The FairyAge-adapted version

Once upon a time, there was a widow who had two daughters. The eldest was so much like her in both looks and temper that anyone who saw the daughter saw the mother. They were both so disagreeable and proud that no one could live with them.

The youngest, who was the very image of her father in courtesy and kindness, was also one of the most beautiful girls ever seen. As people naturally love their own likeness, the mother doted on her eldest daughter and had a horrible dislike for the youngest.

She made her eat in the kitchen and work all the time.

Among other things, this poor child had to go twice a day to draw water from a fountain more than a mile and a half from the house and bring home a full pitcher. One day, as she was at the fountain, a poor woman came and asked for a drink.

"Oh yes, with all my heart, dear," said the pretty maid. She rinsed the pitcher, filled it with the clearest water from the fountain, and held it up so the woman could drink easily.

After drinking, the good woman said, "You are so pretty, my dear, so good and polite, that I must give you a gift." This was a fairy who had taken the form of a poor country woman to see how polite the girl would be. "I give you this gift," said the fairy, "that every time you speak, a flower or a jewel will come out of your mouth."

When the pretty girl came home, her mother scolded her for staying so long.

"I am sorry, Mama," said the poor girl, "for not hurrying more." As she spoke, two roses, two pearls, and two diamonds fell from her mouth.

"What is this I see?" said her mother, astonished. "I see pearls and diamonds coming from your mouth! How did this happen, child?" (This was the first time she ever called her child.)

The poor girl told her everything, and as she spoke, more and more diamonds fell out.

"Goodness!" cried the mother. "I must send my daughter there. Come here, Fanny. Look what comes out of your sister's mouth when she speaks! Wouldn't you like the same gift? All you have to do is go draw water from the fountain, and when a poor woman asks for a drink, give it to her politely."

"That would be a fine sight," said the rude girl, "to see me go draw water!"

"You will go, hussy," said the mother, "and right now."

So she went, but grumbling all the way, taking the best silver tankard in the house. No sooner was she at the fountain than she saw a lady most beautifully dressed coming out of the wood. This was the same fairy who had appeared to her sister, but now she looked like a princess to see how rude this girl would be.

"Am I here to serve you with water?" said the proud, sassy girl. "I suppose the silver tankard was brought just for you? Well, you may drink from it if you like."

"You are not very polite," said the fairy calmly. "Since you have such bad manners and are so unkind, I give you this gift: every time you speak, a snake or a toad will come out of your mouth."

As soon as her mother saw her coming, she called out, "Well, daughter?"

"Well, mother?" answered the pert girl, and out came two vipers and two toads.

"Oh mercy!" cried the mother. "What do I see! That wretched sister of yours caused all this, but she will pay for it!" And she ran to beat the youngest. The poor child fled and hid in the forest nearby.

The king's son, returning from hunting, found her. Seeing her so pretty, he asked what she was doing alone and why she was crying.

"Alas, sir, my mother has turned me out."

The king's son saw five or six pearls and as many diamonds fall from her mouth. He asked her to explain, and she told him the whole story. He fell in love with her, thinking that such a gift was worth more than any dowry. He took her to the palace of his father the king and married her.

As for her sister, she made herself so hated that her own mother drove her away. The miserable wretch wandered for a long time without finding anyone to take her in, until she went to a corner of the forest and died.

The Moral

Money and jewels still make a strong impression on the mind. But sweet, kind speech is far more valuable.

Another

Good manners may take some effort, but sooner or later they bring their reward, often when we least expect it.