There was once upon a time a King and Queen who were perfectly happy,
with one exception, and that was that they had no child.

One day when the Queen was staying in a watering-place, some distance
from home, she was sitting by a fountain alone, sadly thinking of the
daughter she longed to have, when she perceived a crab coming in her
direction, who, to the Queen's surprise, addressed her thus:

"Great Queen, if you will condescend to be conducted by a humble
crab, I will lead you to a Fairies' palace and your wish shall be
fulfilled."

"I would certainly come with you," replied the Queen, "but I am afraid
that I cannot walk backwards."

The crab smiled, and transforming herself into a beautiful little old
woman, said:

"Now, madam, it is not necessary to go backwards. Come with me, and
I beg of you to look upon me as your friend." She then escorted the
Queen to the most magnificent palace that could possibly be imagined,
it was built entirely of diamonds.

In this superb place dwelt six Fairies who received the Queen with
the greatest respect, and each one presented her with a flower made of
precious stones--a rose, tulip, an anemone, a columbine, a violet, and
a carnation.

"Madam," they said, "we have pleasure in telling you that soon you