“Tell about the magic pitcher, or the magic spoon,” cried Molly and Polly!
Then the little dwarf said,
“If you really, truly do not care,
I prefer The Magic Rocking-Chair!”
“Tell us about it! Tell us about it!” cried the Babies.
The little dwarf waited until the Babies were still; then he began the tale of The Magic Rocking-Chair! Here is the story he told:
Once upon a time there was a little boy who lived with his grandparents in the woods.
The grandparents were so old and feeble that the little boy had all the wood to cut and the water to bring in. He was kept busy working from morning till night.
One evening, as his grandparents fell asleep by the fire, the little boy said, “I wish I had some one to play with me. I do wish I could have some fun once in a while!”