The Grey Fairy Book | Page 9

herself up entirely to the little princess who was left
in her charge. She anxiously thought over which of the fairies she
would invite to be godmothers, so as to secure the best gift, for her
adopted child.
At last she decided on two very kindly and cheerful fairies, and asked
them to the christening feast. Directly it was over the baby was brought
to them in a lovely crystal cradle hung with red silk curtains
embroidered with gold.
The little thing smiled so sweetly at the fairies that they decided to do
all they could for her. They began by naming her Graziella, and then
Placida said: ‘You know, dear sisters, that the commonest form of spite

or punishment amongst us consists of changing beauty to ugliness,
cleverness to stupidity, and oftener still to change a person's form
altogether. Now, as we can only each bestow one gift, I think the best
plan will be for one of you to give her beauty, the other good
understanding, whilst I will undertake that she shall never be changed
into any other form.'
The two godmothers quite agreed, and as soon as the little princess had
received their gifts, they went home, and Placida gave herself up to the
child's education. She succeeded so well with it, and little Graziella
grew so lovely, that when she was still quite a child her fame was
spread abroad only too much, and one day Placida was surprised by a
visit from the Fairy Queen, who was attended by a very grave and
severe- looking fairy.
The queen began at once: ‘I have been much surprised by your
behaviour to Mutinosa; she had insulted our whole race, and deserved
punishment. You might forgive your own wrongs if you chose, but not
those of others. You treated her very gently whilst she was with you,
and I come now to avenge our wrongs on her daughter. You have
ensured her being lovely and clever, and not subject to change of form,
but I shall place her in an enchanted prison, which she shall never leave
till she finds herself in the arms of a lover whom she herself loves. It
will be my care to prevent anything of the kind happening.'
The enchanted prison was a large high tower in the midst of the sea,
built of shells of all shapes and colours. The lower floor was like a
great bathroom, where the water was let in or off at will. The first floor
contained the princess's apartments, beautifully furnished. On the
second was a library, a large wardrobe-room filled with beautiful
clothes and every kind of linen, a music-room, a pantry with bins full
of the best wines, and a store-room with all manner of preserves,
bonbons, pastry and cakes, all of which remained as fresh as if just out
of the oven.
The top of the tower was laid out like a garden, with beds of the
loveliest flowers, fine fruit trees, and shady arbours and shrubs, where
many birds sang amongst the branches.
The fairies escorted Graziella and her governess, Bonnetta, to the tower,
and then mounted a dolphin which was waiting for them. At a little
distance from the tower the queen waved her wand and summoned two

thousand great fierce sharks, whom she ordered to keep close guard,
and not to let a soul enter the tower
The good governess took such pains with Graziella's education that
when she was nearly grown up she was not only most accomplished,
but a very sweet, good girl.
One day, as the princess was standing on a balcony, she saw the most
extraordinary figure rise out of the sea. She quickly called Bonnetta to
ask her what it could be. It looked like some kind of man, with a bluish
face and long sea-green hair. He was swimming towards the tower, but
the sharks took no notice of him.
‘It must be a merman,' said Bonnetta.
‘A man, do you say?' cried Graziella; ‘let us hurry down to the door
and see him nearer.'
When they stood in the doorway the merman stopped to look at the
princess and made many signs of admiration. His voice was very
hoarse and husky, but when he found that he was not understood he
took to signs. He carried a little basket made of osiers and filled with
rare shells, which he presented to the princess.
She took it with signs of thanks; but as it was getting dusk she retired,
and the merman plunged back into the sea.
When they were alone, Graziella said to her governess: ‘What a
dreadful-looking creature that was! Why do those odious sharks let him
come near the tower? I suppose all men are not like him?'
‘No, indeed,' replied Bonnetta. ‘I