Once upon a time twin daughters were born to a happy king and queen. As it came to pass, a jealous fairy put a curse on one of the twins and she was made so ugly that none could look at her. She was named Laideronnette—little ugly one. However, the princess was a sweet child, and in order not to cause distress to the rest of her family, she offered to go off and live alone in a remote castle by the sea. Roaming about the castle grounds one day she caught the interest of the Green Serpent who tried to engage her with kind words. Terrified of him, Laideronnette fled and was nearly drowned in the sea. Upon awakening, she discovered that she had been rescued and was in a bed in the most splendid palace in a faraway land—the land of the Pagodas—the Chinese Nodding-Dolls. (Music - gong)

Having been appointed Empress of the Pagodas, Laideronnette was treated with all due respect, and was provided with the most luxurious place to bathe and dress herself. Pagodas and Pagodinas began to sing and to play on musical instruments. Some had lutes made of walnut-shells, others viols made of almond-shells—for the dolls needed instruments to suit their size. (Music - Piccolo & pizz strings)

After she finished her bath, the Empress was given a magnificent dressing-gown, and, accompanied by grand music, she was given extraordinary honors—Hail to the Empress!