When she grew up she was betrothed to a prince who lived a great way off . Now , when the time drew near for her to be married and to depart into a foreign kingdom , her old mother gave her much costly baggage , and many ornaments , gold and silver , trinkets and knicknacks , and , in fact , everything that belonged to a royal trousseau , for she loved her daughter very dearly . She gave her a waiting-maid also , who was to ride with her and hand her over to the bridegroom , and she provided each of them with a horse for the journey . Now the Princess 's horse was called Falada , and could speak . When the hour for departure drew near the old mother went to her bedroom , and taking a small knife she cut her fingers till they bled ; then she held a white rag under them , and letting three drops of blood fall into it , she gave it to her daughter , and said : `` Dear child , take great care of this rag : it may be of use to you on the journey . '' So they took a sad farewell of each other , and the Princess stuck the rag in front of her dress , mounted her horse , and set forth on the journey to her bridegroom 's kingdom . After they had ridden for about an hour the Princess began to feel very thirsty , and said to her waiting-maid : `` Pray get down and fetch me some water in my golden cup out of yonder stream : I would like a drink . '' `` If you 're thirsty , '' said the maid , `` dismount yourself , and lie down by the water and drink ; I do n't mean to be your servant any longer . '' The Princess was so thirsty that she got down , bent over the stream , and drank , for she was n't allowed to drink out of the golden goblet . As she drank she murmured : `` Oh ! heaven , what am I to do ? '' and the three drops of blood replied : `` If your mother only knew , Her heart would surely break in two . '' But the Princess was meek , and said nothing about her maid 's rude behavior , and quietly mounted her horse again . They rode on their way for several miles , but the day was hot , and the sun 's rays smote fiercely on them , so that the Princess was soon overcome by thirst again . And as they passed a brook she called once more to her waiting-maid : `` Pray get down and give me a drink from my golden cup , '' for she had long ago forgotten her maid 's rude words . But the waiting-maid replied , more haughtily even than before : `` If you want a drink , you can dismount and get it ; I do n't mean to be your servant . '' Then the Princess was compelled by her thirst to get down , and bending over the flowing water she cried and said : `` Oh ! heaven , what am I to do ? '' and the three drops of blood replied : `` If your mother only knew , Her heart would surely break in two . '' And as she drank thus , and leaned right over the water , the rag containing the three drops of blood fell from her bosom and floated down the stream , and she in her anxiety never even noticed her loss .
But the waiting-maid had observed it with delight , as she knew it gave her power XXXXX the bride , for in losing the drops of blood the Princess had become weak and powerless .
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