The Washington times., 1913-09-12
For The Times Children
Just Before It's Bedtime
THE FAIRY FIDDLE.

once, called harsh voice
4 from the door Of little hut
that stood in a meadow on
the edge of forest. And thin girl,
who was bending over a wash tub, came
running up out of breath.
"I want you to take this basket Of
laundry to the village at once" contin-
ued the woman. Hurry. 1t is growing
dark and about to rain. do not wish
the Things to get et.'
So Greta wrapped'a shawl about her
head, took the basket, and set out down
the mossy path through the woods. She
was a pale, sick-looking child. for, her
parents being dead. she had been left to
distant relation, who gave her hard
work and little to eat. But Greta bore
the scoldings patiently and tried TO
make the best of her life as long as it
was the only thing she could do.
After she had left the woods she
passed along by the grounds of the
Kings palace. How beautiful they were
with their long walks, beneath huge
trees. the wide, green lawns, with foun-
tains and beds of crimson plants. The
gis, leaned against the fence and gazed
longingly within. Under the shade of a
which lay a lad clothed in silk and lace.
About him stood guards and servants.
but the bo looked miserable and Ill. All
around were scattered toys. Of every de-
scription, but he lay still with frown
upon his face Two of the soldiers walk
ed near the fence and the child heard
them talking.
1T is such a pity" said one, that
young prince should throw his life away
in sadness-he has never been seen to
smile, and fortune-teller predicted at
his birth that he would never be well
until he laughed"
We'll, does not he ever laugh?" asked
the second soldier
No Since his birth he has moped
about this way, and nothing can cause
him to smile. The King has offered
10000 pieces of gold to anyone who VIII
make the prince laughter that would
restore his health. But no one has ever
succeeded
Greta took UP her basket and ran fast
to the village, as 1t was beginning TO
rain But the water came down SO
heavily that she sought shelter in a
cave by the side of the road. And as
she rested, she fell asleep
When she woke it was dark, but a
ray Of moonlight crept into the hole, and
bv it she could see strange creatures
fitting before her. They were fern
fairies, all green. with yellow caps and
yellow shoes, and as they swayed to
and fro in the light the girl noticed that
they were keeping time to an odd sort
of music 1t came from tiny fiddler.
who sat over in a dark corner, playing
on the strangest instrument she ever
saw.
1t was the shell of turtle across
which were strung tiny wires of gold,
and around the sides were pearls Of
pink and purple. The music 1t male
was soft, vet loud enough to fill the
cave, and as soon as the girl listened
intently. she was filled with wild &C.
sire 70 dance.
This is the fairy cave | have come
into" she said to herself "And / must
be careful. II listen to the fairy fiddle
7 will dance and friShten them away,
for BY that magic music all are obliged
to caper around"
She sat still and waited. After while
the music stopped. the fairies fitted
away in the moonlight and the tiny fid-
dler hung up his instrument on a nail
in dark corner. But hardly had he
gone when it fell and cracked a bit
from its rim.
Il will take it home and mend 1t and
bring it back tomorrow said kind
Greta, hiding 1t in her apron. Then che
ran to the town, delivered the clothes |
and vas soon home again. Early the
next morning she mended the fiddle and |
set il out in the sun to dry. then drove |
up all the pigs. cows and chickens into |
the barnyard to be counted that after
noon. After dinner she saw "A great |
procession driving down the road. a |
golden coach drawn by six prancing
black horses and hundreds of soldiers |
in armOr. 1t was the sad prince taking |
his airing. Greta ran to the fiddle and |
saw 1t was dry.
Il am going to play this fiddle, and |
see IL IL will not make the prince laugh |
to see everyone hopping about" she |
said to herself. Then she struck the
golden wires into a simple air. The ef-
feet was magical. Everything in hear
ing of the sound begun to dance The
SIX horses pranced about with their
feet in the air, the. prince tumbIed out
of the opach and danced in the road.
the soldiers hopped around. while the