“Hold tightly, your Highness,” he exclaimed, “for the pace we are going at is terrific.”
The water rushed headlong over fields and pastures, carrying them for several miles, at the end of which it joined itself to the stream the Princess had met in the wood. Moonflower sailed smoothly along, past forests and meadows, past castles and huts, till she came to the city where her own palace stood. On the terrace of the garden she beheld her wicked aunt walking up and down (for the stream ran close by the palace walls). She saw her gesticulating as she went, and heard her cry out, “Miserable girl! Thank heaven she may never return—the throne may yet be mine!”
On sailed the leaf, on and on, for seven days and seven nights, till they came to a land which lay far away from the Princess’s kingdom. The people who saw her passing by in so singular a manner held up their hands in wonder at the strange sight. Never had they beheld whirled by them a beautiful girl, sitting on a green leaf, with such a quantity of golden hair. It flew out as she went like a golden fringe, and when the sun struck upon it she looked as though she were appearing in a cloud of gold. On account of the brightness they could not see Grimaçon, who sat behind her. Soon they came to a place where the water ran between high trees, and where great blue lotos-flowers were growing as high as a tall man, covering the brink to the water’s edge.
While the Princess was admiring such rare and beautiful flowers, the leaf ran against a protruding stone and was carried by an eddy into the bank. Moonflower jumped out and the dwarf followed her example.
“Let us trust we may find something fit to eat, if only roots and berries,” said he, “for we have had neither meat nor drink for many days and nights.”
Once on shore they were much astonished to find that, on reaching land, their boat shrank to its original size, and that Moonflower was able to take it up in her hand. She thrust it again into the bosom of her dress.
The dwarf Grimaçon began at once to look with great diligence for something to eat, and soon discovered some delicious fruit which grew in great masses upon the surrounding trees. When they had both enjoyed a hearty meal the Princess was overcome by fatigue, for her long journey had exhausted her.
“Lay yourself on yonder grass, Madame,” said Grimaçon; “and, while you rest, I will watch over your slumbers.” So she flung herself down under a tree where the moss was like a cushion of green satin, and was soon fast asleep.
Now it happened that there passed that way an aged wood-cutter, who, with a load of faggots, was on his way to the Palace belonging to the King of that country, and who, as he went by, was much surprised to behold, under a tree, the most beautiful maiden in the world, with hair shining like gold and lying spread on the grass like the rays of the moon. He was yet more taken aback by the sight of Grimaçon, who sat beside her, shading her from the sun with a branch which he also used to drive away the flies.
“What is the name of this country, grandfather?” cried the dwarf.