in the meantime their little sister at home was growing up quickly . she was kind - hearted and of a fair countenance , and she had a gold star right in the middle of her forehead . one day a big washing was going on at the palace , and the girl looking down from her window saw twelve men 's shirts hanging up to dry , and asked her mother : ' who in the world do these shirts belong to ? surely they are far too small for my father ? ' and the queen answered sadly : ' dear child , they belong to your twelve brothers . ' ' but where are my twelve brothers ? ' said the girl . ' i have never even heard of them . ' ' heaven alone knows in what part of the wide world they are wandering , ' replied her mother . then she took the girl and opened the locked - up room ; she showed her the twelve coffins filled with shavings , and with the little pillow laid in each .
a gold star .
what did their little sister have on her forehead ?
what did their little sister have on her forehead ?