WHITE CAROLINE AND BLACK CAROLINE
A FLEMISH FAIRY TALE
Come, come, Caroline,
White, white, child o' mine!
I hate you, HATE you,
And, at any rate, you
Are no child o' mine!
Come, come, Caroline,
Black, black, child o' mine!
I bore you, adore you.
Will give whatever more you
Want, O child o' mine!
Once upon a time there was a mother who had two daughters, both named Caroline. People called one 'White Caroline,' because she was so beautiful. But her mother could not see it, because the child was not really her own. The other was called 'Black Caroline' by the people, because she was so ugly. Black Caroline was the favourite of her mother, and received everything she could desire.
Now one day it so happened that an old shepherd was passing by, and with him he had three little lambs; and he smiled on seeing White Caroline, and he caressed her head, and the little lambs came close and rubbed themselves against her little white dress. White Caroline was exceedingly pleased with all this. Now Black Caroline, standing on the winding stairs, also wanted to see; and, coming to the door, she half opened it. But as soon as the old shepherd saw her face, he turned and started on his way, and the three little lambs bleated and beat their heads together, because Black Caroline was so ugly;—but she was good all the same!
15
