` Here , then , my dear child , ' said the witch , ` take this thread , but do not let him know about it , for if he did it would lose its healing power . At night , when he is asleep , you must get up very quietly , and fasten the thread round his left foot as firmly as possible ; and you will see in the morning he will not have changed back into a Pig , but will still be a man . I do not want any reward . I shall be sufficiently repaid by knowing that you are happy . It almost breaks my heart to think of all you have suffered , and I only wish I had known it sooner , as I should have come to your rescue at once . ' When the old witch had gone away the Princess hid the thread very carefully , and at night she got up quietly , and with a beating heart she bound the thread round her husband 's foot . Just as she was pulling the knot tight there was a crack , and the thread broke , for it was rotten . Her husband awoke with a start , and said to her , ` Unhappy woman , what have you done ? Three days more and this unholy spell would have fallen from me , and now , who knows how long I may have to go about in this disgusting shape ? I must leave you at once , and we shall not meet again until you have worn out three pairs of iron shoes and blunted a steel staff in your search for me . ' So saying he disappeared . Now , when the Princess was left alone she began to weep and moan in a way that was pitiful to hear ; but when she saw that her tears and groans did her no good , she got up , determined to go wherever fate should lead her . On reaching a town , the first thing she did was to order three pairs of iron sandals and a steel staff , and having made these preparations for her journey , she set out in search of her husband . On and on she wandered over nine seas and across nine continents ; through forests with trees whose stems were as thick as beer-barrels ; stumbling and knocking herself against the fallen branches , then picking herself up and going on ; the boughs of the trees hit her face , and the shrubs tore her hands , but on she went , and never looked back . At last , wearied with her long journey and worn out and overcome with sorrow , but still with hope at her heart , she reached a house . Now who do you think lived there ? The Moon . The Princess knocked at the door , and begged to be let in that she might rest a little . The mother of the Moon , when she saw her sad plight , felt a great pity for her , and took her in and nursed and tended her . And while she was here the Princess had a little baby .
One day the mother of the Moon asked her : ` How was it possible for you , a mortal , to get hither to the house XXXXX the Moon ? '
On about across for in into of over while with