So the wizard was tied to the table, and the Rainbow Cat took all his wicked books and his pots and pans and the rest of his nasty paraphernalia and threw them out of the window on to the ground below, where they were burnt later on in a great bonfire. By this time the news had spread all over the castle, and presently the giantess came in, with the children trooping behind her. The wizard had grown black in the face with rage; he knew that even if he were set free he would be utterly powerless. For he had lost all his magic books, and he was truly rather a stupid wizard and could do absolutely nothing without them. As a matter of fact the gentle giantess didn’t want him to be punished, and in the end he was conducted to the borders of the country and threatened with instant death if ever he returned. But that, of course, was later. You can imagine what excitement there was in the land when the Rainbow Cat appeared the next day walking down the road from the castle with the giantess by his side and all the children running in front, and the wicked magician led behind in chains. The Rainbow Cat, having finished his task, soon bade his friends good-bye and set out once more on his travels. The giantess made him a present of the gold ring which she wore on her little finger. He would take nothing else. He wore it as a collar round his neck, where it was always greatly admired. She herself soon became a great favourite among the people of the Bountiful Land. They loved her dearly and were very proud of her. But she always had to be very careful not to sneeze or stamp. People even came from other countries to see her, so that in the end it grew quite embarrassing. But, in time, a giant who had heard much of her beauty and gentleness travelled all the way from Giant-land to visit her, and he married her and took her away to his own home. Her trousseau took some making, I can tell you! All the women in the district sewed at it for six months--and even then she was able to have only six of everything. TEN Almond Blossom Long ago the leaves and blossoms of the almond-tree came out together like those on other trees. But now the blossoms come out first. Shall I tell you why? One day in early spring the Fairy Queen was riding about the country. “Oh, dear,” she said, “I’m so tired of this wintry weather. I wish the flowers were out. And next week is my birthday”--the Fairy Queen, you must know, has birthdays much oftener than ordinary people--“my first spring birthday this year, and there are still only a few primroses and violets. How I should love to see some pink flowers! I’m so fond of pink.” The little buds of the almond-tree heard her. “Can’t we manage it?” they said to their mother, the tree. “Can’t we be out in time for the Queen’s birthday next week?” “You can try,” said their mother. “But what about your brothers, the leaves? You know how lazy they are. And you can’t come out without them. You _would_ look funny.”