Well , once upon a time there lived an emperor who had half a world all to himself to rule over , and in this world dwelt an old herd and his wife and their three daughters , Anna , Stana , and Laptitza . Anna , the eldest , was so beautiful that when she took the sheep to pasture they forgot to eat as long as she was walking with them . Stana , the second , was so beautiful that when she was driving the flock the wolves protected the sheep . But Laptitza , the youngest , with a skin as white as the foam on the milk , and with hair as soft as the finest lamb 's wool , was as beautiful as both her sisters put together -- as beautiful as she alone could be . One summer day , when the rays of the sun were pouring down on the earth , the three sisters went to the wood on the outskirts of the mountain to pick strawberries . As they were looking about to find where the largest berries grew they heard the tramp of horses approaching , so loud that you would have thought a whole army was riding by . But it was only the emperor going to hunt with his friends and attendants . They were all fine handsome young men , who sat their horses as if they were part of them , but the finest and handsomest of all was the young emperor himself . As they drew near the three sisters , and marked their beauty , they checked their horses and rode slowly by . ` Listen , sisters ! ' said Anna , as they passed on . ` If one of those young men should make me his wife , I would bake him a loaf of bread which should keep him young and brave for ever . ' ` And if I , ' said Stana , ` should be the one chosen , I would weave my husband a shirt which will keep him unscathed when he fights with dragons ; when he goes through water he will never even be wet ; or if through fire , it will not scorch him . ' ` And I , ' said Laptitza , ` will give the man who chooses me two boys , twins , each with a golden star on his forehead , as bright as those in the sky . ' And though they spoke low the young men heard , and turned their horses ' heads . ' I take you at your word , and mine shall you be , most lovely of empresses ! ' cried the emperor , and swung Laptitza and her strawberries on the horse before him . ` And I will have you , ' ` And I you , ' exclaimed two of his friends , and they all rode back to the palace together . The following morning the marriage ceremony took place , and for three days and three nights there was nothing but feasting over the whole kingdom . And when the rejoicings were over the news was in everybody 's mouth that Anna had sent for corn , and had made the loaf of which she had spoken at the strawberry beds .
And then more days and nights passed , and this rumour was succeeded by another one -- that Stana had procured some flax , and had dried it , and combed it , and spun it into linen , and sewed it herself into the shirt XXXXX which she had spoken over the strawberry beds .
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