The milkmaid and her pail A milkmaid was going to the market. She carried her milk in a pail on her head. As she went along she began calculating what she would buy after she had sold the milk. "I'll buy a new dress, and when I go to the ball, all the young men will dance with me!" As she spoke she tossed her head back. The pail immediately fell off her head, and all the milk was spilt. The girl went back without anything. She felt very sad. "Ah, my child," said her mother. "Do not count your chickens before they are hatched."