I.
| Merlin | fault | necklace | clasp |
| habit | wizard | untruths | shame |
There was once a little girl named Pearl, who had a bad habit of telling untruths. For a long time her father and mother did not know this. But at last they found that she very often said things that were not true.
Now, at this time—for it was long, long ago—there lived a wonderful man named Merlin. He could do such strange things, and he was so very wise, that he was called a wizard.
Merlin was a great lover of truth. For this reason children who told untruths were often brought to him, so that he might cure them of their fault.
"Let us take our child to the wonderful wizard." said Pearl's father.
And the mother said, "Yes, let us take her to Merlin. He will cure her!" So Pearl's parents went to the glass palace where Merlin lived.
When they reached Merlin's palace, the wise old man said, "I know very well what is the matter with your child; she does not love the truth."
Poor Pearl hid her head with shame and fear. But Merlin said, "Do not be afraid. I am only going to make you a present."
Then the wizard opened a drawer and took from it a lovely necklace with a diamond clasp. This he put on Pearl's neck, and told her parents to go home happy, for the little girl would soon be cured.
As they were going away, Merlin looked at Pearl, and said, "In a year from now I shall come for my necklace. Till then you must not dare to take it off."