The Curse of the Seven Children

Joseph Jacobs was a scholar and historian, mostly known as a collector and publisher of English Folklore.
"The Curse of the Seven Children" is a legend, entered in the "Italian popular tales" collection. The story is about a king and a queen who had six children, all sons. The queen was about to give birth to another child, and the king said that if it was not a daughter all seven children would be cursed. During the king's departing the queen gave birth to the most beautiful girl that was ever seen. The queen immediately gave orders to hang the distaff out of the window - the sign for king, indicating, that the girl was born; but in the midst of the joyful confusion, a mistake was made, and they put out a lance, the sign signifying the birth of a boy. Shortly after, the king returned and saw the sign at the window, and cursed all his seven sons...