huge green lizard appeared from the inside and stood before
Masaniello, who nearly went out of his mind with terror, for the
beast was as big as a crocodile and quite as fierce looking.

But the lizard sat down beside him in the most friendly manner,
and said: ‘Don't be afraid, my good man, I am not going to hurt
you; on the contrary, I am most anxious to help you.'

When the peasant heard these words he knelt before the lizard and
said: ‘Dear lady, for I know not what to call you, I am in your
power; but I beg of you to be merciful, for I have twelve
wretched little daughters at home who are dependent on me.'

‘That's the very reason why I have come to you,' replied the
lizard. ‘Bring me your youngest daughter to-morrow morning. I
promise to bring her up as if she were my own child, and to look
upon her as the apple of my eye.'

When Masaniello heard her words he was very unhappy, because he
felt sure, from the lizard's wanting one of his daughters, the
youngest and tenderest too, that the poor little girl would only
serve as dessert for the terrible creature's supper. At the same
time he said to himself, ‘If I refuse her request, she will
certainly eat me up on the spot. If I give her what she asks she
does indeed take part of myself, but if I refuse she will take
the whole of me. What am I to do, and how in the world am I to
get out of the difficulty?'

As he kept muttering to himself the lizard said, ‘Make up your
mind to do as I tell you at once. I desire to have your youngest