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Updated: May 19, 2025
Finally Timtom, who was now a Prince, suggested that Truella seek assistance from the kind sorceress Maetta, who had helped him out of his own difficulties. The Princess thought well of this idea, and determined to undertake a journey to the castle. She whistled for her favorite Stork, and soon the great bird came to her side. It was pure white, and of an extraordinary size.
Do you wish me to grant any other request before you return to the court?" Then Timtom remembered the rabbit, and the bird, and the spider, and told Maetta how he had promised to bring back a gift for each of them. So the kind sorceress gave him a nice, bushy tail for the rabbit, and a very pretty song for the bird, and a new, bright eye for the spider.
"It is in this little red box." But when he searched for the box he discovered it had been stolen. So great was his distress at the loss that the gray rabbit was sorry for him. "I shall never be able to get home again," he moaned, weeping tears of despair, "for all the gifts Maetta gave me are now lost forever!"
"Oh, I shall bring the tail, never fear," answered the youth, and hurried away toward the castle of Maetta, which was now visible through the trees. The castle was built of pure, white marble, and was very big and beautiful.
Then the King stood up at the head of the table and ordered his ruby casket to be brought him, and when the people heard this they at once became quiet and attentive, for the Ruby Casket was one of the most curious things in the Valley. It was given the King many years before by the sorceress, Maetta, and whenever it was opened something was found in it that no living person had seen before.
It was smooth as glass, and Timtom saw no way of climbing over it. While he stood wondering how he might overcome this new obstacle a gray rabbit hopped out from the bushes and asked: "Where do you wish to go, stranger?" "To the castle of the sorceress Maetta," answered Timtom. "Well, perhaps I can assist you," said the rabbit.
Maetta welcomed the pretty Princess very cordially and, on being told of her misfortune, at once agreed to assist her. So the sorceress consulted her Oracle, which told her truly anything she wanted to know, and then said to the Princess: "Your toe is in the possession of the Wicked Wizard who lives in the ruby cave under the mountains.
"I am on my way to visit the sorceress Maetta," replied Timtom; "But I can not get across the River of Needles." "They are very sharp, and would make a thousand holes through you in an instant," remarked the spider, thoughtfully. "But perhaps I can help you. If you are willing to grant me a favor in return, I will gladly build a bridge, so you may cross the river in safety."
"I need a new tail badly, for my old one is merely a stump, and no use at all in fly-time. If you will be kind enough to get me a new tail from the sorceress Maetta a long, nice, bushy tail I will dig under the wall, and so make a passage for you to the other side." "I shall be pleased to return the favor by bringing you the tail," declared Timtom, eagerly.
"I wish to visit the castle of the sorceress Maetta on very important business," he replied, "but I can not get over the gulf." "I could carry you over with ease," said the bird, "and shall gladly do so if, in return, you promise to grant me one favor." "What is the favor?" inquired Timtom. "I have forgotten my song, through having a sore throat for a long time," replied the bird.
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