No.66 The Old Woman Who Lived in a Vinegar Bottle

Once upon a time a good fairy saw a vinegar bottle. It had a door, some windows and a chimney. The fairy stopped to look at it. Just then the door opened and an old woman came out. The old woman said to the fairy, this vinegar bottle is my home but I don't like it at all, I wish I had a house. I can help you, said the fairy, you can have your wish, walk down the road and you will see a little house. So the old woman walked down the road. There she saw the little house. She opened the door and went in. Then the fairy flew to the house. Old woman, she called, I gave you your wish, now what must you say to me? The old woman came out, but she didn't look happy. This house is too little, she said, I want a big house. So you want a big house, do you? Said the fairy, you can have your wish, walk on down the road and you will see a big house. So the old woman walked on down the road. There she saw the big house. She opened the door and went in. Then the fairy flew to the house. Old woman, she called, I gave you your wish, now what must you say to me? The old woman came out, but she didn't look happy. I don't want a house now, she said, I want a castle. So you want a castle, do you? Said the fairy, you can have your wish, walk on down the road and you will see a castle. The old woman walked on down the road and saw the castle. Now I am happy, she said, this is what I wanted. Good, said the fairy, now what must you say to me? But the old woman would not say it. The fairy was very cross. I gave you a little house. Then I gave you a big house. Then I gave you a castle. But you have not said thank you! So the fairy made the old woman go home to her vinegar bottle.