“I should like a bit of lightning,” he said, “a nice jumpy bit.”
The giant put his hand in his pocket. “Here’s a bundle of it,” he said. “If you cut the string you can have quite a jolly little display at any moment.”
The Rainbow Cat thanked him, and they parted most amicably.
The giant went back to his castle and did as he had been told. Ever since that day he believes he knows what people are thinking. This makes him feel very superior and it really doesn’t do any one else any harm.
The Rainbow Cat returned to the party with the bundle of lightning stowed carefully away in his bag. Every one was most grateful for what he had done, and he was quite overwhelmed with attentions. He enjoyed himself very much in Cloud-land, and stayed for seven days. At the end of that time he packed up his little bag and set off once more on his travels, and you shall presently hear what next befell him.
TWO
The Princess Who Could Not Cry
THERE was once a little princess who could not cry.
That wouldn’t have mattered so very much, but the trouble was that she laughed at everything, often on the most unsuitable occasions, and this was an extremely vexing and awkward habit, especially for a princess.