Marie-Catherine d'Aulnoy

“ When she awoke, she heard the lions which guarded the fairy roaring, upon which, looking for her cake, she found it was gone. This threw her into the utmost agony, not knowing how to save herself from being devoured by them; when, hearing somebody cry, "Hem! hem!" she lifted up her eyes, and beheld a little yellow man on a tree, half a yard high, picking and eating oranges.
"Ah! queen," said the yellow Dwarf, (for so he was called on account of his complexion, and the orange-tree he lived in) "how will you escape the lions? There is but one way: I know what business brought you here! ”

“ The king was convinced that nothing could be met with so beautiful; but, being unwilling yet to part with his crown, he told his children, that he must make a further trial of their love and diligence before he performed his promise: they must take another year to find out a web of cloth fine enough to go through the eye of a small needle.
This request, though unjust, they thought it best to comply with: and our prince mounted his wooden horse, and returned with speed to his White Cat, on which alone he depended for assistance. ”

“ When they had sailed some time, "Now," said the Mermaid to the king, "we drew near the place where your princess is kept by the Yellow Dwarf. You will have many enemies to fight before you can come to her; take, therefore, this sword, with which you may overcome every thing, provided you never let it go out of your hand." The king returned her all the thanks that the most grateful heart could suggest ”

“ In truth, the fairy should have promised us a dozen of gifts, for there are at least a dozen things which I want." "That may be true,” said the husband; "but let us take time; let us consider till morning the three things which are most necessary for us, and then wish." "I’ll think all night," said the wife; "meanwhile let us warm ourselves, for it is very cold." At the same time the wife took the tongs to mend the fire; and seeing there were a great many coals thoroughly lighted, she said without thinking on it, "Here’s a nice fire; I wish we had a yard of black pudding for our supper ”

“ Tears started from the prince’s eyes at this request, and he was going several times to refuse; but the White Cat insisted upon it so earnestly, that at last, with a trembling hand, he chopped off her head and tail, and threw them according to order into the fire. In an instant the body of the White Cat was changed into the most beautiful lady that ever was seen, and immediately a great number of gentlemen and ladies, holding their cats’ skins over their shoulders, came and fell prostrate at her feet, crying, "Long live our gracious queen! ”

“ The king, by pretending to be in love with the fairy, obtained liberty to walk by himself on the shore; and, as he was one day invoking the powers of the sea, he heard a voice, and presently after was surprised with the appearance of a Mermaid, which, coming up with a pleasant smile, spoke these words:---"O King of the Golden Mines, I well know all that has passed in regard to you and the fair princess. Don’t suspect this to be a contrivance of the fairy’s to try you, for I am an inveterate enemy both to her and the Yellow dwarf ”

“ After taking leave of theking they set out, with orders to return that day twelvemonth with dogs. Each took a different road, without any attendants; but we shall leave the two eldest at present, and confine our story to the youngest. ”