The maiden took the flax from Betty’s hands and twined it around the stem of a slender birch tree and she took the spindle and began to spin.
Betty stopped crying and was amazed because before the sun had set, the maiden spun the yarn not only for that day, but even for the day before.
The maiden smiled and handed over the spool to Betty. “Remember, my words, reel and grumble not.”
After saying that, the maiden nearly vanished from there.
But Betty was happy. She realized that even her dancing had not caused any harm and she was determined that if the maiden came the next day, she would dance with her.
Betty happily sang and went home with her goats.
But her mother was annoyed. “Why did you not finish your task yesterday, Betty?”
Betty shook her head. “Yesterday I danced a little too long.” Betty’s eyes brightened. “But I have made up for it today.”
On seeing the yarn, Betty’s mother said nothing else.
Betty wanted to tell her mother about the maiden and her adventures in the forest, but finally Betty decided against it. She decided that if the maiden came again, she would ask the maiden who she was and then after learning everything, Betty decided to tell her mother everything.
So the third day too Betty went to the forest with her goats and she spun and sang at the same time.
At mid-day, after her meal, when Betty was about to start dancing, the maiden appeared again.
Adapted from Slavonic Folktales
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