Well, in a word, the cause of this frantic joy was simply this: The princess had finally thought out a solution to the terrible problem which had been for weeks torturing her mind.
Briefly stated, it was as follows:
I should be placed in the boughs of a tree just high enough to clear her body. She then was to roll under me, and at the right moment, I was to lean downward and pinch her little toe when it came uppermost.
In vain I assured her that I should grow dizzy and fall headlong to the ground, breaking my neck, or, at very least, dislocating it.
But no, I need have no fear.
She would watch over me.
She would turn and catch me in time.
The royal counsellors were at once called together.
The plan of the princess Rōlâ-Bōlâ was laid before them.
At first they sent up a deep and ominous rumble of disagreement.