Generic name of story.—(Not to be filled up.)
Specific name of story.—The Woman of Paste.
Dramatis personæ—(1) Beautiful woman of paste; (2) woman who makes her; (3) three fairies; (4) Prince; (5) Prince's second wife; (6) his third wife; (7) his fourth wife ; (8) servant.
Thread of story.—Woman goes to bake bread—has more meal than she requires—makes a life-size figure of a beautiful woman in paste1.—figure is drying at the window—three fairies go by-give life to figure—woman who made her, glad—treats her as daughter. Prince sees beautiful girl at window-goes in2—talks with her-proposes to marry her—goes home to prepare—the three fairies come and tell girl not to laugh at the wedding feast or a great misfortune will happen. At feast bride is serious—refuses to laugh-so prince sends her home and marries a princess instead3—but sends woman of paste some dainties from feast-table—woman of paste says "spark alight," and "frying-pan, fry!"—her words are obeyed-she stirs with her hands in the pan—it is full of splendid fish which she sends in return to the prince [now called king]. Servant, who takes them, tells what he has seen—king's bride Professes she can do the same—at king's command tries, fails. King takes another wife, again sends dainties to first wife—who makes beautiful pastry in a red-hot oven, so heated simply at her word of command—she sends pastry to king. Servant tells what he has seen—the new bride tries to do the same, fails. King takes another bride—again sends dainties to woman of paste—servant, on arrival, looks through keyhole, sees woman with her head in her lap making curls—having finished, she replaces head on her shoulders, goes down with servant to beach, cuts off her little finger, throws it into the sea, with command to bring back a, ring-it returns with splendid ring—servant carries ring to king, and tells what he has seen—the new bride tries to do the same, fails, dies—king goes to woman of paste, brings her back as queen-she then laughs as much as he could wish.
Incidental circumstances.
- Figure is put to dry in the sun by day, on the oven by night.
- Having obtained permission from her "mother."
- Who is ugly and stupid, but laugjs as much as he likes.
Where published.—Tuscan Fairy Tales, London, (1880), No. 4, pp. 31-42.
Nature of collection, whether:-
Original or translation.—Translation of original taken down from mouth of native narrator.
If by word of mouth, state narrator's name.—Not given.
Other particulars.—Story comes from Barga in the Garfagnana.
Special points noted by the Editor of the above.—Nil.
(Signed)Geo. L. Apperson,
