The Fairy's Return and Other Princess Tales Read Online Free Page B

collected when he listened to her chest and made her say “Aah” sixteen times.

Ten
    M yrtle had a birthday party every week. She and the widow laughed and laughed at their silliness in wishing for jewels to come out of Myrtle’s mouth. When Myrtle got bored between parties, she would speak into a big jar. Then she’d let the bugs and the snakes loose in the yard and make them race. She and her mother would have a grand time betting on the winners.
    Rosella got better so slowly that Ethelinda’s patience snapped. The evening after Myrtle’s fourth party, Ethelinda materialized as herself in the widow’s cottage. “I am the fairy Ethelinda, who rewarded your sister and punished you. You have to help Rosella,” she thundered.
    Myrtle sneered. “I do? I have to?”
    A bull snake slithered under Ethelinda’s gown. A gnat bit her wing.
    â€œOuch!” Ethelinda yelped.
    â€œBe careful, dear,” the widow told Myrtle. “You might make a poisonous snake.”
    â€œYes, you have to help her,” Ethelinda said. “Or I’ll punish you severely.”
    Myrtle wrote on her slate, “I like your punishments.”
    â€œI can take your punishment away,” Ethelinda said.
    As fast as she could, Myrtle wrote, “What do I have to do?”
    Ethelinda explained the problem.
    â€œI can fix that,” Myrtle wrote.
    Ethelinda transported Myrtle to the palace, where Rosella was staring up at her lace bed canopy and wondering when her nighttime guards would arrive. As Ethelinda and Myrtle materialized, Ethelinda turned herself back into the old lady.
    â€œI’ve brought your sister to help you, my dear,” Ethelinda said.
    Rosella stared at them. Myrtle would never help her.
    Myrtle had brought her slate with her. She wrote, “Change clothes with me and hide under the covers.”
    Rosella didn’t move. She wondered if she was delirious.
    â€œGo ahead. Do it,” Ethelinda said. “She won’t hurt you.”
    Rosella nodded. She put on Myrtle’s silk nightdress with the gold embroidery and slipped deep under the blankets. Myrtle got into Rosella’s silk nightdress with the silver embroidery.
    Myrtle climbed into Rosella’s bed. She sat up and yodeled, long and loud. A hognose snake wriggled out of her mouth.
    Harold heard her, even though he was at the other end of the palace. He started running, leaping, and skipping toward the sound. “She’s better! She’s well again!” he yelled. And how many jewels did that yodel make? he wondered.
    Ethelinda made the snake disappear. Then she made herself invisible.
    â€œPrecious!” Harold said, coming through the door. He dashed to the bed. “The roses are back in your cheeks. Speak to me!”
    â€œWhat roses?” Myrtle yelled as loud as she could. “I feel terrible.” The head of a boa constrictor filled her mouth.
    Harold jumped back. “Aaaa! What’s that?”
    Rosella lifted a tiny corner of blanket so she could watch. The snake slithered out and wound itself around Myrtle’s waist.
    Myrtle grinned at Harold. “Do you like him? Should I name him after you?” Three hornets flew straight at him. One of them stung him on the nose. The other two buzzed around his head.
    â€œOuch! Wh-what’s going on . . . h-honey pie? Th-that’s a s-snake. Wh-where did the j-jewels go? Why are b-bugs and snakes coming out?”
    This is fun, Myrtle thought. Who’d have thought I could scare a prince?
    Poor Harold, Rosella thought. But it serves him right. He looks so silly. She fought back a giggle and wished she could make a bug come out of her mouth once in a while.
    â€œI’m angry. This is what happens when I get angry.” A scorpion stuck its head out of Myrtle’s mouth.
    â€œYow! Why are you angry? At me? What did I do?”
    â€œIt’s not so great being a princess,” Myrtle yelled.