in nine days from this time repair to the royal palace, and there will i come." the little tailor went home, and at the appointed time was at the castle. it was not long before the stork came flying thither and tapped at the window. the tailor opened it, and cousin longlegs came carefully in, and walked with solemn steps over the smooth marble pavement. he had, moreover, a baby in his beak that was as lovely as an angel, and stretched out its little hands to the queen. the stork laid it in her lap, and she caressed it and kissed it, and was beside herself with delight. before the stork flew away, he took his travelling bag off his back and handed it over to the queen. in it there were little paper parcels with colored sweetmeats, and they were divided amongst the little princesses. the eldest, however, had none of them, but got the merry tailor for a husband. "it seems to me," said he, "just as if i had won the highest prize. my mother was if right after all, she always said that whoever trusts in god and only has good luck, can never fail."