ONCE UPON A TIME.
Once upon a time—that I remember—into a blind-man's eye—a fly went—and I thought—that it was a quail—wretched blind-man—go away from here!
ONE AND ANOTHER.
Fiaba, aba—Questa xe una—Muro e malta—Questa xe un' altra, Story, ory—This is one—Wall and mud—This is another.
"A long one and a short one,
Do you wish me to tell you a long one?
This is the finger and this is the nail.
Do you wish me to tell you a short one?
This is the finger and this the end of it."
[2] Pitrè, No. 141. In the notes to this story are given some more of this class.
"Once upon a time there was a page who drew three carts: one of wine, one of bread, and one of relishes.... And once upon a time there was a page."
Some poetical versions are given in the same place from various parts of Italy.
"Once upon a time,
An old man and an old woman
Were on top of a mountain...
Be quiet, for I am going to tell you it."
—Naples.