fables folktales · Ages 3-5

The Milkmaid's Pail Tips Over

A milkmaid dreams of many future treats while walking, forgets the pail in her hands, and spills the milk.

The whole story

1. Early one morning, the milkmaid carried fresh milk along the country lane.

2. At the market, she thought, I will sell this milk for a fine hen.

3. The fine hen would lay eggs, and the eggs would fill a basket.

4. I will sell those eggs for flour, she thought, and bake a cake.

5. The cake would be warm and sweet, with berries on top.

6. Then I will carry the cake to the fair, she thought, and dance.

7. She pictured herself dancing, and forgot the pail in her hands.

8. The pail tipped over, and all the milk spilled onto the grass.

9. Her dreams had raced ahead, but the empty pail stayed in her hands.

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