The Goose Girl (Short Story)

There was an old Queen, and her husband had been dead many years ago. She had a beautiful daughter. When the princess grew up, she was betrothed to a prince. When the time came for her to be married, she had to journey to the distant kingdom. The aged Queen packed up many costly vessels of silver and gold, and cups and jewels.

She sent her maid to ride with her daugther, and each had a horse of the Queen's daughter, called Falada, could speak.

So when the time of parting had come, the aged mother went into her bedroom. She took a small knife and cut her finger with it until it bled. Then she let three drops of blood fall into a white handkerchief. She gave it to her daughter and said, "Dear child, preserve this carefully, it will be of service to you on your way."

So they took a sorrowful leave of each other. The princess put the piece of cloth in her bosom, mounted her horse, and then went away to her bridegroom.