The Poodle turns into a Golden Dog.
The same thing happened at luncheon, at dinner, tea and supper. Lady Elizabeth was starving. In the evening another remarkable event took place. She happened to touch the pet poodle, when it immediately became a golden dog. The Earl, at this, became more nervous than ever, and shrieked whenever his daughter came near him. The servants shunned her, too, fearful of the consequences of touching her. Poor Elizabeth; a more unhappy girl did not go to bed that night! But she had eaten the Magic Fish and wished for gold, and her wish had been fulfilled.
The same happened the next day. Crowds of people came from far and near to see the wonder of the age, and while they wondered, Lady Elizabeth was slowly starving to death.
“Oh,” she cried, “if only I could be like an ordinary girl again. I vow I would never be discontented any more. I would do my best to be cheerful and never, never grumble again.”
As she made this vow there came a peal of thunder, and of a sudden the golden water, the golden bread, jam, butter, and even the eggs the Magicians had taken for their travelling expenses, turned back into their natural state. And to the joy of Lady Elizabeth, her father, and the people who loved her, she once more could work, eat, and drink again.
From that day to this she was never discontented, and never once longed for the gold which was hers for so short a while.
By the way, I was nearly forgetting to say that the pet poodle did not turn into a live dog again. He remained a golden one, and made an exceedingly handsome ornament for the fireplace.
