  The fairy tale was ended, the wicked Queen had fled; The Prince had saved the Princess and cut off the monster’s head; The people all were joyful, and the Princess and the Prince Were married and—so ran the tale—“lived happy ever since.” Nell closed the book of fairy tales and mused: “I wonder why There are no fairies nowadays? I only wish that I Here Nell dropped off to sleep, and then she started in her chair, When, of its own accord, the book popped open, and behold! Out crept a wee elf-princess all arrayed in cloth of gold; She sighed a little tired sigh and then Nell heard her say, In a tiny tired little voice, that sounded far away: “Oh, dear! how very nice it is for once to get outside. You’ve no idea how flat it is, my dear, until you’ve tried, To be shut up in a story-book with Dragons, Queens, and Kings, And always have to do and say the same old, senseless things; You think it would be very fine, but really it’s no joke! I’d rather be a girl, like you!—” Then little Nell awoke, “Poor Princess Goldenhair,” said she,—“unhappy little elf, I’m rather glad, upon the whole, that I am just myself!” |
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