Folktales; Ashey Pelt and the Three Golden Balls
Folktales; Ashey Pelt and the Three Golden Balls
by M. Damant
Folklore, Vol. 6, No. 3 (Sep., 1895), pp. 305-308
The Three Golden Balls.
Told by a young woman, a native of Romsey, aged about 21.
There was once an old woman who lived with her husband and her three little daughters. One was named Pepper, one Salt, and one Mustard. One day their father told them he was going to the fair, and he asked them what he should bring them home, and they all said, "A golden ball each." Their father then wished them good-bye, and set off. In the evening he returned, and brought each of them a golden ball, which they got up early next morning to play with. Their mother told them that if they lost them she would hang them up on the gallows-tree. They were very happy playing, when little Pepper began to cry. Her sisters asked her what was the matter, and she told them she had lost her ball. They dared not go home because of their mother.
But, alas! it got so late that they went home. Their mother, seeing that little Pepper was crying, asked what ailed her; and she said, "I have lost my ball." And the mother, in her anger, hung her up on the gallows-tree. Next day the father went to her, and she said-
"Oh, father, have you found my ball,
Or have you paid my fee,
Or have you come to take me down
From this old gallows-tree ?"
And he replied-
"I have not found your golden ball,
Nor have I paid your fee,
Nor have I come to take you down
From this old gallows-tree."
Bye-and-bye her two sisters came to see her, and she said-
"Oh, sisters, have you found my ball,
Or have you paid my fee,
Or have you come to take me down
From this old gallows-tree?"
And they made the very same answer as the father had given. So poor little Pepper had to stop there all night. The next day brought her better luck. Her sweetheart came to see her, and she asked-
"Oh, Charlie! have you found my ball? " &c., &c.
and he replied-
"'Tis I have found your golden ball,
And I have paid your fee,
And I am come to take you down
From this old gallows-tree."
Then her sweetheart cut her down, and they were changed into two little birds. Soon after her father came and heard two little voices up in the tree asking-
"Oh, father ! have you found my ball," &c., &c.
On hearing this, the father ran away very frightened; and his wicked wife and two little daughters came against the tree, and heard the little voices say the same words. All of a sudden they heard a great rustling of leaves, and looking up, they saw the forms of little Pepper and her sweetheart flying to the ground. And they all went home, and lived a great many years.
M. DAMANT.
Lammas, Cowes, I. of Wight.