"But what did Merlin say when he gave you the necklace?"
"He said it was a present for a truthful—"
She could not go on speaking. The necklace became so short that it nearly choked her.
"O dear, no!" sobbed Pearl. "He said I did not love the truth, nor speak the truth."
The girls did not laugh now. They were sorry for Pearl when they saw her weeping.
At last Pearl was cured. She saw how wrong and how foolish it is to tell falsehoods. "Never more will I tell a lie," said she. And she kept her word.
Before the year was ended Merlin came for his necklace. He knew that Pearl did not need it now, and he wanted it for another little girl.
Since Merlin died, no one can tell what has become of the wonderful Necklace of Truth. Would you like to wear it? Are you sure the diamond would always keep bright?
—From "Old Fairy Tales."