Translation:The girl with a turned up nose/Chapter 6

by Monteiro Lobato

THE PLOT

ON THE night of that day, Narizinho was in the best part of her dream when she woke up to a knock on the window.

— Knock!... Knock!...

— Who is it?" she said, jumping out of bed, trembling with fear.

— Good evening, beautiful princess," replied a familiar voice. I have a secret to tell you.

It was the frog. Narizinho took a relieved breath and, opening the window, asked him what he wanted.

— You saved my life," replied the frog, "and I want to save yours. Listen to me. After the pebbles had been removed from my stomach, I left the garden and went to hide in a dark corner to heal the cut, looking for a stone burrow. I found one that I liked, and I was dozing there when, at midnight, I heard the sound of voices next door. Since I'm very curious, I put my ear to a crack and started listening. That crack led to the Black Scorpion's prison. At first it seemed to me that the blind monster was talking to himself. But it wasn't like that. The monster was talking to the captain of the guard, whose voice I know very well. They were plotting against the prince, and they spent a long time agreeing on the plans for a revolt to kill the prince and hang all the nobles in the kingdom. They also agreed that the blind Scorpion would ascend the throne, and you would be forced to marry him.

As soon as the girl heard that, she became ill, and Master Grab went to great lengths to wake her up with sprays of cold water. When Narizinho woke up, the frog said:

— Come on, girl! Don't be weak. We must warn the prince while there's still time.

Narizinho, with tears in her eyes, thanked the frog for his warning and ran off towards the prince's chambers. There, she banged on the door furiously. The prince, startled, jumped out of bed sword in hand and, seeing Narizinho in her nightgown, was even more astonished.

— Hurry, Prince! They're plotting against our lives!" she said. And she unraveled the whole story told by the frog. The prince listened in silence, his face tight. Then, after a few moments' meditation, he said very calmly:

— I'm used to fighting and I know how to defend myself. Go back to your room and sleep soundly. I'll punish the criminals tonight.