When the younger gives an old woman a drink of water she is rewarded with roses and diamonds falling from her mouth. When the elder daughter goes to the spring to seek her own fortune from the fairy, her rudeness is countered with vipers and toads falling from her mouth. The witch who casts this spell was simply slighted in the market by Jacob, thus beginning Jacob's quest. All nations have a rich heritage of myths and legends. These stories were told not only to separate right from wrong, but to prepare children for the vagaries of life and the fact of death.
Greek legends contain many unforgettably wicked females.
The Lamia was part woman, part animal who lured children to suck their blood. One of Perseus' tasks to prove his manhood, was the slaying of Medusa. The Medusa was the most terrible of all the gorgons, armed with long curved talons and fangs more deadly than those of the fiercest wolf, she had a mane of venomous serpents. Anyone who looked at her face was turned instantly to stone. Perseus used his shield as a mirror to avoid direct eye contact with the Medusa, and thus was able to approach and kill her without being turned to stone.