J. H. E.
CONTENTS
[PREFACE]
[GOOD LUCK IS BETTER THAN GOLD.]
[THE HILLMAN AND THE HOUSEWIFE.]
[THE NECK.]
[THE NIX IN MISCHIEF.]
[THE COBBLER AND THE GHOSTS.]
[THE LAIRD AND THE MAN OF PEACE.]
[THE OGRE COURTING.]
[THE MAGICIANS' GIFTS.]
[THE WIDOWS AND THE STRANGERS.]
[KIND WILLIAM AND THE WATER SPRITE.]
[MURDOCH'S RATH.]
[THE LITTLE DARNER.]
[THE FIDDLER IN THE FAIRY RING.]
["I WON'T."]
[THE MAGIC JAR.]
[THE FIRST WIFE'S WEDDING-RING.]
[THE MAGICIAN TURNED MISCHIEF-MAKER.]
[KNAVE AND FOOL.]
[UNDER THE SUN.]
OLD-FASHIONED FAIRY TALES.
GOOD LUCK IS BETTER THAN GOLD.
There was once upon a time a child who had Good Luck for his godfather.
"I am not Fortune," said Good Luck to the parents; "I have no gifts to bestow, but whenever he needs help I will be at hand."
"Nothing could be better," said the old couple. They were delighted. But what pleases the father often fails to satisfy the son: moreover, every man thinks that he deserves just a little more than he has got, and does not reckon it to the purpose if his father had less.
Many a one would be thankful to have as good reasons for contentment as he who had Good Luck for his godfather.
If he fell, Good Luck popped something soft in the way to break his fall; if he fought, Good Luck directed his blows, or tripped up his adversary; if he got into a scrape, Good Luck helped him out of it; and if ever Misfortune met him, Good Luck contrived to hustle her on the pathway till his godson got safely by.