Classic Fairy Tales of Charles Perrault by Charles Perrault

Author:Charles Perrault [Perrault, Charles]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780717156610
Publisher: Gill & Macmillan

The princess was astonished, and said nothing at all (for she could not think of anything to say).

“I see,” said Riquet with the Tuft, “that this proposal makes you very uneasy, and I am not surprised, but I will give you a whole year to consider it.”

The princess had so little wit and, at the same time, so great a desire to have some, that she imagined the end of a year would never come, and she therefore accepted the proposal. She had no sooner promised Riquet with the Tuft that she would marry him on that day the following year, than she found that she was completely changed, with an incredible ability to say whatever she wanted, in a polite, easy and natural manner. She started a very interesting conversation with Riquet with the Tuft, during which she rattled on at such a rate that the prince began to believe that he had given her more wit than he had kept for himself.

When the princess returned to the palace the court didn’t know what to think of this sudden and extraordinary change, for they now heard from her as much sensible conversation and as many infinitely witty asides as they had heard stupid and silly remarks before. Everyone was overjoyed beyond belief – all except her younger sister, who, no longer having the advantage over her of wit, seemed in comparison to be very disagreeable and plain.

The king began to take the advice of his older daughter and would even sometimes hold his council meetings in her apartment. The rumour of this change spread far and wide, and all the young princes of the neighbouring kingdoms did their best to win her favour, and almost all of them proposed marriage to her. Not one of them had enough wit for her, and although she gave them all a hearing, she would not get engaged to any of them.

However, one day a prince came along who was so powerful, witty, rich and handsome that the princess could not help being taken with him. Her father noticed it and told her that she could decide for herself whom she wanted to marry and that she could declare her intentions towards this prince if she wished. However, the more wit we have, the more difficult we find it to make a decision in such matters, so, having thanked her father, she asked him to give her time to consider the matter.

By chance, in order to think about what she should do, the princess went for a walk in the same wood where she had met Riquet with the Tuft. While she was walking, deep in thought, she heard the confused noise under her feet of a great many people rushing about very busily. Listening more attentively, she heard one say, “Bring me that pot.” Then she heard another say, “Give me that kettle,” and a third, “Put some wood on the fire.”

At the same time the ground opened and she saw under

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