CANNETELLA There was once upon a time a king who reigned over a country called ` Bello Puojo . ' He was very rich and powerful , and had everything in the world he could desire except a child . But at last , after he had been married for many years , and was quite an old man , his wife Renzolla presented him with a fine daughter , whom they called Cannetella . She grew up into a beautiful girl , and was as tall and straight as a young fir-tree . When she was eighteen years old her father called her to him and said : ` You are of an age now , my daughter , to marry and settle down ; but as I love you more than anything else in the world , and desire nothing but your happiness , I am determined to leave the choice of a husband to yourself . Choose a man after your own heart , and you are sure to satisfy me . ' Cannetella thanked her father very much for his kindness and consideration , but told him that she had not the slightest wish to marry , and was quite determined to remain single . The king , who felt himself growing old and feeble , and longed to see an heir to the throne before he died , was very unhappy at her words , and begged her earnestly not to disappoint him . When Cannetella saw that the king had set his heart on her marriage , she said : ` Very well , dear father , I will marry to please you , for I do not wish to appear ungrateful for all your love and kindness ; but you must find me a husband handsomer , cleverer , and more charming than anyone else in the world . ' The king was overjoyed by her words , and from early in the morning till late at night he sat at the window and looked carefully at all the passers-by , in the hopes of finding a son-in-law among them . One day , seeing a very good-looking man crossing the street , the king called his daughter and said : ` Come quickly , dear Cannetella , and look at this man , for I think he might suit you as a husband . ' They called the young man into the palace , and set a sumptuous feast before him , with every sort of delicacy you can imagine . In the middle of the meal the youth let an almond fall out of his mouth , which , however , he picked up again very quickly and hid under the table-cloth . When the feast was over the stranger went away ' , and the king asked Cannetella : ` Well , what did you think of the youth ? ' ' I think he was a clumsy wretch , ' replied Cannetella . ` Fancy a-man of his age letting an almond fall out of his mouth ! ' When the king heard her answer he returned to his watch at the window , and shortly afterwards a very handsome young man passed by . The king instantly called his daughter to come and see what she thought of the new comer . ` Call him in , ' said Cannetella , ` that we may see him close . ' Another splendid feast was prepared , and when the stranger had eaten and drunk as much as he was able , and had taken his departure , the king asked Cannetella how she liked him .
` Not at all , ' replied his daughter ; ` what could you do with a man who requires XXXXX least two servants to help him on with his cloak , because he is too awkward to put it on properly himself ? '
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