Andrew Lang

All that he had left was a little house in a desolate place at least a hundred leagues from the town in which he had lived, and to this he was forced to retreat with his children, who were in despair at the idea of leading such a different life.

As he had, however, six sons and six daughters, he found that his money was not too much to let them all have everything they fancied, as they were accustomed to do.

Once upon a time, in a very far-off country, there lived a merchant who had been so fortunate in all his undertakings that he was enormously rich.

That is to eat thee up.

Grandmamma, what great teeth you have got!

That is to hear the better, my child.

Grandmamma, what great ears you have got!

That is the better to hug thee, my dear.

Grandmamma, what great arms you have got!

Pull the bobbin, and the latch will go up.

The Wolf began to run as fast as he could, taking the nearest way, and the little girl went by that farthest about, diverting herself in gathering nuts, running after butterflies, and making nosegays of such little flowers as she met with.

I am going to see my grandmamma and carry her a custard and a little pot of butter from my mamma.

Once upon a time there lived in a certain village a little country girl, the prettiest creature was ever seen.

How are we to face our queen, said the three mice, when by our folly we have lost the talisman and condemned our people to be utterly exterminated?

He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp posts – for support rather than illumination.

No, indeed, cried the mouse with the cropped ears; the credit is mine.

Which of us deserves the most credit? they cried all at once.

Atisha! atisha! sneezed the old man, but he did not wake, and the shock made the bronze ring jump out of his mouth.

What is to be done? said the Queen.