This she did with so much spirit that all the guests listened with breathless interest . But while she was thus enjoying herself with the King and her sisters , the King of the Sheep was waiting impatiently for the time of her return , and when it came and went , and no Princess appeared , his anxiety became so great that he could bear it no longer . `` She is not coming back any more , '' he cried . `` My miserable sheep 's face displeases her , and without Miranda what is left to me , wretched creature that I am ! Oh ! cruel Ragotte ; my punishment is complete . '' For a long time he bewailed his sad fate like this , and then , seeing that it was growing dark , and that still there was no sign of the Princess , he set out as fast as he could in the direction of the town . When he reached the palace he asked for Miranda , but by this time everyone had heard the story of her adventures , and did not want her to go back again to the King of the Sheep , so they refused sternly to let him see her . In vain he begged and prayed them to let him in ; though his entreaties might have melted hearts of stone they did not move the guards of the palace , and at last , quite broken-hearted , he fell dead at their feet . In the meantime the King , who had not the least idea of the sad thing that was happening outside the gate of his palace , proposed to Miranda that she should be driven in her chariot all round the town , which was to be illuminated with thousands and thousands of torches , placed in windows and balconies , and in all the grand squares . But what a sight met her eyes at the very entrance of the palace ! There lay her dear , kind sheep , silent and motionless , upon the pavement ! She threw herself out of the chariot and ran to him , crying bitterly , for she realized that her broken promise had cost him his life , and for a long , long time she was so unhappy that they thought she would have died too . So you see that even a princess is not always happy -- especially if she forgets to keep her word ; and the greatest misfortunes often happen to people just as they think they have obtained their heart 's desires ! -LRB- 1 -RRB- -LRB- 1 -RRB- Madame d'Aulnoy . LITTLE THUMB There was , once upon a time , a man and his wife fagot-makers by trade , who had several children , all boys . The eldest was but ten years old , and the youngest only seven . They were very poor , and their seven children incommoded them greatly , because not one of them was able to earn his bread . That which gave them yet more uneasiness was that the youngest was of a very puny constitution , and scarce ever spoke a word , which made them take that for stupidity which was a sign of good sense . He was very little , and when born no bigger than one 's thumb , which made him be called Little Thumb .
The poor child bore the blame of whatsoever was done amiss in the house , and , guilty or not , was always in the wrong ; he was , notwithstanding , more cunning and had a far greater share of wisdom than all his brothers put together ; and , if he spake little , he XXXXX and thought the more .
bewailed called displeases earn enjoying happening heard let made thought