00evanrich).pdf/20

 marble steps into the water and began idly to play with some wild rose-petals which had fallen into the water. All of a sudden she heard a croaking voice that said: “O Queen, be cheerful, for the dearest wish of your heart will be granted you.”

“Who is that?” cried the Queen, a little frightened, for she could see nobody.

“Look behind you,” croaked the voice, “and do not be afraid, for I come only to bear you good tidings.”

So the Queen looked behind her, and there was a great frog who looked at her with its big round eyes.

Now the Queen was afraid of frogs, because they are cold and clammy, but she was very polite by nature as well as breeding, so she did not show her dislike, though she could not help shrinking back a little.

“And do you tell me, Master Frog,” said she, “that I shall have the wish of my heart, and do you know what that wish may be?”

“It is to have a little small child of your own,” said the Frog; and the Queen nodded.

“Very well,” the Frog went on, “do you see the green leaves of that almond tree on the branch by the window?”

“I do,” replied the Queen wonderingly.

“Those green leaves will fade,” said the Frog, “and the winter winds will blow them away. Then the branch will be bare, but in spring-time, before the leaves come again, it will be covered with pink blossom, and that blossom you shall show to a baby lying at your breast.”

The Queen gave a cry of joy. A ray of sunlight came through the trees, dazzling her eyes so that she had to close