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 of the Moon ? ' Then the poor Princess told her all that happened to her , and added ' I shall always be thankful to Heaven for leading me hither , and grateful to you that you took pity on me and on my baby , and did not leave us to die . Now I beg one last favour of you ; can your daughter , the Moon , tell me where my husband is ? ' ` She can not tell you that , my child , ' replied the goddess , ` but , if you will travel towards the East until you reach the dwelling of the Sun , he may be able to tell you something . ' Then she gave the Princess a roast chicken to eat , and warned her to be very careful not to lose any of the bones , because they might be of great use to her .
When the Princess had thanked her once more for her hospitality and for her good advice , and had thrown away one pair of shoes that were worn out , and had put on a second pair , she tied up the chicken bones in a bundle , and taking her baby in her arms and her staff XXXXX her hand , she set out once more on her wanderings .
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