In a little cottage, not too far from a winding river, lived a mother with her three daughters. Now, these weren't just any daughters! The eldest daughter had only one eye, right in the middle of her forehead, and they called her One-Eye. The youngest daughter had three eyes – two like yours and mine, and an extra one in the middle of her forehead too! They called her Three-Eyes. But the middle daughter, well, she had two eyes, just like everyone else, and her name was Two-Eyes.

Because Two-Eyes looked ordinary, her sisters and even her mother weren't very kind to her. "You're just plain, Two-Eyes!" One-Eye would say. "You can't see as much as I can!" Three-Eyes would boast, winking her extra eye. They made Two-Eyes wear old, patched clothes and eat only the leftover scraps from their meals, while they feasted on the best bits.

Poor Two-Eyes often went hungry. One day, she was sitting in a field, crying because she was so miserable and her tummy rumbled. Suddenly, a kind-looking old woman appeared before her. "Why are you crying, little Two-Eyes?" she asked gently.

Two-Eyes explained how her sisters and mother treated her. The wise woman smiled. "Dry your tears," she said. "I have something for you. See that little goat over there? Just say to it, 'Little goat, bleat, bleat, bring me something good to eat!' and a wonderful meal will appear. When you are finished, say, 'Little goat, bleat, bleat, take the food, make it neat!' and everything will vanish."

Two-Eyes could hardly believe it. She thanked the woman, who then disappeared as quietly as she had come. Two-Eyes went to the little goat and said, "Little goat, bleat, bleat, bring me something good to eat!" Instantly, a little table appeared, covered with a clean white cloth, and on it were the most delicious foods: warm bread, sweet jam, roasted chicken, and fresh milk! Two-Eyes ate until she was perfectly full and happy. Then she said, "Little goat, bleat, bleat, take the food, make it neat!" And poof! The table and food were gone.

Every day, Two-Eyes would go to the field and have her secret feast. She started to look much healthier and happier, and she never ate the scraps her sisters gave her anymore.

Her sisters became suspicious. "Why isn't Two-Eyes eating her crusts?" One-Eye wondered. "She looks quite cheerful," Three-Eyes added, narrowing all three of her eyes.

So, the next day, when Two-Eyes went to the field, One-Eye said, "I'll come with you, Two-Eyes, to keep you company." But Two-Eyes knew One-Eye wanted to spy. As they sat down, Two-Eyes began to sing a little song, "One-Eye, are you awake? One-Eye, are you asleep?" And One-Eye, who wasn't used to being out in the sun for long, grew very sleepy and her single eye closed. Quickly, Two-Eyes called her goat, ate her fill, and sent the table away. When One-Eye woke up, Two-Eyes said, "Oh, you were so sleepy! Let's go home."

The next day, Three-Eyes decided to go. "I'll come with you today, Two-Eyes," she announced. Again, Two-Eyes sang her little song, "Three-Eyes, are you awake? Three-Eyes, are you asleep?" Two of Three-Eyes's eyes closed, but she was clever. She kept her third eye, the one in the middle, just a tiny bit open, pretending to be fast asleep. So, when Two-Eyes called the goat and had her meal, Three-Eyes saw everything!

When they got home, Three-Eyes told her mother and One-Eye all about the magic goat. They were furious and jealous! The very next morning, the mother took a big knife and, very sadly for the little goat, she ended its magic.

Poor Two-Eyes was heartbroken. She went to the field and cried and cried. The kind old woman appeared again. "Don't weep, Two-Eyes," she said. "I will help you. Take this tiny, shiny seed. Bury it in the ground in front of your cottage door."

Two-Eyes did as she was told. She buried the seed, and overnight, a magnificent tree grew! It had leaves of pure silver and apples of shining gold. It was the most beautiful tree anyone had ever seen.

The mother and sisters were amazed. "Quick, One-Eye, climb up and get some of those golden apples!" cried the mother. One-Eye tried, but every time she reached for an apple, the branch would swing away. Then Three-Eyes tried. "Let me, I can see better!" she boasted. But the branches dodged her too. No matter how hard they tried, they couldn't pick a single golden apple.

Just then, a handsome young knight on a fine horse rode by. He saw the amazing tree and stopped. "Whose wonderful tree is this?" he asked. "If I could have just one branch of it, I would be so happy!"

One-Eye and Three-Eyes pushed forward. "It's our tree! We'll get you a branch!" they both shouted, trying to impress the knight. But still, the branches moved away from them.

The knight looked puzzled. "This is strange," he said. "If it's your tree, why can't you pick its fruit?"

Two-Eyes had been hiding behind the door, too scared to come out. But the knight noticed her peeking. "And who are you, little one?" he asked kindly.

"Oh, that's just our plain sister, Two-Eyes," said One-Eye dismissively. "She's no use."

But the knight said, "Perhaps she can try."

Two-Eyes shyly came forward. As soon as she reached up, a branch laden with golden apples bent down right into her hand. She easily picked a beautiful golden apple.

The knight was delighted. "You must be very special, Two-Eyes," he said. "A girl who can pick fruit from such a magical tree is the one for me!" He lifted Two-Eyes onto his horse. "Come with me to my castle, and you shall never be sad or hungry again."

Two-Eyes happily went with the knight, and they had a grand wedding. She lived in a beautiful castle, always had plenty to eat, and wore lovely clothes. The silver and gold tree, believe it or not, uprooted itself and followed her to the castle garden, so she always had its magical fruit.

As for One-Eye and Three-Eyes, with Two-Eyes gone, their meanness didn't bring them any happiness. The beautiful tree vanished from their garden, and they learned that being unkind leaves you with nothing at all. And Two-Eyes, who was once so sad, lived happily ever after.

1543 Views