The old adage, “Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts
absolutely” can refer to the poor as well as the rich.
A poor broom-seller, marries a wealthy man and becomes cruel
and consumed by hate. She wrecks the life of his sister, her
kind and generous benefactor, and consequently ruins her own
and her husband’s. However, magic, virtue, and intelligence
triumph in the end.
A widower, about to die, called to his bedside his two children,
a boy and a girl. "Listen carefully," he said, "I'm
going to die soon but I want you to live happily even when I'm
gone. The children wept at the bad news for they loved their
father very much. "For your inheritance," he continued,
"I leave you three things, a valuable pearl necklace which
belonged to your mother, a fine horse in the stable, and a dog
to guard the house. Remember, you must take care of them, for
without them you will have nothing but misfortune.
A few days later he died, and was buried with honors. The brother
conducted his business, his sister took care of the house, and
they lived in peace and harmony with each other. One day, as
she prepared dinner in the kitchen there came a knock on the
door. When she opened it, there stood a little girl selling
brooms. Feeling sorry for her, the sister asked her in. 'You're
such a little girl," she said, "Why do you sell brooms?"
"Please, kind lady," said the girl, "I have no
mother or father, nor any friends. I live with my aunt who is
very poor, and needs the money I earn. "Wouldn't you be
better off if you lived with me?" asked the sister, putting
her arm around the girl's shoulders. "You could help me
with the housework, and I would have company. I live with my
brother, but he is away all day long, and I often feel lonely.
Besides, you would be like a member of the family, eat what
we eat, and dress as I dress."
When she told the aunt about her good fortune, she wished her
well. Life in the new house was exactly as the sister had promised:
She ate what they ate, and dressed as she dressed, and was always
treated with affection and respect, like a member of the family.
The years went by slowly, until one day, the sister advised
her brother, “Our father wanted us to stay together, but
you’re grown up now. It's time for you to have a wife and
a family. Why don't you marry the girl? She is pretty, very
agreeable, and a hard worker." “I agree with you,"
said the young man, "but I really wanted you to marry first.
Since that cannot be, I will bow to your wishes."
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