I only have three peas for my day 's provision , so unless you wish to fast you must go elsewhere . ' But the mouse ran hither and thither , and danced and capered so prettily , that at last the Queen gave it her last pea , which she was keeping for her supper , saying : ` Here , little one , eat it up ; I have nothing better to offer you , but I give this willingly in return for the amusement I have had from you . ' She had hardly spoken when she saw upon the table a delicious little roast partridge , and two dishes of preserved fruit . ` Truly , ' said she , ' a kind action never goes unrewarded ; ` and she and the little Princess ate their supper with great satisfaction , and then the Queen gave what was left to the little mouse , who danced better than ever afterwards . The next morning came the gaoler with the Queen 's allowance of three peas , which he brought in upon a large dish to make them look smaller ; but as soon as he set it down the little mouse came and ate up all three , so that when the Queen wanted her dinner there was nothing left for her . Then she was quite provoked , and said : ` What a bad little beast that mouse must be ! If it goes on like this I shall be starved . ' But when she glanced at the dish again it was covered with all sorts of nice things to eat , and the Queen made a very good dinner , and was gayer than usual over it . But afterwards as she sat at her spinning-wheel she began to consider what would happen if the little Princess did not grow up pretty enough to please the King , and she said to herself : ` Oh ! if I could only think of some way of escaping . ' As she spoke she saw the little mouse playing in a corner with some long straws . The Queen took them and began to plait them , saying : ` If only I had straws enough I would make a basket with them , and let my baby down in it from the window to any kind passer-by who would take care of her . ' By the time the straws were all plaited the little mouse had dragged in more and more , until the Queen had plenty to make her basket , and she worked at it day and night , while the little mouse danced for her amusement ; and at dinner and supper time the Queen gave it the three peas and the bit of black bread , and always found something good in the dish in their place . She really could not imagine where all the nice things came from . At last one day when the basket was finished , the Queen was looking out of the window to see how long a cord she must make to lower it to the bottom of the tower , when she noticed a little old woman who was leaning upon her stick and looking up at her . Presently she said : ' I know your trouble , madam . If you like I will help you . ' ` Oh ! my dear friend , ' said the Queen . ` If you really wish to be of use to me you will come at the time that I will appoint , and I will let down my poor little baby in a basket .
If you will take her , and bring her up XXXXX me , when I am rich I will reward you splendidly . ' '
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