O Coelho

Era uma vez uma rainha que olhou pela janela do palácio e viu um homem a passar na rua a vender flores. Pediu à sua dama de honor que fosse comprá-las. A dama comprou-as e plantou-as no jardim. A rainha ia todos os dias ver como cresciam. Um dia, enquanto passeava no jardim, viu um coelho a correr. Pediu à dama que o apanhasse. A dama agarrou-o e atou-o com a sua jarreteira. Mas enquanto continuavam o passeio, o coelho escapou, levando a jarreteira.

Once there was a queen who looked out of the palace window and saw a man passing in the street selling flowers. She asked her lady-in-waiting to go and buy them. The maid bought them and planted them in the garden. The queen went every day to see how they grew. One day, while walking in the garden, she saw a rabbit running. She asked her maid to catch it. The maid grabbed it and tied it with her garter. But while they continued their walk, the rabbit escaped, taking the garter with it.

No dia seguinte, à mesma hora, a princesa voltou ao jardim e tornou a ver o mesmo coelho. Desta vez a dama atou-o com um lenço. Mas o coelho voltou a escapar com o lenço. Na terceira vez, a princesa tirou o colar de ouro com o retrato do rei e pediu à dama que atasse o coelho com ele, pois assim podiam passear sem preocupação. Mas o coelho fugiu de novo, levando o colar e o retrato. A princesa ficou tão desolada que adoeceu de tristeza.

The next day at the same hour, the princess returned to the garden and again saw the same rabbit. This time the maid tied it with a handkerchief. But the rabbit again escaped with the handkerchief. On the third occasion, the princess removed her gold necklace with the king's portrait and asked the maid to tie the rabbit with it, so they could walk without worry. But the rabbit fled again, taking the necklace and portrait. The princess was so desolate she fell ill with grief.