In a village there lived a farmer and a miller. The miller had a beautiful daughter. The farmer had three sons. All the three sons cherished a secret desire of marrying Rosalind, the beautiful daughter of the miller.

In the same village there also lived Old Polly. She was old and wrinkled. She was ugly to look at. Some people said that she was a witch.

One day, John the eldest son of the farmer said that he was going to propose to Rosalind for marriage. He dressed up smartly and proceeded towards the miller’s house. He was sure that Rosalind would marry him. On his way he met Polly. She asked him where he was going. John did not speak to her. He pretended that he had not seen her at all. When he reached the miller’s house and proposed to Rosalind, she refused to marry him. He was quite disappointed. After a few weeks, Jack the middle son thought of proposing to Rosalind. He also dressed up and went towards the miller’s house. He too, met Old Polly. She wished him good day and asked him where he was going. But he did not answer her and went on his way. Rosalind refused his proposal also. Greatly disappointed, he came back.

        After a few weeks Tom, the youngest son of the farmer decided to propose to Rosalind. He was a very good natured boy. But he had one fault in his physical appearance. His nose was too long. His brothers laughed at him and said that there was no point in proposing to Rosalind. She won’t accept the proposal. Tom however wanted to give a try. So he set out for the miller’s house. On his way he met Old Polly. He wished her good day. She asked him where he was going. He told her that he was going to propose to Rosalind. He said, “I know it is a hopeless errand. She won’t marry me. I have such a ridiculous nose. She has already refused to marry my elder brothers who are better looking than I am”. Old Polly said, “Don’t be disheartened. Rosalind won’t refuse to marry you”. She then took out a ring from her finger and gave it to Tom. She said, “Wear it my son and say Bless it!” Tom did as he was told. His nose shrank half an inch. The old lady then said, “If Rosalind does not accept your proposal, say ‘Dart it’ and her nose would grow half an inch longer. Tom thanked her and went on his way. When Tom reached Rosalind’s house she was not at home. He sat down to wait for her. Another young man was waiting for Rosalind. This man was very rich and miller wanted that his daughter should marry him.