THE LITTLE MAID WHO WAS WISE
The Story of a Robber Who was Outwitted
Long ago there lived a merchant who had three daughters. Every year at a certain day of a certain month he went away to a distant city to collect money on an account. His wife and daughters remained at home, and all went well until one sad day the wife died. That year the merchant looked forward to his journey with dread for he would have to leave his daughters alone.
"I cannot bear to go away," he said to them. "My heart is filled with fear lest some evil may befall you during my absence."
He worried about the matter night and day. The business was most important and there was no one whom he could send to transact it for him.
However, the question of leaving three such pretty girls unprotected was a thing not to be regarded lightly.
"Do not be afraid to leave us, dear father," said his daughters. "Nothing will harm us while you are away."
"How do you know?" asked their father. "I am older and wiser than you are and I know that there are many evils which might come upon you. There are many bold thieves in this city, for instance, who would be only too ready to take advantage of my absence and rob my home of all I possess."
"We can lock ourselves securely in the house and not let any one enter," said the three daughters.