` The thread must have been rotten , ' she said to herself . ' I will see if I can break it . ' But search as she would she could find none . The thread had vanished ! From ` Litterature Orale de l'Auvergne , ' par Paul Sebillot . The Three Crowns There was once a king who had three daughters . The two eldest were very proud and quarrelsome , but the youngest was as good as they were bad . Well , three princes came to court them , and two of them were exactly like the eldest ladies , and one was just as lovable as the youngest . One day they were all walking down to a lake that lay at the bottom of the lawn when they met a poor beggar . The king would n't give him anything , and the eldest princesses would n't give him anything , nor their sweethearts ; but the youngest daughter and her true love did give him something , and kind words along with it , and that was better than all . When they got to the edge of the lake what did they find but the beautifullest boat you ever saw in your life ; and says the eldest , ` I 'll take a sail in this fine boat ' ; and says the second eldest , ` I 'll take a sail in this fine boat ' ; and says the youngest , ' I wo n't take a sail in that fine boat , for I am afraid it 's an enchanted one . ' But the others persuaded her to go in , and her father was just going in after her , when up sprung on the deck a little man only seven inches high , and ordered him to stand back . Well , all the men put their hands to their swords ; and if the same swords were only playthings , they were n't able to draw them , for all strength that was left their arms . Seven Inches loosened the silver chain that fastened the boat , and pushed away , and after grinning at the four men , says he to them . ` Bid your daughters and your brides farewell for awhile . You , ' says he to the youngest , ` need n't fear , you 'll recover your princess all in good time , and you and she will be as happy as the day is long . Bad people , if they were rolling stark naked in gold , would not be rich . Good-bye . ' Away they sailed , and the ladies stretched out their hands , but were n't able to say a word . Well , they were n't crossing the lake while a cat ` ud be lickin ' her ear , and the poor men could n't stir hand or foot to follow them .
They saw Seven Inches handing the three XXXXX out of the boat , and letting them down by a basket into a draw-well , but king nor princes ever saw an opening before in the same place .
Sebillot There beautifullest day l'Auvergne left playthings princesses second ud