THE TWELVE MONTHS
Once in the Czech Republic there was a widow with two daughters – her own child, Helena, whom she loved dearly, and her stepdaughter, Maruska, whom she disliked.
The widow was so jealous of Maruska’s beauty and kindness, she gave her all the housework to do and hardly anything to eat. Meanwhile, lazy Helena bullied Maruska and ate cakes all day. She wished she could get rid of her.
One bleak January day, the widow was talking about how she longed to smell sweet spring violets again. This gave Helena an idea. Smiling slyly, she said, “Maruska, go into the forest and pick some violets for Mother.”
“But, dear sister, violets can’t
