Then the hare changed into a fish , and the fish into a bird , and the bird into a slimy wriggling snake . This time the prince 's hand nearly opened of itself , but with a strong effort he kept his fingers shut , and drawing his sword cut off its head , when the spell was broken , and the girl stood before him as he had seen her first , the wreath upon her head and the birds singing for joy . The very next morning the stepmother arrived at the palace with an ointment that the old witch had given her to place upon her daughter 's tongue , which would break the dove 's spell , if the rightful bride had really been drowned in the sea ; if not , then it would be useless . The mother assured her that she had seen her stepdaughter sink , and that there was no fear that she would ever come up again ; but , to make all quite safe , the old woman might bewitch the girl ; and so she did . After that the wicked stepmother travelled all through the night to get to the palace as soon as possible , and made her way straight into her daughter 's room . ' I have got it ! I have got it ! ' she cried triumphantly , and laid the ointment on her daughter 's tongue . ` Now what do you say ? ' she asked proudly . ` Dirty creatures ! dirty creatures ! ' answered the daughter ; and the mother wrung her hands and wept , as she knew that all her plans had failed . At this moment the prince entered with his real wife . ` You both deserved death , ' he said , ` and if it were left to me , you should have it . But the princess has begged me to spare your lives , so you will be put into a ship and carried off to a desert island , where you will stay till you die . ' Then the ship was made ready and the wicked woman and her daughter were placed in it , and it sailed away , and no more was heard of them . But the prince and his wife lived together long and happily , and ruled their people well . The Foolish Weaver -LSB- Adapted from Thorpe 's Yule-Tide Stories . -RSB- Once a weaver , who was in want of work , took service with a certain farmer as a shepherd .
The farmer , knowing XXXXX the man was very slow-witted , gave him most careful instructions as to everything that he was to do .
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