Onedaytheprincesswasvisitingashrineontheoutskirtsofthecity, andTinyFingerwentalongasusual, forhewasherpersonalattendant. Ontheirwayhometheypassedthroughadeepforest, andjustastheywerenearthemiddleofthewoods, atall, fiercebanditsuddenlyappearedbeforetheprincess. Thebanditwasveryboldandhegrufflycaughttheprincessbythesleeveofherkimono.
"Helpme! Helpme!" theprincesscried. Shetriedtoescapefromthebandit, buthewastoostrong, andheheldherfast.
Seeingtheprincessindanger, TinyFingerunsheathedhisneedleswordandsprangattheshaggybandit. Runningandkicking, hefinallysucceededinprickingthebanditinasensitivespotwithhisneedlesword.
"Oh! Oh! Oh! Ihavebeencut!" roaredthebandit. Thenhelookedallaroundfortheonewhohadhurthim. ButTinyFingerwassosmallthathecouldruninandoutbetweenthebandit'sfeet, stickingthelongneedleintothebandit'sbigtoesandintohisheels. AndthebanditwassotallandsoclumsythathecouldnotcatchTinyFinger. Norcouldheescapefromhim. Everytimethebandittriedtorunaway, TinyFingerwouldcatchhimbyonetrouserlegandstickhimwithhisneedle. Thishedidmany, manytimes, andeverytimethebandittriedtocatchTinyFinger, thelittleboywouldhidebetweenthebandit'stoesorinthefoldsofhistrousers.