At last , not knowing what else to do , she resolved to consult a certain witch who was called `` The Fairy of the Desert . '' Now this was very difficult to do , as she was guarded by some terrible lions ; but happily the Queen had heard a long time before that whoever wanted to pass these lions safely must throw to them a cake made of millet flour , sugar-candy , and crocodile 's eggs . This cake she prepared with her own hands , and putting it in a little basket , she set out to seek the Fairy . But as she was not used to walking far , she soon felt very tired and sat down at the foot of a tree to rest , and presently fell fast asleep . When she awoke she was dismayed to find her basket empty . The cake was all gone ! and , to make matters worse , at that moment she heard the roaring of the great lions , who had found out that she was near and were coming to look for her . `` What shall I do ? '' she cried ; `` I shall be eaten up , '' and being too frightened to run a single step , she began to cry , and leaned against the tree under which she had been asleep . Just then she heard some one say : `` H 'm , h 'm ! '' She looked all round her , and then up the tree , and there she saw a little tiny man , who was eating oranges . `` Oh ! Queen , '' said he , `` I know you very well , and I know how much afraid you are of the lions ; and you are quite right too , for they have eaten many other people : and what can you expect , as you have not any cake to give them ? '' `` I must make up my mind to die , '' said the poor Queen . `` Alas ! I should not care so much if only my dear daughter were married . '' `` Oh ! you have a daughter , '' cried the Yellow Dwarf -LRB- who was so called because he was a dwarf and had such a yellow face , and lived in the orange tree -RRB- . `` I 'm really glad to hear that , for I 've been looking for a wife all over the world . Now , if you will promise that she shall marry me , not one of the lions , tigers , or bears shall touch you . ''
The Queen looked at him and was almost XXXXX much afraid of his ugly little face as she had been of the lions before , so that she could not speak a word .
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