Kisa the Cat

“ KISA THE CAT
Once upon a time there lived a queen who had a beautiful cat, the colour of smoke, with china-blue eyes, which she was very fond of. The cat was constantly with her, and ran after her wherever she went, and even sat up proudly by her side when she drove out in her fine glass coach.
‘Oh, pussy,’ said the queen one day, ‘you are happier than I am! For you have a dear little kitten just like yourself, and I have nobody to play with but you.’
‘Don’t cry,’ answered the cat, ‘laying her paw on her mistress’s arm. Crying never does any good. ”

“ And he invited all the handsomest young men he could think of to the palace, and bade the princess choose a husband from among them.
It took her some time to decide which she admired the most, but at last she fixed upon a young prince, whose eyes were like the pools in the forest, and his hair of bright gold. The king and the queen were greatly pleased, as the young man was the son of a neighbouring king, and they gave orders that a splendid feast should be got ready.
When the marriage was over, Kisa suddenly stood before them, and Ingibjörg rushed forward and clasped her in her arms. ”

“ And so she did; and when the cat drove the cart up to the palace gate, lashing the horse furiously with her tail, and the king and queen saw their lost daughter sitting beside her, they declared that no reward could be too great for the person who had brought her out of the giant’s hands.
‘We will talk about that by-and-by,’ said the cat, as she made her best bow, and turned her horse’s head.
The princess was very unhappy when Kisa left her without even bidding her farewell. She would neither eat nor drink, nor take any notice of all the beautiful dresses her parents bought for her. ”