"_Oh, Mr. Editor! I know the story you are going to tell: it's The
Sleeping Beauty; only you're spinning too, and making it longer._"
"_No, indeed, it is not that story. Why should I tell one that every
properly educated child knows already? More old ladies than one have
sat
spinning in a garret. Besides, the old lady in that story was only
spinning with a spindle, and this one was spinning with a spinning
wheel, else how could the princess have heard the sweet noise through
the door? Do you know the difference? Did you ever see a spindle or a
spinning wheel? I daresay you never did. Well, ask your mamma to
explain
to you the difference. Between ourselves, however, I shouldn't wonder
if
she didn't know much better than you. Another thing is, that this is not
a fairy story; but a goblin story. And one thing more, this old lady
spinning was not an old nurse--but--you shall see who. I think I have
now made it quite plain that this is not that lovely story of The
Sleeping Beauty. It is quite a new one, I assure you, and I will try to
tell it as prettily as I can._"
Perhaps you will wonder how the princess could tell that the old lady
Madhuri Noah
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