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There was once a king who had three daughters. The two eldest
were very proud and quarrelsome, but the youngest was as good as
they were bad. Well, three princes came to court them, and two of
them were exactly like the eldest ladies, and one was just as
lovable as the youngest. One day they were all walking down to a
lake that lay at the bottom of the lawn when they met a poor
beggar. The king wouldn't give him anything, and the eldest
princesses wouldn't give him anything, nor their sweethearts; but
the youngest daughter and her true love did give him something,
and kind words along with it, and that was better than all.
When they got to the edge of the lake what did they find but the
beautifullest boat you ever saw in your life; and says the
eldest, 'I'll take a sail in this fine boat'; and says the second
eldest, 'I'll take a sail in this fine boat'; and says the
youngest, 'I won't take a sail in that fine boat, for I am afraid
it's an enchanted one.' But the others persuaded her to go in,
and her father was just going in after her, when up sprung on the
deck a little man only seven inches high, and ordered him to
stand back. Well, all the men put their hands to their swords;
and if the same swords were only playthings, they weren't able to
draw them, for all strength that was left their arms. Seven
Inches loosened the silver chain that fastened the boat, and
pushed away, and after grinning at the four men, says he to them.
'Bid your daughters and your brides farewell for awhile. You,'
says he to the youngest, 'needn't fear, you'll recover your
princess all in good time, and you and she will be as happy as
the day is long. Bad people, if they were rolling stark naked in
gold, would not be rich. Good-bye.' Away they sailed, and the
ladies stretched out their hands, but weren't able to say a word.
Well, they weren't crossing the lake while a cat 'ud be lickin'
her ear, and the poor men couldn't stir hand or foot to follow
them. They saw Seven Inches handing the three princesses out of
the boat, and letting them down by a basket into a draw-well, but
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Fairytales 
