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Then he went to the bed where the girls lay； and； having
found the boys' little bonnets；
〃Ah！〃 said he； 〃my merry lads； are you there？ Let us
work as we ought。〃
And saying these words； without more ado； he cut the
throats of all his seven daughters。
Well pleased with what he had done； he went to bed
again to his wife。 So soon as Little Thumb heard the
Ogre snore； he waked his brothers； and bade them all put
on their clothes presently and follow him。 They stole
down softly into the garden； and got over the wall。 They
kept running about all night； and trembled all the while；
without knowing which way they went。
The Ogre； when he awoke； said to his wife： 〃Go
upstairs and dress those young rascals who came here last
night。〃
The wife was very much surprised at this goodness of
her husband； not dreaming after what manner she should
dress them； but； thinking that he had ordered her to go
and put on their clothes； she went up； and was strangely
astonished when she perceived her seven daughters killed；
and weltering in their blood。
She fainted away； for this is the first expedient almost
all women find in such cases。 The Ogre； fearing his wife
would be too long in doing what he had ordered； went up
himself to help her。 He was no less amazed than his wife
at this frightful spectacle。
〃Ah！ what have I done？〃 cried he。 〃The wretches shall
pay for it； and that instantly。〃
He threw a pitcher of water upon his wife's face； and；
having brought her to herself； said：
〃Give me quickly my boots of seven leagues； that I may
go and catch them。〃
He went out； and； having run over a vast deal of
ground； both on this side and that； he came at last into
the very road where the poor children were； and not
above a hundred paces from their father's house。 They
espied the Ogre； who went at one step from mountain to
mountain； and over rivers as easily as the narrowest
kennels。 Little Thumb； seeing a hollow rock near the
place where they were； made his brothers hide themselves
in it； and crowded into it himself； minding always what
would become of the Ogre。
The Ogre； who found himself much tired with his long
and fruitless journey （for these boots of seven leagues
greatly fatigued the wearer）； had a great mind to rest
himself； and； by chance； went to sit down upon the rock
where the little boys had hid themselves。 As it was
impossible he could be more weary than he was； he fell
asleep； and； after reposing himself some time； began to
snore so frightfully that the poor children were no less
afraid of him than when he held up his great knife and
was going to cut their throats。 Little Thumb was not so
much frightened as his brothers； and told them that they
should run away immediately toward home while the
Ogre was asleep so soundly； and that they should not be in
any pain about him。 They took his advice； and got home
presently。 Little Thumb came up to the Ogre； pulled off
his boots gently and put them on his own legs。 The boots
were very long and large； but； as they were fairies； they
had the gift of becoming big and little； according to the
legs of those who wore them； so that they fitted his feet
and legs as well as if they had been made on purpose for
him。 He went immediately to the Ogre's house； where he
saw his wife crying bitterly for the loss of the Ogre's
murdered daughters。
〃Your husband；〃 said Little Thumb； 〃is in very great
danger； being taken by a gang of thieves； who have sworn
to kill him if he does not give them all his gold and silver。
The very moment they held their daggers at his throat he
perceived me； and desired me to come and tell you the
condition he is in； and that you should give me whatsoever
he has of value； without retaining any one thing； for
otherwise they will kill him without mercy； and； as his
case is very pressing； he desired me to make use （you see
I have them on） of his boots； that I might make the more
haste and to show you that I do not impose upon you。
The good woman； being sadly frightened； gave him all
she had： for this Ogre was a very good husband； though
he used to eat up little children。 Little Thumb； having
thus got all the Ogre's money； came home to his father's
house； where he was received with abundance of joy。
There are many people who do not agree in this
circumstance； and pretend that Little Thumb never robbed
the Ogre at all； and that he only thought he might very
justly； and with a safe conscience； take off his boots of
seven leagues； because he made no other use of them but
to run after little children。 These folks affirm that they
are very well assured of this； and the more as having
drunk and eaten often at the fagot…maker's house。 They
aver that when Little Thumb had taken off the Ogre's
boots he went to Court； where he was informed that they
were very much in pain about a certain army； which was
two hundred leagues off； and the success of a battle。 He
went； say they； to the King； and told him that； if he
desired it； he would bring him news from the army before
night。
The King promised him a great sum of money upon that
condition。 Little Thumb was as good as his word； and
returned that very same night with the news； and； this first
expedition causing him to be known； he got whatever he
pleased； for the King paid him very well for carrying his
orders to the army。 After having for some time carried
on the business of a messenger； and gained thereby great
wealth； he went home to his father； where it was
impossible to express the joy they were all in at his return。
He made the whole family very easy； bought places for
his father and brothers； and； by that means； settled them
very handsomely in the world； and； in the meantime； made
his court to perfection。＇1＇
＇1＇ Charles Perrault。