The king of a great land died, and left his queen to take care of
their only child. This child was a daughter, who was very beautiful,
and her mother loved her dearly and was very kind to her. When she
grew up, she was betrothed to a prince who lived a great way off; and
as the time drew near for her to be married, she got ready to set off
on her journey to his country. The queen, her mother, packed up a
great many costly things--jewels, gold and silver trinkets, fine
dresses, and, in short, everything that became a royal bride. She gave
her a waiting-maid to ride with her and give her into the bridegroom's
hands, and each had a horse for the journey. The princess' horse was
called Falada, and could speak.
When the time came for them to set out, the aged mother went into the
princess's bedchamber, took a knife, and having cut her finger till it
bled, let three drops of the blood fall upon a handkerchief, and gave
it to the princess, saying--
"Take care of it, dear child, for it is a charm that may be of use to
you on the road."
They all took a sorrowful leave of the princess, and she put the
handkerchief into her bosom, got upon her horse, and set off on her
journey to her bridegroom's kingdom.
One day as they were riding along by a brook, the princess began to
feel very thirsty, and said to her maid--
"Pray get down, and fetch me some water in my golden cup out of yonder
brook, for I want to drink."
"Nay," said the maid, "if you are thirsty, get off yourself and stoop
down by the water and drink. I shall not be your waiting-maid any
longer."
The princess got down, and knelt over the brook and drank, for she was
frightened, and dared not bring out her cup; and she wept, and said--
"Alas! what will become of me?"