The second little Man was a white Onion, and his clothes were the green of onion tops; and the third little fellow had the face of a Carrot, and he, too, was all in green.
“Fairy,” said the little Man who looked like a Beet, “we are in great trouble and have come to ask for your help. We are called the Green Vegetables and are a large and happy family. Last night while we slept, the wicked Witch Ignorance crept in among us and carried off one of our little Men. We did not know that he was gone until we were awakened by his cries, and when we rushed to help him, this cruel Witch beat us to the ground and sped far away.
“This morning, I found upon my doorstep a letter. It was from the Witch and said that unless we gave her gold she would return each night and carry away one of our comrades. Help us, Fairy, for this Witch is very powerful.”
“Courage, little Man,” said the Fairy, “Cho-Cho and I will help you.” “Fairy,” said Cho-Cho, “I must find this cruel Witch, for if she hurts these little Men, the Children will have no Vegetables to eat, and Children must eat Vegetables. This is what the black mark meant upon the doors,” and turning, Cho-Cho walked rapidly away.
Now Cho-Cho had a friend, a Wonderful Dog, who could travel like the wind, and he hurried down the road toward the Dog’s house.
Finding the Dog at home, Cho-Cho told him of the little Men, and added, “I must find this Witch before nightfall, and it is now noon. I cannot travel fast enough, for she lives far away. Will you take me on your back?”
“With pleasure,” said the Dog, “but I do not know the way.” Leaning forward, Cho-Cho slowly passed his hands before the Dog’s eyes. Immediately sight was given to the Dog and he could see far off in the distance the Witch’s house and the road that led to it.
“Hurry,” said Cho-Cho, seating himself upon the Dog’s back, “it grows late.”
The great Dog started forward and at each step his pace quickened until his feet scarcely seemed to touch the ground. Faster, faster, and faster he went, and the wind whistled through his long hair, and his beautiful tail waved like a plume. Trees and houses flew by them as they rushed on, and the Dog laughed with glee.
Cho-Cho, clinging on with hands and feet, saw ahead of them a high stone fence. The Dog went over it in a flying leap and landed safely on the other side in a field of grass. Here he began to slacken his pace, for in front of them loomed a dark forest, and only a narrow pathway led through it.