The morning call., 1890-10-19
PRINCESS ROSA
AND THE DWARFS.
A FAIRY TALE FOR THE LITTLE ONES.

FAIRY TALE FOR THE LITTLE ONES.
In stately old castle protected by strong
walls and surrounded by large forest of
giant oaks, there lived one time queen
with her two children-a boy and girl.
The young Prince Henry was brave, hand
some youth whom everybody loved, but his
sister, the Princess Rosa, was so beautiful
that people came from all parts of the king
dom to get sight of the lovely maiden.
The Queen loved her daughter with such
devotion that she could not refuse her any
request, and thus the Princess grew to be a
wayward, disobedient child. and source of
great annoyance to her teachers, because she
was not studi0us like her brother.
The mother was greatly distressed to see
her beautiful daughter grow up in igno-
rance but she knew not how to prevent it.
Finally she decided 10 take the advice of the
old witch of the desert, who was famed
throughout tile land for her wisdom But
to enter the witch's castle was no easy
task, for the gate was guarded by two fierce
lions which never slept. and which could
tear in pieces any one attempting to pass
them. Fortunately, the Queen knew that
the rage of the lions could be subdued by
feeding them honey cakes, and providing
herself with these she set out on foot and
alone to the desert. When the Queen had
walked many miles she was so overcome
with fatigue that she stopped under large
tree to rest. and there fell into deep sleep.
She was suddenly aroused by great
noise, as of thunder, and TO her diSmay she
saw the witch's lions rushing toward her.
She quickly reached for the honey cakes,
but they were gone, and the basket was
empty. Hearing the rustline In the branches
of the Tree, she looked up and saw peering
through the leaves the ugly, distorted face
of a dwarf, who said, in sharp, piercing
voice:
Queen, you are in great danger. How
eau you hope to escape the lions when you
have no sword Y'
MY honey-cakes would have tanned the
furious beasts" said the Queen, but have
lost them. Oh, save me from this terrible
DEATH"
"On one condition shall I save you." re-
piled the dwarf; when your daughter,
Rosa, is 16 years old you must give her to
me for ten years"
The Queen shuddered at the thought of
giving her beautiful daughter to this
hideous creature; but the lions came nearer
and nearer. and in her terror the Queen
cried: Save me and l shall give you my
daughter"
She then fell into death-like swocn, and
when she revived she was in her own room
in the castle. And now the Queen fell very
i'll, and, although the most learned physi-
clans were called, none could give relief to
the suffering one. Then the Princess Rosa,
who dearly loved her mother. was sore dis
tressed, and thought: "If my mother could
only be restored to health, never again
should trouble her with my willful ways,
l shall go the old witch in the desert She
has healed others. and surely she will not
turn me away"
The Princess then prepared the honey
cakes for the lions and began her dangerous
journey. it happened that on the way to
the desert stood an orange tree loaded with
large, ripe oranges. The Princess placed
her basket on the ground and began to pluck
the luscious fruit. But at the same instant
the roar of the lions sounded with such force
that the earth trembled. Rosa FASTENED to
her basket only to find it empty, and the
honey cakes were nowhere to be seen. Then
the Princess wrung her hands in des pair
and cried out with terror. In moment the
dwarf stood before her. and the lions be-
came quiet and gentle and approached 10
nearer.
''Why do you cry so lond, and for what
reason do you come here?' asked the dwarf.
Rosa told him that she was on her way to
the old witch OF the desert to ask the cause
of her mothers illness.
Then you need GO no further" said the
dwarf; "the Queen is only grieving because
she has promised thai when you are IL you
shall spend ten years with me-"
Il cannot believe that" said the Princess;
''for it is not possible that my mother should
promise me to so ugly a creature as you"
I" / have spoken the TRUTH" said the
dwarf; .'and unless you also give your con-
sent | shall leave you to be devoured by the
lions"
And again the furious beasts began to
roar in such frightful manner that the
Princess cried: "Save me and l shall do as
you DESIRE"
Immediately both the dwarf and the lions
disappeared, and the Princess sadly re-
turned home. Rosa went at once to her
mother and related her adventures with the
dwarf.
"And now, dear mother" she said, you
must grieve no more for l have thought of
plan to escape this dreadful fate. shall
go to distant lands. beyond the power Of
this wicked dwarf, and there shall remain
for the ten years"
From that time the Queen began to i'm
prove, and when she had entirely recovered
the Princess made her preparations for the
long journey. At last the day came when
Rosa should say goodbye to her home and
friends. The royal coach stood at the door,
and just as the Princess was about to enter
four peacocks appeared, drawing o small
red chariot, in which SAT the witch OF the
desert. At the same moment the dwarf
himself, riding on huge yellow Wildcat