Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-01
THREE MOTHERS

Once upon time three little boys were
born to three couples who lived on
the edge of a forest. They were very
poor, but the mothers Of these babies were
as happy as queens. Each thought her
boy the most beautiful and wonderful child
in the world and planned for his future,
as mothers have done since the first baby
came into the world.
One morning when the babies were
three months old, Jean, Marie and Elsa
carried them to the river, where all the
women of the neighborhood did their half
yearly washing. The three boys were laid
In place of safety, while the women rub
bed their clothes on the stones in the
water OF course, they chatted and sang.
for their hearts were light. even II they
had to work hard and money was scarce.
Jean. Marie and Elsa suddenly stopped
in their work. What was that old Mother
Hansen was saying? That a wonderful
fairy had hidden herself in a cave in the
forest and would only show herself or
hold conversation with mothers of young
children? How intently the women listen
ed How soon each resolved that she
would visit this wonderful being and on
this very day. tool Mother Hansen said
this fairy's name was Farewell. and
would give advice to rrall poor mothers
which would make their children remark
able II q
Jean. Marie and Elsa started for home
in advance of the other women. Care
fully fnquiring the way from Mother Han
sen. they started on their quest for Fare
well. Their way was long and the moth
ers almost wished they had never heard
of the fairy 30
Said Jean to Marie: my boy does not
need the help of any. fairy to make him
ramarka hlp ha IS m rt< a al
anyone ever see a child of his age SO
strong and sturdy"
Said Marie to Jean: Nor has mine!
Just look at his golden, curling locksi They
are the color of sunshine itself"
Said Elsa to them both: Nor has mine.
He can already say something that sounds
like father and he's not yet four months
old" -r~
So the women beguiled the time until
they reached the spot where Mother Han
sen had said the fairy dwelt. Hearing
their voices, the fairy came out and in
stantly won their hearts by asking to look
at their little ones.
Pray sit down." she said. Mothers are
always glad of a rest, especially when
yours"
In a few moments Farewell knew why
these mothers had made their way through
the forests dreariness. and made their
hearts glad by saying she would grant
them what they asked. Leaving them for
few moments. she returned with laurel
wreath in her hand. She plucked three
leaves from this and handed one to each
mother. She told them the leaves would
make their sons leaders among men, If
their mothers would place them upon the
baby's brow, heart, or lip. according as
they desired them to be great&
Jean, Marie and Elsa, without consulting
each other, placed the leaf directed by
Farewell. Jeans baby bore the leaf upon
his brow for Jean would be happy in
deed If her baby should receive the great
gift of learning.
Marie placed her leaf upon the smiling.
cooling lips of her boy Beyond all else she
would have him eloquent
Elsa was the quietest and plainest of the
three friends. Usually she was very slow
In making decision. On this occasion.
without the slightest hesitation, she took
placed 1T over her baby's heart. Il shall
be perfectly satisfied, good Farewell" she
said. ''if my boy is good
Time passed on and the three babies
grew into boys and then into fine hand
some men. Jeans son became great stu
dent, studying day and night. His learn
ing became known throughout the whole
kingdom until he was sent to faroff land
to teach in a great university. His poor
mother was left behind to toll In the for
est and was forgotten. as far as care and
tEoughtfulness was concerned.
Maries son became a great lawyer, his
eloquent pleadings winning him fame and
fortune Every great case in the kingdom
was referred to him and the highest hon
OTIS were ShoWered upon nlm lie was sent
on missions to other lands across the sea,
and from all that Marie knew almost for
got that his mother still lived.
Elsa's gentle heart ached for Jean and
Marie. While their wishes were gratiffed.
they were very unhappy. Each worldly
success took them farther from their sons.
Elsa was as happy as they were sad.
Her boy had always had such tender
heart that he had refused to leave the
mother who had been so devoted to him.
AS she grew older, he stayed at home car
that surrounded their cottage. There, in
the house where he had been born, lived
Elsa and her son IN blessed accord. His
mother never regretted her choice. She
realized to the fullest extent the great gift
of Farewell, whom sheI had begged would
make her boy above all Felse good.
nT'
sr > 81