` Let us wish her something good . I myself will wish her youth . ' ` And I beauty . ' ` And I wisdom . ' ` And I a tender heart . ' So spake the fairies , and went their way , leaving the most beautiful maiden in the world behind them . The next morning when the king looked from his window he saw this lovely creature hanging on the nail . ` Ah ! what have I done ? Surely I must have been blind last night ! ' And he ordered long ladders to be brought and the maiden to be rescued . Then he fell on his knees before her , and prayed her to forgive him , and a great feast was made in her honour . Some days after came the ninety-year-old sister to the palace and asked for the queen . ` Who is that hideous old witch ? ' said the king . ` Oh , an old neighbour of mine , who is half silly , ' she replied . But the old woman looked at her steadily , and knew her again , and said : ` How have you managed to grow so young and beautiful ? I should like to be young and beautiful too . ' This question she repeated the whole day long , till at length the queen lost patience and said : ' I had my old head cut off , and this new head grew in its place . ' Then the old woman went to a barber , and spoke to him , saying , ' I will give you all you ask if you will only cut off my head , so that I may become young and lovely . '
` But , my good woman , if I do XXXXX you will die ! '
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