HOW DIFFERENT WE ARE - Kompalita

I Latvia The Little Orphan and
the Mother’s Daughter
Once upon a time there was a poor little orphan who
had to serve a grumpy mistress. The poor thing, no matter what she
did, it was never good enough for the mistress. Once the mistress made
the orphan go and spin wool by the well. But while spinning the wool,
a thread broke and a spindle fell into the well. Well, there was nothing
she could do – she went to the mistress and told how sorry she was, that
it was an accident. But the mistress stamped on the ground and yelled:
“So you’re telling me it was an accident? Go straightway after the
the spindle or you will get a spank!’’.
The poor little orphan went crying to the well and jumped into
it, not interested in what might happen or if she’s going to survive or
not. But what a miracle! When she jumped, she jumped all the way
through the well to a green meadow. And in this meadow a swine
shepherd was looking after swines.
“Hei, the kind boy, have you seen my spindle?’’
“Yes, I have seen it – an old man just took it away. Just go straight,
you’ll probably catch up with him!’’
The little orphan proceeded forward. After a while she saw a cow
shepherd.
“Hei, the kind shepherd, have you seen a man with a spindle?’’
8