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174 GRIMM’S FAIRY TALES. (III.) HE elves once took a child away from its mother, and left in its place a changeling with a big head and staring eyes, who did nothing but eat and drink. The mother in her trouble went to her neigh. bours and asked their advice, ‘The neighbours told her to take the change. ling into the kitchen and put it near the hearth, and then to make up the fire. and boil water in two egg-shells; that would make the changeling laugh, and if he laughed, it would be all over with him, So the woman did as her neighbours advised. Anc when. she set the egg-shells of water on the fire, the change ling said, ‘* Though old I be As forest tree, Cooking in an egg-shell never did I see tp? and began to laugh. And directly there came in a crowd 0 elves bringing in the right child; and they laid it near th hearth, and carried the changeling away with them.
