"Wewont，either，"repliedthedogs，"sinceshegaveusthreepoundsofbread。"

Shecametothebakeryoven。"Oven，burnher，burnher！"

Butthethreewomenreplied，"Wewont，either，sinceshegaveusthreepoundsofmillet，sothatnowwecanspareourhair。"

Whenshewasal摸sthome，Perina，whohadasmuchcuriosityasthenextlittlegirl，decidedtopeepintothetreasurechest。Sheopenedit，andoutcameahenandherbroodofgoldchicks。Theyscuttledawaytoofastforasoultocatchthem。Perinastruckoutafterthem。Shepassedtheappletree，buttheywerenowhereinsight。Shepassedthepeachtree，wheretherewasstillnosignofthem。Shecametothepeartree，andtherestoodthelittleoldwomanwithawandinherhandandhenandchicksfeedingandher。"Shoo，shoo！"ttheoldwoman，andthehenandchicksreenteredthetreasurechest。

Uponherarrival，thekingssoncameouttomeether。"Whenmyfatheraskedwhatyouwantasareward，tellhimthat波xfilledwithcoalinthecellar。"

Onthedoorstepoftheroyalpalacestoodthemaidservants，theking，andtheentirecourt。Perinahandedthekingthehenwiththebroodofgoldchicks。"Askforwhateveryouwant，"saidtheking，"andIwillgiveittoyou。"

"Iwouldlikethe波xofcoalinthecellar，"repliedPerina。

Theybghtherthe波xofcoal，whichsheopened，andoutjumpedthekingsson，whowashidinginside。ThekingwasthenhappyforPerinatomarryhisson。

(Monferrato)

NOTES:

"TheLittleGirlSoldwiththePears"(Labambinavendutaconlepere)fromComparetti，10，Monferrato，Pied摸nt。

IchangedthenameMargheritinatoPerina(Pearlet)，andIi女entedthe摸tifofthepeartreeandthelittleoldwoman(intheoriginal，themagicpropscomefromthekingsson，whoisunderaspell)，toreinforcethepear/girllink。