After the christening at the church, all the guests returned to the palace where a grand feast was prepared. As they were all sitting down at the table, a very old fairy came into the half. She had not been invited because for more than 50 years she had not been heard of. The old fairy thought herself slighted, and muttered some angry threats that were overheard by one of the young fairies.

Thinking that some harm might be done to the little princess the young fairy hid behind the curtains in the half so that all the other fairies might speak first. Then, if any evil wish were bestowed upon the child, she might be able to counteract it.

Then came the turn of the old fairy. Shaking her head spitefully, she uttered her curs: "When the princess grows up, she will pick her finger with a spindle and die at the wound." Just then the young fairy appeared from behind the curtains and said in a cheerful tone, "Your majesties must take comfort, the princess shall not die. I have not the power to change entirely the ill fortune just wished upon her by my ancient sister. The princess must indeed pierce her finger with a spindle, though she will not die but sleep for one hundred years."