The next morning the prince let speak out all over the land that none should be his bride save the one whose foot the golden shoe should fit. Then the two sisters were very glad because they had pretty feet.
When
the prince came to their house with the shoe the eldest went to her room to try
it on, and her mother stood by. But she could not get her great toe into it for
the shoe was too small. Then her mother handed her a knife and said, »Cut the
toe off, for when you are queen you will never have to go on foot.« So the girl
cut her toe off, squeezed her foot into the shoe, concealed the pain, and went
down to the prince.