In ancient times, there was an evil princess, ugly in appearance, wicked in character. She would hate people, rebuke them, mock them, and belittle them. Everyone who knew her and feared her served her because of the evilness of her nature. She had servants and maidens who would cheat people repeatedly, then return to her with their news and secrets. Whenever she heard what was discussed about her, her heart would burn with malice and she would rage terribly, so that no one would dare approach her or look at her face.
One evening, she was sitting in her palace’s hall and her mirror was in her room. She called, and her maidens hurried to her, standing between her hands awaiting punishment or rebuke. The arrogant princess looked at them with contempt, then smiled with her nose and said: “Correct what people say about me.” The maidens said: “And what do they say?” They said: “The princess is extremely ugly and does not look at herself.” The princess became angry and raised her voice, threatening them, saying: “Do you agree with people on what they say?” They said: “No, by God your companion does not err.” The princess became more angry and raised her voice threatening them, saying: “Agree with people on what they say.”
The maidens were terrified and said in their souls: “Indeed, her morals are good, but her form will not be.” The princess said: “You were silent.” They said: “No, by God you are small, O our lady.” She said: “Do not lie.” They said: “Ask the mirror. She does not lie.” The princess took the mirror and held it to her nose. The mirror said to her: “You are indeed small and extremely ugly.” The princess became angry, her face darkened, and she threw the mirror and it broke and scattered. The princess stood screaming and entered her palace, calling the mirror a liar. One of the maidens rose and began to gather the pieces of the mirror. Whenever she finished gathering them, she looked at them sorrowfully and said: “Yes, the mirror has indeed died…”