There was once a Darning-needle who thought herself so fine that she believed she was an embroidery-needle. `Take great care to hold me tight!` said the Darning-needle to the Fingers who were holding her. `Don`t let me fall! If I once fall on the ground I shall never be found again, I am so fine!` `It is all right!` said the Fingers, seizing her round the waist. `Look, I am coming with my train!` said the Darning-needle as she drew a long thread after her; but there was no knot at the end of the thread.
The Fingers were using the

Once upon a time there lived a stone-cutter, who went every day to a great rock in the side of a big mountain and cut out slabs for gravestones or for houses. He understood very well the kinds of stones wanted for the different purposes, and as he was a careful workman he had plenty of customers. For a long time he was quite happy and contented, and asked for nothing better than what he had.
Now in the mountain dwelt a spirit which now and then appeared to men, and helped them in many ways to become rich and prosperous.

The mother of Hans said: “Whither away, Hans?` Hans answered: “To Gretel.` “Behave well, Hans.` “Oh, I`ll behave well. Goodbye, mother.` “Goodbye, Hans.` Hans comes to Gretel. “Good day, Gretel.` “Good day, Hans. What do you bring that is good?` “I bring nothing, I want to have something given me.` Gretel presents Hans with a needle, Hans says: “Goodbye, Gretel.` “Goodbye, Hans.`
Hans takes the needle, sticks it into a hay-cart, and follows the cart home. “Good evening, mother.` “Good evening, Hans. Where have you been?` “With Gretel.` “What did you take her?` “Took nothing; had something given me.` “What did

INTRODUCTION
It is a strange thing, when I feel most fervently and most deeply, my hands and my tongue seem alike tied, so that I cannot rightly describe or accurately portray the thoughts that are rising within me; and yet I am a painter; my eye tells me as much as that, and all my friends who have seen my sketches and fancies say the same.
I am a poor lad, and live in one of the narrowest of lanes; but I do not want for light, as my room is high up in the house, with an extensive prospect over the

There was once upon a time a peasant-woman who had a daughter and a step-daughter. The daughter had her own way in everything, and whatever she did was right in her mother`s eyes; but the poor step-daughter had a hard time. Let her do what she would, she was always blamed, and got small thanks for all the trouble she took; nothing was right, everything wrong; and yet, if the truth were known, the girl was worth her weight in goldshe was so unselfish and good-hearted. But her step-mother did not like her, and the poor girl`s days were spent

Long, long ago there lived a king who was such a mighty monarch that whenever he sneezed every one in the whole country had to say `To your good health!` Every one said it except the shepherd with the staring eyes, and he would not say it.
The king heard of this and was very angry, and sent for the shepherd to appear before him.
The shepherd came and stood before the throne, where the king sat looking very grand and powerful. But however grand or powerful he might be the shepherd did not feel a bit afraid of him.
`Say at once,

There was once a king`s son who had a bride whom he loved very much. And when he was sitting beside her and very happy, news came that his father lay sick unto death, and desired to see him once again before his end. Then he said to his beloved: “I must now go and leave you, I give you a ring as a remembrance of me. When I am king, I will return and fetch you.` So he rode away, and when he reached his father, the latter was dangerously ill, and near his death. He said to him:

There was, once upon a time, a widow, who had two daughters. The eldest was so much like her in the face and humour, that whoever looked upon the daughter saw the mother. They were both so disagreeable, and so proud, that there was no living with them. The youngest, who was the very picture of her father, for courtesy and sweetness of temper, was withal one of the most beautiful girls ever seen. As people naturally love their own likeness, this mother even doated on her eldest daughter, and at the same time had a horrible aversion for the

There was once upon a time a witch, who in the shape of a hawk used every night to break the windows of a certain village church. In the same village there lived three brothers, who were all determined to kill the mischievous hawk. But in vain did the two eldest mount guard in the church with their guns; as soon as the bird appeared high above their heads, sleep overpowered them, and they only awoke to hear the windows crashing in. Then the youngest brother took his turn of guarding the windows, and to prevent his being overcome by

Long, long ago, far, far away on the other side of the world, some young men left the camp where they lived to get some food for their wives and children. The sun was hot, but they liked heat, and as they went they ran races and tried who could hurl his spear the farthest, or was cleverest in throwing a strange weapon called a boomerang, which always returns to the thrower. They did not get on very fast at this rate, but presently they reached a flat place that in time of flood was full of water, but was