In Story-Land Reading Day 8

she , a daughter of the King , had been selfish and idle , thinking only of herself , and her punishment had been that she must remain thus disguised and separated from all companions and friends until she could find someone who would be generous and brave enough to take the long, dangerous journey around the world for the sake of others . Her mother had been a fairy princess and had taught her many things which we mortals have yet to learn . She showed the child Avilla how, by dipping the golden thread into a spring of ordinary water , she could change the water into golden water , which glittered and sparkled like liquid sunshine . Filling a pitcher with this they hastened together to where the little blind sister sat in darkness waiting for some one to come and lead her home . The beautiful princess told Avilla to dip her hands into the bowl of enchanted water , and then press them upon the closed eyes of her sister . They opened ! And the little blind girl could see ! After that the fairy princess came and lived with little Avilla and her sister , and taught them how to do many wonderful things , of which I have not time to tell you to -day .

PRINCE HARWEDA AND THE MAGIC PRISON.

Litttle Harweda was born a prince . His father was King over all the land and his mother was the most beautiful Queen the world had ever seen and Prince Harweda was their only child . From the day of his birth everything that love or money could do for him had been done . The very wind of heaven was made to fan over an æolian harp that it might enter his room , not as a strong fresh breeze , but as a breath of music . Reflectors were so arranged in the windows that twice as much moonlight fell on his crib as on that of any ordinary child . The pillow on which his head rested was made out of the down from humming birds breasts and the water in which his face and hands were washed was always steeped in rose leaves before being brought to the nursery . Everything that could be done was done , and nothing which could add to his ease or comfort was left undone .

But his parents , although they were King and Queen , were not very wise , for they never

thought of making the young prince think of anybody but himself and he had never in all his life given up any one of his comforts that somebody else might have a pleasure . So , of course , he grew to be selfish and peevish , and by the time he was five years old he was so disagreeable that nobody loved him . " Dear , dear ! what shall we do ? " said the poor Queen mother and the King only sighed and answered " Ah , what indeed ! " They were both very much grieved at heart for they well knew that little Harweda , although he was a prince , would never grow up to be a really great King unless he could make his people love him .

At last they decided to send for his fairy god- mother and see if she could suggest anything which would cure Prince Harweda of always thinking about himself. " Well , well , well ! " exclaimed the god - mother when they had laid the case before her " This is a pretty state of affairs ! and I his god - mother too ! Why wasn't I called in sooner ? " then told them that she would have to think a day and a night and a day again before she could offer them any assistance . " But ," added she , " if I take the child in charge you must promise not to interfere for a whole year." The King and Queen gladly promised

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