LITHUANIA’S FOLK TALE A GOOD WITCH A GIRL

A GOOD WITCH A GIRL In the middle of the woods there was an old oak. And there was a great stone under that old oak. A Good Witch, who was living in the woods, liked sitting and resting under the oak.

Once a good witch was sittting on the stone under the old oak and saw a girl picking herbs nearby. -Can you come nearer me, girl,- a Good old Witch said. The girl came up to the unknown old woman. She was poorly dressed and had various herbs in her basket. -Why are you picking them up? - asked she. -From those herbs I‘m going to make medicine for my sick mother. With this herb- tea I am treating my Mum. My mother has been sick for a long time and she keeps to her bed. What ails her? - asked the Good Witch. -I don‘t know and my Mum doesn‘t know either. She is very weak. I am treating her with that herb-tea but she is not feeling better. -I know the medicine which can cure your mother.

-Oh, granny, be so kind and tell me the name of the medicine -Oh, granny, be so kind and tell me the name of the medicine. Where can I get them? -Well, I‘ll tell you, but for that you will have to do three good jobs. -I will do all you ask, I will give all you want to make my mother feel better. -So listen! At home you have a nice white dove which you love very much. Give it to me. Then bring me your goat which gives you milk every day. And when your mother is well, you will have to come to my home and live there for a year. It would be hard because you will have to work much...Do you agree with that, will you be able to bear everything?

The girl thought for a while and said: -Of course, I will do everything to cure my mother. I could work for two years and even more if my Mummy gets well. Please, cure my mother... -I see how much you love your mother,- said the Good Witch and patted the girl‘s head. -I was just joking when I asked you to give me your dove, goat and work for a year‘s time at my home. There are three red grains which you have to give one by one to your mother every morning. Soon she will feel better. Now, hurry home and treat your mother.

Some days passed and the girl‘s mother recovered Some days passed and the girl‘s mother recovered. The girl was so happy that she wanted to thank the good old woman. She went back to the great stone under the old oak but she couldn‘t thank her. There was nobody. The old Good Witch was gone...