Toads and Diamonds
Charles Perrault
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Long ago, in a land where fairies watched over the world, there lived a widow with two daughters. The elder daughter was proud and unkind, just like her mother. They both thought themselves better than everyone else. The younger daughter, however, was gentle, kind, and as beautiful in spirit as she was in appearance.
Because the widow only loved those who were like her, she adored her elder daughter but treated the younger one terribly. The poor girl was forced to work hard every day and eat alone in the kitchen, while her sister enjoyed every comfort.
One of the many chores the younger daughter had to do was fetch water from a well far from home. Twice a day, she carried a heavy pitcher to the well and back. One day, as she was drawing water, a poor old woman approached her and asked for a drink.
“Of course, dear lady,” the girl said sweetly. She carefully rinsed her pitcher, filled it with the freshest water, and held it up so the old woman could drink with ease.
The woman smiled. “You are kind and polite, my dear. I wish to give you a gift.”
You see, this was no ordinary old woman, it was a fairy in disguise. She had come to test the girl’s kindness. “From now on,” the fairy continued, “with every word you speak, a flower or a jewel will fall from your mouth.”
The girl was surprised but grateful. She thanked the fairy and hurried home. The moment she stepped inside, her mother scolded her for taking so long.
“I’m sorry, Mother,” the girl said, and as she spoke, two roses, two pearls, and two diamonds fell from her lips.
The widow’s eyes widened with greed. “Where did these come from?” she demanded.
The girl explained what had happened at the well, and with each word, more flowers and jewels tumbled to the floor.
The widow’s mind raced. “If my youngest daughter received such a gift, then my eldest daughter must have it too!” She turned to her eldest. “Go to the well at once! Be polite to any poor woman you meet, and you will be rewarded.”
The elder daughter was not pleased. “Do I really have to do this?” she grumbled. But her mother insisted, so she set off, carrying the finest silver pitcher from the house.
When she arrived at the well, she met a beautiful lady dressed like a princess. It was the fairy, now disguised again to test the girl.
“May I please have a drink?” the lady asked kindly.
The elder daughter tossed her head. “I suppose you expect me to serve you with this fine silver pitcher? Well, take it, but don’t expect me to be happy about it.”
The fairy calmly replied, “Since you have shown no kindness or manners, I will give you a different gift. From now on, every time you speak, a snake or a toad will fall from your mouth.”
The girl gasped, but as she did, a snake and a toad tumbled from her lips. Horrified, she ran home. The moment she arrived, her mother eagerly asked, “Well, daughter?”
“Ugh, Mother!” she replied, and with her words, two more snakes and two more toads dropped to the floor.
The widow shrieked. “What has happened? This is all your sister’s fault!” In a rage, she ran to punish the younger daughter.
Frightened, the kind girl fled into the forest. As she wept beneath a tree, the king’s son happened to pass by, returning from a hunt. Seeing her tears, he gently asked, “Why are you all alone, dear girl?”
The girl, even in her sorrow, answered with kindness. As she spoke, pearls and diamonds fell from her lips.
The prince was amazed. “This gift is more precious than any treasure,” he thought. He took the girl to the royal palace, where the king and queen welcomed her with open arms. Before long, she and the Prince were married, and she lived happily, loved for her kindness and gentle heart.
As for the elder daughter, her rude behavior made her so disliked that even her mother could no longer bear to be near her. She was sent away, and with nowhere to go, she wandered the forest alone for the rest of her days.
Source: Lang, Andrew. “The Blue Fairy Book.” Charles Perrault www.gutenberg.org/files/503/503-h/503-h.htm#link2H_4_0027
