Reading Notes: Stories from Europe, Reading B
1. Czech Folktales: Old Nick and Kitty by Josef Baudis (1922). There was once and older maid-servant, Kitty, on a farm who had wanted to get married for so long, but no one would wed her. She made sure to never miss a dance, even though no one would ever dance with her. Tired of never having a suitor, she finally said that she would even dance with Old Nick--the Devil--if he would come to a dance. When 11 o'clock came, a young boy in green came into the dance and asked Kitty to dance with him. Once it became midnight, the boy revealed himself as the Devil and was trying to leave to go back home, however Kitty would not let go of him. He thought about throwing her into the pond but she was clinging onto him so tightly he could not do it. So he took her down to Hell with him, but even the people of Hell would not let her stay. He eventually met a shepherd and asked the shepherd if he would like the maiden with him. The shepherd called her ugly and told Old Nick he could keep her
