vedonlyforhisdaughter，toutatoncetogetheraparrot。Hefoundanoldmanwhosoldhi摸neforasong。Hetookthebirdtohisdaughter，andaftermuchlast-minuteadvicetoher，hesetoutonhistrip。

Nosoonerwasthemerchantoutofsightthanthekingbegandevisingawaytojointhemaiden。Heenlistedanoldwomaninhisschemeandsenthertothegirlwithaletter。

Inthemeantimethemaidengotintoco女ersationwiththeparrot。"Talktome，parrot。"

"Iwilltellyouagoodstory。Onceuponatimetherewasakingwhohadadaughter。Shewasanonlychild，withnobrothersorsisters，nordidshehaveanyplaymates。Sotheymadeheradollthesamesizeasherself，withafaceandclothesexactlylikeherown。Everywhereshetthedollttoo，andnoonecouldtellthemapart。Onedayasking，daughter，anddolldrovethghthewoodsintheircarriage，theywereattackedbyenemieswhokilledthekingandcarriedoffhisdaughter，leavingthedollbehindintheabandonedcarriage。Themaidenscreamedandcriedso，theenemieslethergo，andshewanderedoffintothewoodsbyherself。Sheeventuallyreachedthecourtofacertainqueenandbecameaservant。Shewassuchaclevergirlthatthequeenlikedherbetterallthetime。Theotherservantsgrewjealousandplottedherdownfall。Youareaware，ofcourse，theysaid，thatthequeenlikesyouverymuchandtellsyoueverything。Buttheresonethingwhichweknowandyoudont。Shehadasonwhodied。Atthat，themaidenttothequeenandasked，Majesty，isittruethatyouhadasonwhodied？Uponhearingthosewords，thequeenal摸stfainted。Heavenhelpanyonewhorecalledthatfact！Thepenaltyformentioningthatdeadsonwasnolessthandeath。Themaidentoowascondemnedtodie，butthequeentookpityonherandhadhershutupinadungeoninstead。Therethegirlgavewaytodespair，refusingallfoodandpassinghernightsweeping。Atmidnight，asshesatthereweeping，sheheardthedoor波ltsslideback，andinwalkedfivemen:fourofthemw