Pearl
Once upon a time, a father had three daughters. Two of them, Emma and Louise, were truly striking, so much so that people would stop and stare. The third, Pearl, was small, frail, and had a bit of a hunch. Only her large, sparkling eyes stood out on her face. Working in the fields was hard for her, and at home she struggled to keep up with her sisters. Life was never easy for Pearl.
Emma and Louise were beset by suitors, with young men constantly knocking on their door, while no one paid any attention to little Pearl. The sisters made up their minds: We shant marry until weve seen Pearl settled! We wouldnt dream of leaving her behind!
Time passed, but no one came to court Pearl. The sisters tried dressing her up and using rouge on her cheeks, but all in vain. Friends began to tease: If you wait to see Pearl married before yourselves, you might be single for life!
Pearl heard these words and felt wretchednot for herself, but out of love for her sisters. One evening, she resolved: I cannot be a burden any longer. Better I leave, so they may have their happiness. She waited until the household was asleep, tied her belongings in a scarf, and quietly slipped out.
Pearl walked through the night, under a bright moon and along a country lane. She wasn’t afraid, until the trees closed in and she found herself within a wood. What if a wild boar is about? she thought, a little nervous. Still, she kept on, making her way along the path.
As dawn approached, Pearl grew tired. The town was yet a long way off. She found a hazel bush and decided to rest beneath it. Laying her bundle down for a pillow and wrapping herself with her shawl, she fell asleep.
She awoke to the sound of chopping. As she sat up and listened, a dead branch crashed down right nearby! Pearl jumped up, heart racing, just as a little old man appeared. He was sturdy despite his size, with a thick white beard and an axe in hand.
Pearl was frightened, but the old man reassured her gently, No need for worry, my dear. I mean you no harm.
Who are you, sir? Pearl asked. You nearly knocked me out just now!
Im the gamekeeper, he replied. Live here, I do. I was just taking down a dead tree. But what are you doing here in the wood, all alone?
Pearl told him her troubles. The old man listened, stroked his beard in thought, then offered: You strike me as kind-hearted. Why not stay in my cottage and become like a granddaughter to me? If you change your mind, Ill take you to town myself.
Relieved, Pearl agreed to stay. They settled into life together: the gamekeeper would go out each morning, and Pearl minded the house. It was easy enough work, and she managed fine.
The old gamekeeper was a good soul, always cheerful, forever telling fascinating tales of his youth. Slowly, he began teaching Pearl about the woodland plants and roots, when to pick them, how to dry them, how to prepare healing tonics. From him, Pearl learned much and nothing was kept from her.
Eventually, the old man grew ill. Pearl wept, but he said to her, Dont be sad, love. Every life has its end. Once Im gone, bury me and return home. Ive taught you what I know. I helped the forest; you, dear, can help people.
And so it came to pass. Upon his death, Pearl buried him, mourned, and set out for her village.
Returning, she found that Emma and Louise had both married two brothers and all lived together in a large house. Joy filled the sisters at Pearls return. They gave her a lovely room, and she soon settled in, helping with all that she had learnedthe best ways to nourish the land, how to heal the sick, or drive away pests.
Thanks to Pearl, the sisters always had good crops, healthy cattle, and the home was free of illness. Happiness abounded.
Word spread quickly, and soon villagers began coming to Pearl for her knowledge. Pearl helped everyone who askednever demanding payment, though those who could would bring eggs or a scarf, while the poorest gave nothing.
In the same village lived an old woman, Mrs. Twiss, reputed to be a healer, though people were wary of her, suspecting her of having a mean streak. As Pearls kindness gained renown, everyone took their troubles to her instead, and Mrs. Twisss cottage was all but avoided. Jealous and angry, the old woman devised a plan.
One day she came to Pearl, greeting her sweetly: Good day, dear Pearl!
Good day, Mrs. Twiss, Pearl replied warmly.
Im in pain, my dear, my arm aches terribly, groaned the old woman.
Sit here, let me have a look. Pearl gently inspected her.
Are you sure its this arm? Doesnt feel sore at all, Pearl said, switching arms.
Oh yes, its definitely that one! insisted Mrs. Twiss. Hurts dreadfully!
Pearl shook her head. I cant find any pain, Mrs. Twiss.
Well maybe Im just talking nonsense. I feel better for our little chat, the old woman conceded suddenly. Thank you, my dear! Heres a small gift, just for you. She presented Pearl with a hand mirror. Youre a young lady; a mirror is just the thing for you at your age.
Thank you, Mrs. Twiss. May your good words always come true! Pearl replied. Unbeknown to her, Mrs. Twiss had cast a spell on the mirror.
Some time later, people noticed that Pearls hunch had vanished. She stood tall, no longer limping, and when she gazed in the old woman’s mirror, she smiled to see herself growing healthier every day. But Mrs. Twiss saw her spells had failed and returned, complaining of a weak back and tired legs. Ironically, she genuinely did feel illthe curse had rebounded.
Pearl treated her kindly, giving her roots and instructions, and Mrs. Twiss, persistent as ever, foisted another gift on hera fine bone comb. Every maiden needs to look after her beauty, she croaked. Pearl accepted the comb courteously. Thank you, Mrs. Twiss! May nothing but goodness follow your words.
Time ticked on, and soon villagers remarked that Pearl was blossoming with beauty and colour, her hair thickening and her body growing strong. Meanwhile, Mrs. Twiss withered. Her arms shrunk like twigs, her back was bent double, her legs useless. She summoned Pearl to her side.
Emma and Louise pleaded, Dont go! Shes a witchstrange things happen in that cottage!
Dont worry, said Pearl cheerily. Lets see what the morning brings.
Early next day, Pearl washed in fresh water, put on her nicest dress, and packed a basket with wild honey, orchard apples, and fragrant healing herbs.
When her sisters saw her ready to leave, they gasped, Sister! Youre a beauty! Is it your dress, or some enchantment?
Pearl made her way to Mrs. Twisss cottage. As she reached for the gate, it slammed shut, locked tight.
Mrs. Twiss! she called, I cant open your gate. Let me in, Ive come to see how you are.
Inside, a strange commotion raged, objects clattering and voices shrieking, Dont let her in! Her goodness overcomes our curses! Sickness flees from her touch, and resentment cannot hold.
Villagers gathered nearby, fearful, never in their lives having seen a house shake so!
For the third time, Pearl knocked: Are you alright in there, Mrs. Twiss? Ive brought honey, apples, and herbs.
She left her basket over the gate and stepped back. Suddenly, black smoke billowed from the chimney, even blacker than you’d see during a barn fire, and crows burst from the windows in a great cloud, the cottage darkening until it looked charred.
People panickedsome fetched water, others tried to break down the fence, thinking the cottage was on fire. Then the sunlight broke through, and at that very moment the smoke vanished, and all that remained of Mrs. Twisss cottage was a small heap of ashes. No fire, no tracejust the village left in awe.
That was Twisss spite, burning her own house down! the villagers muttered. She tried to harm Pearl, but kindness cannot be cursedher malice turned back on her!
From that day, Pearl shone with health and beauty. Soon she found a suitor from the very same village; they were happy, their life together harmonious. Emma and Louise rejoiced for their sisters fortune!
Where Mrs. Twisss cottage used to stand, near where Pearl placed her basket, a raspberry patch sprung upa wealth of large, sweet fruit for all to gather. The villagers lost all fear of that spot and, in time, the hamlet became known as Berryfield, for the raspberries that grew so richly from that day on.
