What’s this? She calls us with bowls of milk and sugar and then she stands blocking the door. “Oh, Queen of Snakes,” she cries, “Give me back my husband!”

“Husssband? Hussssband?” I thrust my head into her face.

She repeats her plea, and I must say, I am impressed by her courage. “Tomorrow you will have him,” I hiss.

She steps aside and I slip past her, followed by my legions, who, by this time, have become very thirssssty for the milk she has put out for us.

Queen of Snakes in The Snake Prince, Olive Fairy Book. Illustration by H.J. Ford.