Our common tales ebook | Page 21

stepmother was very jealous of her because she was more beautiful , better and more hardworking than her own daughter and , in a way , she wanted to get rid of Maro. As the twelve – day period of Christmas came during which the goblins come out and tease people , the widow decided to send Maro to the mill , supposedly to grind , hoping that the goblins would grab her and she would calm down for good and finally get rid of her stepdaughter whom she hated so much….. So , she loaded the corn or the wheat on the mule and sent her to the mill. Maro was very frightened as she was only a little girl because she had heard about the goblins that come out at night and tease people but she couldn‘t deny her stepmother. Then , she set off to the mill and when she arrived it was already dark. When the miller saw her , he got surprised and told her: ― My little girl , Maro , why are you out of your house on such a festive day ? Don‘t you know that , now , at Christmas , when it gets dark , the goblins come out and tease everyone ? ― - ― Well , I know that…. But what can I do ? My mother sent me here to grind ― , she replies. - ― Well , well , what can I do ? It‘s time to go ! ― says the miller . ― I‘m already late . ―