s fresh in the roots the magic staff
could keep them in the forms you desired, but as the sap dried up they
withered away. But never trouble yourself about that, dearest one, a
basket of fresh turnips will soon set matters right, and you can
speedily call up again every form you wish to see. The great green
patch in the garden will provide you with a more lively company.'

So saying the gnome took himself off. And the princess with her magic
wand touched the wrinkled old women, and left them the withered roots
they really were, to be thrown upon the rubbish heap; and with light
feet skipped off across to the meadow to take possession of the
freshly filled basket. But to her surprise she could not find it
anywhere. Up and down the garden she searched, spying into every
corner, but not a sign of it was to be found. By the trellis of grape
vines she met the gnome, who was so much embarrassed at the sight of
her that she became aware of his confusion while he was still quite a
long way off.

'You are trying to tease me,' she cried, as soon as she saw him.
'Where have you hidden the basket? I have been looking for it at least
an hour.'

'Dear queen of my heart,' answered he, 'I pray you to forgive my
carelessness. I promised more than I could perform. I have sought all
over the land for the roots you desire; but they are gathered in, and
lie drying in musty cellars, and the fields are bare and desolate, for
below in the valley winter reigns, only here in your presence spring
is held fast, and wherever your foot is set the gay flowers bloom.
Have patience for a little, and then without fail you shall have your
puppets to play with.'

Almost before the gnome had finished, the disappointed princess turned
away, and marched off to her own apartments, without deigning to
answer him.

The gnome, however, set off above ground as speedily as possible, and
disguising himself as a farmer, bought an ass in the nearest
market-town, and brought it back loaded with sacks of turnip, carrot,
and radish seed. With this he sowed a great field, and sent a vast
army of his goblins to watch and tend it, and to bring up the fiery
rivers from the heart of the earth near enough to warm and encourage
the sprouting seeds. Thus fostered they grew and flourished
marvellously, and promised a goodly crop.

The princess wandered about the field day by day, no other plants or
fruits in all her wonderful garden pleased her as much as these roots;
b