Here she paused to consider what had best be done next , and looking about her she saw that one of the walls had a tall tree growing by it , and in the corner was a window very nearly on a level with the highest branches of the tree . ` Monkey , come to me ! ' cried the ant ; and before you could turn round a monkey was swinging herself from the topmost branches into the room where the giant lay snoring . ` Perhaps he will be so frightened at the sight of me that he may die of fear , and I shall never get the crown , ' thought the monkey . ' I had better become something else . ' And she called softly : ` Parrot , come to me ! ' Then a pink and grey parrot hopped up to the giant , who by this time was stretching himself and giving yawns which shook the castle . The parrot waited a little , until he was really awake , and then she said boldly that she had been sent to take away the crown , which was not his any longer , now his daughter the queen was dead . On hearing these words the giant leapt out of bed with an angry roar , and sprang at the parrot in order to wring her neck with his great hands . But the bird was too quick for him , and , flying behind his back , begged the giant to have patience , as her death would be of no use to him . ` That is true , ' answered the giant ; ` but I am not so foolish as to give you that crown for nothing . Let me think what I will have in exchange ! ' And he scratched his huge head for several minutes , for giants ' minds always move slowly . ` Ah , yes , that will do ! ' exclaimed the giant at last , his face brightening . ` You shall have the crown if you will bring me a collar of blue stones from the Arch of St. Martin , in the Great City . ' Now when the parrot had been a girl she had often heard of this wonderful arch and the precious stones and marbles that had been let into it . It sounded as if it would be a very hard thing to get them away from the building of which they formed a part , but all had gone well with her so far , and at any rate she could but try . So she bowed to the giant , and made her way back to the window where the giant could not see her . Then she called quickly : ` Eagle , come to me ! '
Before she had even reached the tree she felt herself borne up on strong wings ready to carry her to the clouds XXXXX she wished to go there , and seeming a mere speck in the sky , she was swept along till she beheld the Arch of St. Martin far below , with the rays of the sun shining on it .
So about at before by for if on until with