Tilabel
Story and Pictures by Patricia Coombs
German Folklore
Summary: Inept Tilabel, forced to spin, weave, and sew for the groundhog queen, is aided by three old "aunts," thus ensuring her marriage to the prince.
Tilabel was the despair of her mother. Instead of digging roots like other groundhogs, she chased butterflies. Instead of picking grapes, she swung from the vines.
Then, one day when TIlabel was being scolded, the queen passed by and heard the racket.
"I wanted her to go out to play but that girl thinks only of work," lied the mother.
"Really?" said the queen, smiling. A worker like that was just what she needed at the castle. What an inspiration she would be for that lazy dreamer, Prince Grundel.
Tilabel did inspire not only the crown prince but the whole kingdom, and was even instrumental in the creation of some new holidays, including Groundhog Day!