Under-Cap

(Unedited)

A long time ago there were three sisters who lived in the branches of an old oak tree. These sisters were only as tall as your knee so the oldest sister was named Over-Cap, the middle sister was named Knee-Cap and the the youngest sister was named Under-Cap. And because Under-Cap was the smallest, and also the most beautiful, she was hated by her sisters. And at night, if one of the older sisters was in a bad mood, they would kick Under-Cap and pull her hair.

Now the three sisters spent most of their day dancing in the branches. And even though there was no music, the dancing was quite magnificent. The birds and forest animals would come to watch the sisters dance. Under-Cap was the best dancer of the three, but because her sisters were jealous they told her she was the worst. They reminded her of this every chance they got. And since there was no one around to tell her any different, she believed them.

One day Under-Cap was dancing when she saw an apple sitting among a bunch of leaves. She thought it strange that an apple would be found in an oak tree, but it was a fine looking apple so she picked it up. She could have eaten it right away, but she was a thoughtful girl and brought it down to share with her sisters.

"Over-Cap! Knee-Cap! Someone has thrown an apple in our tree!" The older sisters laughed. "You ugly fool!" shouted Over-Cap, "Why would anyone throw an apple into a tree?" Then Knee-Cap joined in. "You're so dim-witted that you don't even know that apples grow on trees." But before Under-Cap could say anything, Over-Cap and Knee-Cap took the apple and ate it all up, without sharing any of it with thier sister.

The next day the three sisters were dancing on a branch when a handsome young man passed below, riding a beautiful horse. The sisters stopped dancing and hid in the leaves. They were embarrassed about being so small. But the young man had already seen the tiny sisters and called up to them, "Who are you I see dancing in the branches of this old tree? Will you not come out again and dance to my flute?" The young man took out his flute and played a tune.

All three sisters wanted to dance to the music, but Over-Cap and Knee-Cap wouldn't let Under-Cap go out. "You'll embarrass us with your ugly dancing. It's best if you just stay hidden." Under-Cap did as she was told and watched her sisters dance merrily to the young man's music. Then something stange happened. Her sisters began to swell and turn red. And soon they were the shape of apples and could no longer dance. The apples fell to the ground, where the young man picked them up and put them in his bag.

He then called up to Under-Cap. "Under-Cap! I have loved you for a long time and I wish to make you my bride. It was I who threw the apple into the tree yesterday. I knew you would share it with your sisters, and I knew that your sisters would eat it all without sharing it with you. It was enchanted and whoever ate it would turn into an apple when they heard my song. But to tell you the truth; I haven't much changed them, as they were rotten apples to begin with."

Under-Cap came out from her hiding and called down to the young man. "I cannot marry you, for I only come up to your knee." The young man smiled, "Don't worry. Come with me to meet my father and by the time you reach my castle, you shall be a proper height." (The young man was a prince, you see)

So Under-Cap jumped down and went with the young man. They rode all day and soon Under-Cap got hungry. She didn't want to be a burdon, so she kept silent. But soon her stomach growled and couldn't hide her hunger any longer. "Here," said the Prince, "eat this." And he handed Under-Cap an apple. "This isn't Over-Cap, is it?" "No." So Under-Cap ate it gratefully.

They rode all night, and soon Under-Cap was hungry again. Her stomach growled, and the Prince gave her another apple. "This isn't Knee-Cap, is it?" "No." So Under-Cap ate it.

Finally they arrived at the castle. But Under-Cap refused to go inside because she was self-consious about her size. The Prince laughed. "Haven't you noticed? You're three times as tall as you used to be." And the Prince was right. So Under-Cap went into the castle and was married. And they were very happy together because the Prince never told her that when she asked if the apple was Over-Cap, it was Knee-Cap. And when she asked if the apple was Knee-Cap, it was Over-Cap .

 

The End.