Good evening, children. It's Granny Madduff, ready with a story. So make yourselves

comfy and I'll begin. Once upon a time there lived a peasant and his daughter. He was called

Hildebrand and he was a farmer, but his land was very small,

only the tiniest of wheat fields. His daughter, who was called Magnolia, Mags for short,

took care of the house and tended to their three goats. Mags and Hildebrand lived happily with what little they had.

They were always at each other's side.

One day, when Max was picking berries on her own in the woods,

she met a young man who had just been for a swim in the river.

He was quite taken with her, and she with him.

His name was Daniel.

He asked to see her again.

But she dared not.

If her father found out, she should be in trouble, for he wanted her to marry the miller's son who lived just down the road. Her father fancied that if they wed, he could

strike up a business with the miller and soon buy more land to grow more wheat. I am to marry,

she said. Please, allow marry, she said.

Please, allow me just one day.

Daniel begged.

Father will know, she said, and I shouldn't like to upset him.

I have a plan.

On Sunday, do not go out. Say you have taken ill and stay home, he said. Daniel went

straight to the parson and begged him to make a very particular sermon on Sunday at church.

The parson, being quite fond of Daniel, agreed.

...