Here are the yarns which you washed . Take them and weave them into a web that is as smooth as a king 's robe , and see that it is spun by the time that the sun sets . ' ` This is the easiest thing I have been set to do , ' thought the girl , who was a good spinner . But when she began she found that the skein tangled and broke every moment . ` Oh , I can never do it ! ' she cried at last , and leaned her head against the loom and wept ; but at that instant the door opened , and there entered , one behind another , a procession of cats . ` What is the matter , fair maiden ? ' asked they . And the girl answered : ` My mistress has given me this yarn to weave into a piece of cloth , which must be finished by sunset , and I have not even begun yet , for the yarn breaks whenever I touch it . ' ` If that is all , dry your eyes , ' said the cats ; ` we will manage it for you . ' And they jumped on the loom , and wove so fast and so skilfully that in a very short time the cloth was ready and was as fine as any king ever wore . The girl was so delighted at the sight of it that she gave each cat a kiss on his forehead as they left the room behind one the other as they had come . ` Who has taught you this wisdom ? ' asked the old woman , after she had passed her hands twice or thrice over the cloth and could find no roughness anywhere . But the girl only smiled and did not answer . She had learned early the value of silence . After a few weeks the old woman sent for her maid and told her that as her year of service was now up , she was free to return home , but that , for her part , the girl had served her so well that she hoped she might stay with her . But at these words the maid shook her head , and answered gently : ' I have been happy here , Madam , and I thank you for your goodness to me ; but I have left behind me a stepsister and a stepmother , and I am fain to be with them once more . ' The old woman looked at her for a moment , and then she said : ` Well , that must be as you like ; but as you have worked faithfully for me I will give you a reward . Go now into the loft above the store house and there you will find many caskets .
Choose the one which pleases you best , but be careful not to open it till you have XXXXX it in the place where you wish it to remain . '
answered broke give leaned set smiled thank washed wept wove