Page:A Menina do Narizinho Arrebitado (1920).pdf/38

 Narizinho didn't answer back, because she knew it was true...

Then drums and clarions sounded in the distance. It was the prince returning, leading a guard of crickets. Narizinho's heart beat fast.

— Hail! said the prince as soon as he saw the girl. Hail to the lady of my heart!

— If I am the lady of your heart, she replied, I want to ask you for a grace...

— Command and it will be obeyed, said the prince.

— I want Master Grab's forgiveness," said Narizinho, "who is groaning with the five hundred stones in his belly."

The prince granted her request and ordered that Doctor Snail be called to extract the stones. The doctor came with his surgeon's bag. He examined the overstuffed frog, palpated it, raised his glasses to his forehead and said:



— I need to open his stomach.

— So open it, ordered the prince.

Doctor Snail rolled up his sleeves, put on his apron and, helped by several ants, began the operation. The frog was placed on its back, with its belly in the air, and the ants, with their sharp stings, opened a hole in it. Then they entered through the opening and