MOREJATAKATALES

FORWORD

Thecontinuedsuccessofthe"JatakaTales,"asretoldandpublishedtenyearsago,hasledtothissecondandcompanionvolume.Whothathasreadortoldstoriestochildrenhasnotbeenluredonbythesubtleflatteryoftheircryfor"more"?

Dr.FelixAdler,inhisForewordto"JatakaTales,"saysthatlongagohewas"captivatedbythecharmoftheJatakaTales."Littlechildrenhavenotonlyfeltthischarm,buttheyhavediscoveredthattheycanreadthestoriestothemselves.Andso"MoreJatakaTales"werefoundinthevolumetranslatedfromtheSanskritintoEnglishbyagroupofCambridgescholarsandpublishedbytheUniversityPress.

TheJatakatales,regardedashistoricintheThirdCenturyB.C.,aretheoldestcollectionoffolk-loreextant.Theycomedowntousfromthatdimfar-offtimewhenourforebearstoldtalesaroundthesamehearthfireontheroofoftheworld.ProfessorRhysDavidsspeaksofthemas"apricelessrecordofthechildhoodofourrace.ThesamestoriesarefoundinGreek,Latin,Arabic,Persian,andinmostEuropeanlanguages.TheGreekversionsoftheJatakataleswereadaptedandascribedtothefamousstoryteller,Aesop,andunderhisnamehandeddownasacontinualfeastforthechildrenintheWest,—talesfirstinventedtopleaseandinstructourfar-offcousinsintheEast."HereEast,thoughEast,meetsWest!

A"GuildofJatakaTranslators,"underProfessorE.B.Cowell,professorofSanskritintheUniversityofCambridge,broughtoutthecompleteeditionoftheJatakabetween1895and1907.Itisfromthissourcethat"JatakaTales"and"MoreJatakaTales"havebeenretold.

Ofthesestories,spreadoverEuropethroughliterarychannels,ProfessorCowellsays,"Theyarethestraywaifsofliterature,inthecourseoftheirlongwanderingscomingtoberecognizedunderwidelydifferentaspects,aswhentheyareusedbyBoccaccio,orChaucer,orLaFontaine."

CONTENTS

ITHEGIRLMONKEYANDTHESTRINGOFPEARLS

IITHETHREEFISHES

IIITHETRICKYWOLFANDTHERATS

IVTHEWOODPECKER,TURTLE,ANDDEER

VTHEGOLDENGOOSE

VITHESTUPIDMONKEYS

VIITHECUNNINGWOLF

VIIITHEPENNY-WISEMONKEY

IXTHERED-BUDTREE

XTHEWOODPECKERANDTHELION

XITHEOTTERSANDTHEWOLF

XIIHOWTHEMONKEYSAVEDHISTROOP

XIIITHEHAWKSANDTHEIRFRIENDS

XIVTHEBRAVELITTLEBOWMAN

XVTHEFOOLHARDYWOLF

XVITHESTOLENPLOW

XVIITHELIONINBADCOMPANY

XVIIITHEWISEGOATANDTHEWOLF

XIXPRINCEWICKEDANDTHEGRATEFULANIMALS

XXBEAUTYANDBROWNIE

XXITHEELEPHANTANDTHEDOG

ITHEGIRLMONKEYANDTHESTRINGOFPEARLS

Onedaythekingwentforalongwalkinthewoods.Whenhecamebacktohisowngarden,hesentforhisfamilytocomedowntothelakeforaswim.

Whentheywereallreadytogointothewater,thequeenandherladieslefttheirjewelsinchargeoftheservants,andthenwentdownintothelake.

Asthequeenputherstringofpearlsawayinabox,shewaswatchedbyaGirlMonkeywhosatinthebranchesofatreenear-by.ThisGirlMonkeywantedtogetthequeen'sstringofpearls,soshesatstillandwatched,hopingthattheservantinchargeofthepearlswouldgotosleep.

Atfirsttheservantkepthereyesonthejewel-box.Butbyandbyshebegantonod,andthenshefellfastasleep.

AssoonastheMonkeysawthis,quickasthewindshejumpeddown,openedthebox,pickedupthestringofpearls,andquickasthewindshewasupinthetreeagain,holdingthepearlsverycarefully.Sheputthestringofpearlson,andthen,forfeartheguardsinthegardenwouldseethepearls,theMonkeyhidtheminaholeinthetree.Thenshesatnear-bylookingasifnothinghadhappened.

Byandbytheservantawoke.Shelookedinthebox,andfindingthatthestringofpearlswasnotthere,shecried,"Amanhasrunoffwiththequeen'sstringofpearls."

Uprantheguardsfromeveryside.

Theservantsaid:"Isatrightherebesidetheboxwherethequeenputherstringofpearls.Ididnotmovefromtheplace.Butthedayishot,andIwastired.Imusthavefallenasleep.ThepearlsweregonewhenIawoke."

Theguardstoldthekingthatthepearlsweregone.

"Findthemanwhostolethepearls,"saidtheking.Awaywenttheguardslookinghighandlowforthethief.

Afterthekinghadgone,thechiefguardsaidtohimself:

"Thereissomethingstrangehere.Thesepearls,"thoughthe,"werelostinthegarden.Therewasastrongguardatthegates,sothatnoonefromtheoutsidecouldgetintothegarden.Ontheotherhand,therearehundredsofMonkeyshereinthegarden.PerhapsoneoftheGirlMonkeystookthestringofpearls."

ThenthechiefguardthoughtofatrickthatwouldtellwhetheraGirlMonkeyhadtakenthepearls.Soheboughtanumberofstringsofbright-coloredglassbeads.

Afterdarkthatnighttheguardshungthestringsofglassbeadshereandthereonthelowbushesinthegarden.WhentheMonkeyssawthestringsofbright-coloredbeadsthenextmorning,eachMonkeyranforastring.

ButtheGirlMonkeywhohadtakenthequeen'sstringofpearlsdidnotcomedown.Shesatneartheholewhereshehadhiddenthepearls.

TheotherMonkeysweregreatlypleasedwiththeirstringsofbeads.Theychatteredtooneanotheraboutthem."Itistoobadyoudidnotgetone,"theysaidtoherasshesatquietly,sayingnothing.Atlastshecouldstanditnolonger.Sheputonthequeen'sstringofpearlsandcamedown,sayingproudly:"Youhaveonlystringsofglassbeads.Seemystringofpearls!"

Thenthechiefoftheguards,whohadbeenhidingnearby,caughttheGirlMonkey.Hetookheratoncetotheking.

"ItwasthisGirlMonkey,yourMajesty,whotookthepearls."

Thekingwasgladenoughtogetthepearls,butheaskedthechiefguardhowhehadfoundoutwhotookthem.

ThechiefguardtoldthekingthatheknewnoonecouldhavecomeintothegardenandsohethoughttheymusthavebeentakenbyoneoftheMonkeysinthegarden.Thenhetoldthekingaboutthetrickhehadplayedwiththebeads.

"Youaretherightmanintherightplace,"saidtheking,andhethankedthechiefoftheguardsoverandoveragain.

[Illustration]

II.

THETHREEFISHES

OnceuponatimethreeFisheslivedinafar-awayriver.TheywerenamedThoughtful,Very-Thoughtful,andThoughtless.

Onedaytheyleftthewildcountrywherenomenlived,andcamedowntherivertolivenearatown.

Very-Thoughtfulsaidtotheothertwo:"Thereisdangerallaboutushere.Fishermencometotheriverheretocatchfishwithallsortsofnetsandlines.Letusgobackagaintothewildcountrywhereweusedtolive."

ButtheothertwoFishesweresolazyandsogreedythattheykeptputtingofftheirgoingfromdaytoday.

ButonedayThoughtfulandThoughtlesswentswimmingonaheadofVery-Thoughtfulandtheydidnotseethefisherman'snetandrushedintoit.Very-Thoughtfulsawthemrushintothenet.

"Imustsavethem,"saidVery-Thoughtful.

Soswimmingaroundthenet,hesplashedinthewaterinfrontofit,likeaFishthathadbrokenthroughthenetandgoneuptheriver.ThenheswambackofthenetandsplashedabouttherelikeaFishthathadbrokenthroughandgonedown

theriver.

[Illustration]

ThefishermansawthesplashingwaterandthoughttheFisheshadbrokenthroughthenetandthatonehadgoneuptheriver,theotherdown,sohepulledinthenetbyonecorner.ThatletthetwoFishesoutofthenetandawaytheywenttofindVery-Thoughtful.

"Yousavedourlives,Very-Thoughtful,"theysaid,"andnowwearewillingtogobacktothewildcountry."

Sobacktheyallwenttotheiroldhomewheretheylivedsafelyeverafter.

III

THETRICKYWOLFANDTHERATS

OnceuponatimeaBigRatlivedintheforest,andmanyhundredsofotherRatscalledhimtheirChief.

ATrickyWolfsawthistroopofRats,andbegantoplanhowhecouldcatchthem.Hewantedtoeatthem,buthowwashetogetthem?Atlasthethoughtofaplan.HewenttoacornernearthehomeoftheRatsandwaiteduntilhesawoneofthemcoming.Thenhestooduponhishindlegs.

TheChiefoftheRatssaidtotheWolf,"Wolf,whydoyoustandonyourhindlegs?"

"BecauseIamlame,"saidtheTrickyWolf."Ithurtsmetostandonmyfrontlegs."

"Andwhydoyoukeepyourmouthopen?"askedtheRat.

"IkeepmymouthopensothatImaydrinkinalltheairIcan,"saidtheWolf."Iliveonair;itismyonlyfooddayafterday.Icannotrunorwalk,soIstayhere.Itrynottocomplain."WhentheRatswentawaytheWolflaydown.

TheChiefoftheRatswassorryfortheWolf,andhewenteachnightandmorningwithalltheotherRatstotalkwiththeWolf,whoseemedsopoor,andwhodidnotcomplain.

[Illustration]

EachtimeastheRatswereleaving,theWolfcaughtandatethelastone.Thenhewipedhislips,andlookedasifnothinghadhappened.

EachnighttherewerefewerRatsatbedtime.ThentheyaskedtheChiefoftheRatswhatthetroublewas.Hecouldnotbesure,buthethoughttheWolfwastoblame.

SothenextdaytheChiefsaidtotheotherRats,"YougofirstthistimeandIwillgolast."

Theydidso,andastheChiefoftheRatswentby,theWolfmadeaspringathim.ButtheWolfwasnotquickenough,andtheChiefoftheRatsgotaway.

"Sothisisthefoodyoueat.Yourlegsarenotsolameastheywere.Youhaveplayedyourlasttrick,Wolf,"saidtheChiefoftheRats,springingattheWolf'sthroat.HebittheWolf,sothathedied.

AndeveraftertheRatslivedhappilyinpeaceandquiet.

IV

THEWOODPECKER,TURTLE,ANDDEER

OnceuponatimeaDeerlivedinaforestnearalake.Notfarfromthesamelake,aWoodpeckerhadanestinthetopofatree;andinthelakelivedaTurtle.Thethreewerefriends,andlivedtogetherhappily.

Ahunter,wanderingaboutinthewood,sawthefootprintsoftheDeerneartheedgeofthelake."ImusttraptheDeer,goingdownintothewater,"hesaid,andsettingastrongtrapofleather,hewenthisway.

EarlythatnightwhentheDeerwentdowntodrink,hewascaughtinthetrap,andhecriedthecryofcapture.

AtoncetheWoodpeckerflewdownfromhertree-top,andtheTurtlecameoutofthewatertoseewhatcouldbedone.

SaidtheWoodpeckertotheTurtle:"Friend,youhaveteeth;yougnawthroughtheleathertrap.Iwillgoandseetoitthatthehunterkeepsaway.Ifwebothdoourbestourfriendwillnotlosehislife."

SotheTurtlebegantognawtheleather,andtheWoodpeckerflewtothehunter'shouse.

Atdawnthehuntercame,knifeinhand,tothefrontdoorofhishouse.

[Illustration]

TheWoodpecker,flappingherwings,flewatthehunterandstruckhimintheface.

[Illustration]

Thehunterturnedbackintothehouseandlaydownforalittlewhile.Thenheroseupagain,andtookhisknife.Hesaidtohimself:"WhenIwentoutbythefrontdoor,aBirdflewinmyface;nowIwillgooutbythebackdoor."Sohedid.

TheWoodpeckerthought:"Thehunterwentoutbythefrontdoorbefore,sonowhewillleavebythebackdoor."SotheWoodpeckersatinatreenearthebackdoor.

Whenthehuntercameoutthebirdflewathimagain,flappingherwingsinthehunter'sface.

Thenthehunterturnedbackandlaydownagain.Whenthesunarose,hetookhisknife,andstartedoutoncemore.

ThistimetheWoodpeckerflewbackasfastasshecouldflytoherfriends,crying,"Herecomesthehunter!"

BythistimetheTurtlehadgnawedthroughallthepiecesofthetrapbutone.Theleatherwassohardthatitmadehisteethfeelasiftheywouldfallout.Hismouthwasallcoveredwithblood.TheDeerheardtheWoodpecker,andsawthehunter,knifeinhand,comingon.WithastrongpulltheDeerbrokethislastpieceofthetrap,andranintothewoods.

TheWoodpeckerflewuptohernestinthetree-top.

ButtheTurtlewassoweakhecouldnotgetaway.Helaywherehewas.Thehunterpickedhimupandthrewhimintoabag,tyingittoatree.

TheDeersawthattheTurtlewastaken,andmadeuphismindtosavehisfriend'slife.SotheDeerletthehunterseehim.

ThehunterseizedhisknifeandstartedaftertheDeer.TheDeer,keepingjustoutofhisreach,ledthehunterintotheforest.

WhentheDeersawthattheyhadgonefarintotheforestheslippedawayfromthehunter,andswiftasthewind,hewentbyanotherwaytowherehehadlefttheTurtle.

ButtheTurtlewasnotthere.TheDeercalled,"Turtle,Turtle!";andtheTurtle

calledout,"HereIaminabaghangingonthistree."

ThentheDeerliftedthebagwithhishorns,andthrowingitupontheground,hetorethebagopen,andlettheTurtleout.

TheWoodpeckerflewdownfromhernest,andtheDeersaidtothem:"Youtwofriendssavedmylife,butifwestayheretalking,thehunterwillfindus,andwemaynotgetaway.Sodoyou,FriendWoodpecker,flyaway.Andyou,FriendTurtle,diveintothewater.Iwillhideintheforest."

Thehunterdidcomeback,butneithertheDeer,northeTurtle,northeWoodpeckerwastobeseen.Hefoundhistornbag,andpickingthatuphewentbacktohishome.

Thethreefriendslivedtogetheralltherestoftheirlives.

V

THEGOLDENGOOSE

OnceuponatimetherewasaGoosewhohadbeautifulgoldenfeathers.NotfarawayfromthisGooselivedapoor,averypoorwoman,whohadtwodaughters.TheGoosesawthattheyhadahardtimetogetalongandsaidhetohimself:

"IfIgivethemoneafteranotherofmygoldenfeathers,themothercansellthem,andwiththemoneytheybringsheandherdaughterscanthenliveincomfort."

SoawaytheGooseflewtothepoorwoman'shouse.

SeeingtheGoose,thewomansaid:"Whydoyoucomehere?Wehavenothingtogiveyou."

"ButIhavesomethingtogiveyou,"saidtheGoose."Iwillgivemyfeathers,onebyone,andyoucansellthemforenoughsothatyouandyourdaughterscanliveincomfort."

SosayingtheGoosegaveheroneofhisfeathers,andthenflewaway.Fromtimetotimehecameback,eachtimeleavinganotherfeather.

Themotherandherdaughterssoldthebeautifulfeathersforenoughmoneytokeepthemincomfort.Butonedaythemothersaidtoherdaughters:"LetusnottrustthisGoose.Somedayhemayflyawayandnevercomeback.Thenweshouldbepooragain.Letusgetallofhisfeatherstheverynexttimehecomes."

[Illustration]

Thedaughterssaid:"ThiswillhurttheGoose.Wewillnotdosuchathing."

Butthemotherwasgreedy.ThenexttimetheGoldenGoosecameshetookhold

ofhimwithbothhands,andpulledouteveryoneofhisfeathers.

NowtheGoldenGoosehasstrangefeathers.Ifhisfeathersarepluckedoutagainsthiswish,theynolongerremaingoldenbutturnwhiteandareofnomorevaluethanchicken-feathers.Thenewonesthatcomeinarenotgolden,butplainwhite.

[Illustration]

Astimewentonhisfeathersgrewagain,andthenheflewawaytohishomeandnevercamebackagain.

VI

THESTUPIDMONKEYS

Onceuponatimeakinggaveaholidaytoallthepeopleinoneofhiscities.

Theking'sgardenerthoughttohimself:"Allmyfriendsarehavingaholidayinthecity.IcouldgointothecityandenjoymyselfwiththemifIdidnothavetowaterthetreeshereinthisgarden.IknowwhatIwilldo.IwillgettheMonkeystowatertheyoungtreesforme."Inthosedays,atribeofMonkeyslivedintheking'sgarden.

SothegardenerwenttotheChiefoftheMonkeys,andsaid:"YouareluckyMonkeystobelivingintheking'sgarden.Youhaveafineplacetoplayin.Youhavethebestoffood—nuts,fruit,andtheyoungshootsoftreestoeat.Youhavenoworkatalltodo.Youcanplayallday,everyday.To-daymyfriendsarehavingaholidayinthecity,andIwanttoenjoymyselfwiththem.WillyouwatertheyoungtreessothatIcangoaway?"

"Oh,yes!"saidtheChiefoftheMonkeys."Weshallbegladtodothat."

"Donotforgettowaterthetreeswhenthesungoesdown.Seetheyhaveplentyofwater,butnottoomuch,"saidthegardener.Thenheshowedthemwherethewatering-potswerekept,andwentaway.

[Illustration]

WhenthesunwentdowntheMonkeystookthewatering-pots,andbegantowatertheyoungtrees."Seethateachtreehasenoughwater,"saidtheChiefoftheMonkeys.

"Howshallweknowwheneachtreehasenough?"theyasked.TheChiefofthe

Monkeyshadnogoodanswer,sohesaid:"Pullupeachyoungtreeandlookatthelengthofitsroots.Giveagreatdealofwatertothosewithlongroots,butonlyalittletothosetreesthathaveshortroots."

ThenthosestupidMonkeyspulledupalltheyoungtreestoseewhichtreeshadlongrootsandwhichhadshortroots.

Whenthegardenercamebackthenextday,thepooryoungtreeswerealldead.

VII

THECUNNINGWOLF

Onceuponatimethepeopleinacertaintownwentoutintothewoodsforaholiday.Theytookbasketsfullofgoodthingstoeat.Butwhennoontimecametheyateallthemeattheyhadbroughtwiththem,notleavinganyforsupper.

"Iwillgetsomefreshmeat.Wewillmakeafirehereandroastit,"saidoneofthemen.

Sotakingaclub,hewenttothelakewheretheanimalscametodrink.Helaydown,clubinhand,pretendingtobedead.

Whentheanimalscamedowntothelaketheysawthemanlyingthereandtheywatchedhimforsometime.

"Thatmanisplayingatrickonus,Ibelieve,"saidtheKingoftheWolves."TherestofyoustayherewhileIwillseewhetherheisreallydead,orwhetherheispretendingtobedead."

ThenthecunningKingoftheWolvescreptuptothemanandslylypulledathisclub.

Atoncethemanpulledbackonhisclub.

ThentheKingoftheWolvesranoffsaying:"Ifyouhadbeendead,youwouldnothavepulledbackonyourclubwhenItriedtopullitaway.Iseeyourtrick.Youpretendyouaredeadsothatyoumaykilloneofusforyoursupper."

[Illustration]

ThemanjumpedupandthrewhisclubattheKingoftheWolves.Buthemissed

hisaim.Helookedfortheotheranimalsbuttherewasnotoneinsight.Theyhadallrunaway.

Thenthemanwentbacktohisfriends,saying:"Itriedtogetfreshmeatbyplayingatrickontheanimals,butthecunningWolfplayedabettertrickonme,andIcouldnotgetoneofthem."

[Illustration]

VIII

THEPENNY-WISEMONKEY

Onceuponatimethekingofalargeandrichcountrygatheredtogetherhisarmytotakeafarawaylittlecountry.Thekingandhissoldiersmarchedallmorninglongandthenwentintocampintheforest.

Whentheyfedthehorsestheygavethemsomepeastoeat.OneoftheMonkeyslivingintheforestsawthepeasandjumpeddowntogetsomeofthem.Hefilledhismouthandhandswiththem,andupintothetreehewentagain,andsatdowntoeatthepeas.

Ashesatthereeatingthepeas,onepeafellfromhishandtotheground.AtoncethegreedyMonkeydroppedallthepeashehadinhishands,andrandowntohuntforthelostpea.Buthecouldnotfindthatonepea.Heclimbedupintohistreeagain,andsatstilllookingveryglum."Togetmore,IthrewawaywhatIhad,"hesaidtohimself.

ThekinghadwatchedtheMonkey,andhesaidtohimself:"IwillnotbelikethisfoolishMonkey,wholostmuchtogainalittle.IwillgobacktomyowncountryandenjoywhatInowhave."

Soheandhismenmarchedbackhome.

IX

THERED-BUDTREE

Onceuponatimefouryoungprincesheardastoryaboutacertainwonderfultree,calledtheRed-BudTree.NooneofthemhadeverseenaRed-BudTree,andeachprincewishedtobethefirsttoseeone.Sotheeldestprinceaskedthedriveroftheking'schariottotakehimdeepintothewoodswherethistreegrew.Itwasstillveryearlyinthespringandthetreehadnoleaves,norbuds.Itwasblackandbarelikeadeadtree.TheprincecouldnotunderstandwhythiswascalledaRed-BudTree,butheaskednoquestions.

Laterinthespring,thenextsonwentwiththedriveroftheking'schariottoseetheRed-BudTree.Atthistimeitwascoveredwithredbuds.

Thetreewasallcoveredwithgreenleaveswhenthethirdsonwentintothewoodsalittlelatertoseeit.Heaskednoquestionsaboutit,buthecouldseenoreasonforcallingittheRed-BudTree.

SometimeafterthistheyoungestprincebeggedtobetakentoseetheRed-BudTree.Bythistimeitwascoveredwithlittlebean-pods.

Whenhecamebackfromthewoodsheranintothegardenwherehisbrotherswereplaying,crying,"IhaveseentheRed-BudTree."

[Illustration]

"SohaveI,"saidtheeldestprince."Itdidnotlooklikemuchofatreetome,"saidhe;"itlookedlikeadeadtree.Itwasblackandbare."

"Whatmakesyousaythat?"saidthesecondson."Thetreehashundredsofbeautifulredbuds.ThisiswhyitiscalledtheRed-BudTree."

Thethirdprincesaid:"Redbuds,didyousay?Whydoyousayithasredbuds?Itiscoveredwithgreenleaves."

Theprincewhohadseenthetreelastlaughedathisbrothers,saying:"Ihavejustseenthattree,anditisnotlikeadeadtree.Ithasneitherredbudsnorgreenleavesonit.Itiscoveredwithlittlebean-pods."

Thekingheardthemandwaiteduntiltheystoppedtalking.Thenhesaid:"Mysons,youhaveallfourseenthesametree,buteachofyousawitatadifferenttimeoftheyear."

X

THEWOODPECKERANDTHELION

OnedaywhileaLionwaseatinghisdinnerabonestuckinhisthroat.Ithurtsothathecouldnotfinishhisdinner.Hewalkedupanddown,upanddown,roaringwithpain.

AWoodpeckerlitonabranchofatreenear-by,andhearingtheLion,shesaid,"Friend,whatailsyou?"TheLiontoldtheWoodpeckerwhatthematterwas,andtheWoodpeckersaid:"Iwouldtaketheboneoutofyourthroat,friend,butIdonotdaretoputmyheadintoyourmouth,forfearImightnevergetitoutagain.Iamafraidyoumighteatme"

"OWoodpecker,donotbeafraid,"theLionsaid."Iwillnoteatyou.Savemylifeifyoucan!"

"IwillseewhatIcandoforyou,"saidtheWoodpecker."Openyourmouthwide."TheLiondidashewastold,buttheWoodpeckersaidtohimself:"WhoknowswhatthisLionwilldo?IthinkIwillbecareful."

SotheWoodpeckerputastickbetweentheLion'supperandlowerjawssothathecouldnotshuthismouth.

ThentheWoodpeckerhoppedintotheLion'smouthandhittheendofthebonewithhisbeak.Thesecondtimehehitit,thebonefellout.

[Illustration]

TheWoodpeckerhoppedoutoftheLion'smouth,andhitthesticksothatittoofellout.ThentheLioncouldshuthismouth.

AtoncetheLionfeltverymuchbetter,butnotonewordofthanksdidhesayto

theWoodpecker.

Onedaylaterinthesummer,theWoodpeckersaidtotheLion,"Iwantyoutodosomethingforme."

"Dosomethingforyou?"saidtheLion."Youmeanyouwantmetodosomethingmoreforyou.Ihavealreadydoneagreatdealforyou.Youcannotexpectmetodoanythingmoreforyou.DonotforgetthatonceIhadyouinmymouth,andIletyougo.Thatisallthatyoucaneverexpectmetodoforyou."

TheWoodpeckersaidnomore,buthekeptawayfromtheLionfromthatdayon.

XI

THEOTTERSANDTHEWOLF

OnedayaWolfsaidtohermate,"Alonginghascomeuponmetoeatfreshfish."

"Iwillgoandgetsomeforyou,"saidheandhewentdowntotheriver.

TherehesawtwoOttersstandingonthebanklookingforfish.SoononeoftheOtterssawagreatfish,andenteringthewaterwithabound,hecaughtholdofthetailofthefish.

Butthefishwasstrongandswamaway,draggingtheOtterafterhim."Comeandhelpme,"theOttercalledbacktohisfriend."Thisgreatfishwillbeenoughforbothofus!"

SotheotherOtterwentintothewater.Thetwotogetherwereabletobringthefishtoland."Letusdividethefishintotwoparts."

"Iwantthehalfwiththeheadon,"saidone.

"Youcannothavethathalf.Thatismine,"saidtheother."Youtakethetail."

TheWolfheardtheOttersandhewentuptothem.

SeeingtheWolf,theOtterssaid:"Lordofthegray-grasscolor,thisfishwascaughtbybothofustogether.Wecannotagreeaboutdividinghim.Willyoudividehimforus?"

TheWolfcutoffthetailandgaveittoone,givingtheheadtotheother.Hetookthelargemiddlepartforhimself,sayingtothem,"Youcaneattheheadandthetailwithoutquarreling."Andawayheranwiththebodyofthefish.TheOtters

stoodandlookedateachother.Theyhadnothingtosay,buteachthoughttohimselfthattheWolfhadrunoffwiththebestofthefish.

[Illustration]

TheWolfwaspleasedandsaidtohimself,asherantowardhome,"NowIhavefreshfishformymate."

Hismate,seeinghimcoming,cametomeethim,saying:"Howdidyougetfish?Youliveonland,notinthewater."

ThenhetoldherofthequarreloftheOtters."Itookthefishaspayforsettlingtheirquarrel,"saidhe.

XII

HOWTHEMONKEYSAVEDHISTROOP

Amango-treegrewonthebankofagreatriver.Thefruitfellfromsomeofthebranchesofthistreeintotheriver,andfromotherbranchesitfellontheground.

EverynightatroopofMonkeysgatheredthefruitthatlayonthegroundandclimbedupintothetreetogetthemangoes,whichwerelikelarge,juicypeaches.

Onedaythekingofthecountrystoodonthebankofthissameriver,butmanymilesbelowwherethemango-treegrew.Thekingwaswatchingthefishermenwiththeirnets.

Astheydrewintheirnets,thefishermenfoundnotonlyfishesbutastrangefruit.Theywenttothekingwiththestrangefruit."Whatisthis?"askedtheking."Wedonotknow,OKing,"theysaid.

"Calltheforesters,"saidtheking,"Theywillknowwhatitis."

Sotheycalledtheforestersandtheysaidthatitwasamango.

"Isitgoodtoeat?"askedtheking.

[Illustration]

Theforesterssaiditwasverygood.Sothekingcutthemangoandgivingsometotheprinces,heatesomeofithimself.Helikeditverymuch,andtheyalllikedit.

Thenthekingsaidtotheforesters,"Wheredoesthemango-treegrow?"

Theforesterstoldhimthatitgrewontheriverbankmanymilesfartheruptheriver.

"Letusgoandseethetreeandgetsomemangoes,"saidtheking.

Sohehadmanyraftsjoinedtogether,andtheywentuptheriveruntiltheycametotheplacewherethemango-treegrew.

Theforesterssaid,"OKing,thisisthemango-tree."

"Wewilllandhere,"saidtheking,andtheydidso.Thekingandallthemenwithhimgatheredthemangoesthatlayonthegroundunderthetree.Theyalllikedthemsowellthatthekingsaid,"Letusstayhereto-night,andgathermorefruitinthemorning."Sotheyhadtheirsupperunderthetrees,andthenlaydowntosleep.

Whenallwasquiet,theChiefoftheMonkeyscamewithhistroop.Allthemangoesonthegroundhadbeeneaten,sothemonkeysjumpedfrombranchtobranch,pickingandeatingmangoes,andchatteringtooneanother.Theymadesomuchnoisethattheywokeuptheking.Hecalledhisarcherssaying:"Standunderthemango-treeandshoottheMonkeysastheycomedowntothegroundtogetaway.TheninthemorningweshallhaveMonkey'sfleshaswellasmangoestoeat."

TheMonkeyssawthearchersstandingaroundwiththeirarrowsreadytoshoot.Fearingdeath,theMonkeysrantotheirChief,saying:"OChief,thearchersstandaroundthetreereadytoshootus!Whatshallwedo?"Theyshookwithfear.

TheChiefsaid:"Donotfear;Iwillsaveyou.StaywhereyouareuntilIcallyou."

TheMonkeyswerecomforted,forhehadalwayshelpedthemwhenevertheyhadneededhelp.

ThentheChiefoftheMonkeysranoutonthebranchofthemango-treethathungoutovertheriver.Thelongbranchesofthetreeacrosstheriverdidnotquitemeetthebranchhestoodon.TheChiefsaidtohimself:"IftheMonkeystrytojumpacrossfromthistreetothat,someofthemwillfallintothewateranddrown.Imustsavethem,buthowamItodoit?IknowwhatIshalldo.Ishall

makeabridgeofmyback."

SotheChiefreachedacrossandtookholdofthelongestbranchofthetreeacrosstheriver.Hecalled,"Come,Monkeys;runoutonthisbranch,steponmyback,andthenrunalongthebranchoftheothertree."

TheMonkeysdidastheChieftoldthemtodo.Theyranalongthebranch,steppedonhisback,thenranalongthebranchoftheothertree.Theyswungthemselvesdowntotheground,andawaytheywentbacktotheirhome.

ThekingsawallthatwasdonebytheChiefandhistroop."ThatbigMonkey,"saidthekingtothearchers,"savedthewholetroop.Iwillseetoitthatheistakencareoftherestofhislife."

Andthekingkepthispromise.

XIII

THEHAWKSANDTHEIRFRIENDS

AfamilyofHawkslivedonanislandinalakenotfarfromthegreatforest.OnthenorthernshoreofthislakelivedaLion,KingofBeasts.OntheeasternshorelivedaKingfisher.OnthesouthernshoreofthelakelivedaTurtle.

"Haveyoumanyfriendsnearhere?"theMotherHawkaskedtheFatherHawk.

"No,notoneinthispartoftheforest,"hesaid.

"Youmustfindsomefriends.Wemusthavesomeonewhocanhelpusifeverweareindanger,orintrouble,"saidtheMotherHawk.

"WithwhomshallImakefriends?"askedtheFatherHawk.

"WiththeKingfisher,wholivesontheeasternshore,andwiththeLiononthenorth,"saidtheMotherHawk,"andwiththeTurtlewholivesonthesouthernshoreofthislake."

TheFatherHawkdidso.

Onedaymenhuntedinthegreatforestfrommorninguntilnight,butfoundnothing.Notwishingtogohomeempty-handed,theywenttotheislandtoseewhattheycouldfindthere.

"Letusstayhereto-night,"theysaid,"andseewhatwecanfindinthemorning."

Sotheymadebedsofleavesforthemselvesandlaydowntosleep.TheyhadmadetheirbedsunderthetreeinwhichtheHawkshadtheirnest.

Butthehunterscouldnotgotosleepbecausetheywerebotheredbythefliesandmosquitoes.Atlastthehuntersgotupandmadeafireontheshoreofthelake,sothatthesmokewoulddriveawaythefliesandmosquitoes.Thesmokeawokethebirds,andtheyoungonescriedout.

"Didyouhearthat?"saidoneofthehunters."Thatwasthecryofbirds!Theywilldoverywellforourbreakfast.Thereareyoungonesinthatnest."Andthehuntersputmorewoodonthefire,andmadeitblazeup.

ThentheMotherbirdsaidtotheFather:"Thesemenareplanningtoeatouryoungones.Wemustaskourfriendstosaveus.GototheKingfisherandtellhimwhatdangerwearein."

TheFatherHawkflewwithallspeedtotheKingfisher'snestandwokehimwithhiscry.

"Whyhaveyoucome?"askedtheKingfisher.

ThentheFatherHawktoldtheKingfisherwhatthehuntersplannedtodo.

"Fearnot,"saidtheKingfisher."Iwillhelpyou.Gobackquicklyandcomfortmyfriendyourmate,andsaythatIamcoming."

SotheFatherHawkflewbacktohisnest,andtheKingfisherflewtotheislandandwentintothelakeneartheplacewherethefirewasburning.

WhiletheFatherHawkwasaway,oneofthehuntershadclimbedupintothetree.Justashenearedthenest,theKingfisher,beatingthewaterwithhiswings,sprinkledwateronthefireandputitout.

Downcamethehuntertomakeanotherfire.Whenitwasburningwellheclimbedthetreeagain.OncemoretheKingfisherputitout.Asoftenasafirewasmade,theKingfisherputitout.MidnightcameandtheKingfisherwasnowverytired.

TheMotherHawknoticedthisandsaidtohermate:"TheKingfisheristiredout.GoandasktheTurtletohelpussothattheKingfishermayhavearest."

TheFatherHawkflewdownandsaid,"Restawhile,FriendKingfisher;IwillgoandgettheTurtle."

SotheFatherHawkflewtothesouthernshoreandwakenedtheTurtle.

"Whatisyourerrand,Friend?"askedtheTurtle.

"Dangerhascometous,"saidtheFatherHawk,andhetoldtheTurtleaboutthehunters."TheKingfisherhasbeenworkingforhours,andnowheisverytired.ThatiswhyIhavecometoyou."

TheTurtlesaid,"Iwillhelpyouatonce."

ThentheTurtlewenttotheislandwheretheHawkslived.Hedivedintothewater,collectedsomemud,andputoutthefirewithit.Thenhelaystill.

Thehunterscried:"WhyshouldwebothertogettheyoungHawks?LetuskillthisTurtle.Hewillmakeafinebreakfastforallofus.Wemustbecarefulorhewillbiteus.Letusthrowanetoverhimandturnhimover."

Theyhadnonetswiththem,sotheytooksomevines,andtoretheirclothesintostringsandmadeanet.

ButwhentheyhadputthenetallovertheTurtle,theycouldnotrollhimover.Instead,theTurtlesuddenlydiveddownintothedeepwater.Themenweresoeagertogethimthattheydidnotletgoofthenet,sodowntheywentintothewater.Astheycameouttheysaid:"HalfthenightaKingfisherkeptputtingoutourfires.NowwehavetornourclothesandgotallwettryingtogetthisTurtle.Wewillbuildanotherfire,andatsunrisewewilleatthoseyoungHawks."Andtheybegantobuildanotherfire.

TheMotherHawkheardthem,andsaidtohermate:"Soonerorlaterthesemenwillgetouryoung.DogoandtellourfriendtheLion."

AtoncetheFatherHawkflewtotheLion.

"Whydoyoucomeatthishourofthenight?"askedtheLion.

TheHawktoldhimthewholestory.

TheLionsaid:"Iwillcomeatonce.Yougobackandcomfortyourmateandtheyoungones."SoontheLioncameroaring.

WhenthehuntersheardtheLion'sroartheycried,"Nowweshallallbekilled."Andawaytheyranasfastastheycouldgo.

WhentheLioncametothefootofthetree,notoneofthehunterswastobeseen.ThentheKingfisherandtheTurtlecameup,andtheHawkssaid:"Youhavesavedus.Friendsinneedarefriendsindeed."

XIV

THEBRAVELITTLEBOWMAN

Onceuponatimetherewasalittlemanwithacrookedbackwhowascalledthewiselittlebowmanbecauseheusedhisbowandarrowsoverywell.Thiscrookedlittlemansaidtohimself:"IfIgotothekingandaskhimtoletmejoinhisarmy,he'ssuretoaskwhatalittlemanlikemeisgoodfor.Imustfindsomegreatbigmanwhowilltakemeashispage,andaskthekingtotakeus."Sothelittlebowmanwentaboutthecitylookingforabigman.

Onedayhesawabig,strongmandiggingaditch"Whatmakesafinebigmanlikeyoudosuchwork?"askedthelittleman.

"IdothisworkbecauseIcanearnalivinginnootherway,"saidthebigman.

"Dignomore,"saidthebowman."ThereisinthiswholecountrynosuchbowmanasIam;butnokingwouldletmejoinhisarmybecauseIamsuchalittleman.Iwantyoutoaskthekingtoletyoujointhearmy.Hewilltakeyoubecauseyouarebigandstrong.Iwilldotheworkthatyouaregiventodo,andwewilldividethepay.Inthiswayweshallbothofusearnagoodliving.WillyoucomewithmeanddoasItellyou?"askedthelittlebowman.

"Yes,Iwillgowithyou,"saidthebigman.

Sotogethertheysetouttogototheking.Byandbytheycametothegatesofthepalace,andsentwordtothekingthatawonderfulbowmanwasthere.Thekingsentforthebowmantocomebeforehim.Boththebigmanandthelittlemanwentinand,bowing,stoodbeforetheking.

Thekinglookedatthebigmanandasked,"Whatbringsyouhere?"

"Iwanttobeinyourarmy,"saidthebigman.

"Whoisthelittlemanwithyou?"askedtheking.

"Heismypage,"saidthebigman.

"Whatpaydoyouwant?"askedtheking.

"Athousandpiecesamonthformeandmypage,OKing,"saidthebigman.

"Iwilltakeyouandyourpage,"saidtheking.

Sothebigmanandthelittlebowmanjoinedtheking'sarmy.

Nowinthosedaystherewasatigerintheforestwhohadcarriedoffmanypeople.Thekingsentforthebigmanandtoldhimtokillthattiger.

Thebigmantoldthelittlebowmanwhatthekingsaid.Theywentintotheforesttogether,andsoonthelittlebowmanshotthetiger.

Thekingwasgladtoberidofthetiger,andgavethebigmanrichgiftsandpraisedhim.

Anotherdaywordcamethatabuffalowasrunningupanddownacertainroad.Thekingtoldthebigmantogoandkillthatbuffalo.Thebigmanandthelittlemanwenttotheroad,andsoonthelittlemanshotthebuffalo.Whentheybothwentbacktotheking,hegaveabagofmoneytothebigman.

Thekingandallthepeoplepraisedthebigman,andsoonedaythebigmansaidtothelittleman:"Icangetonwithoutyou.Doyouthinkthere'snobowmanbutyourself?"Manyotherharshandunkindthingsdidhesaytothelittleman.

Butafewdayslaterakingfromafarcountrymarcheduponthecityandsentamessagetoitskingsaying,"Giveupyourcountry,ordobattle."

Thekingatoncesenthisarmy.Thebigmanwasarmedandmountedonawar-elephant.Butthelittlebowmanknewthatthebigmancouldnotshoot,sohetookhisbowandseatedhimselfbehindthebigman.

Thenthewar-elephant,attheheadofthearmy,wentoutofthecity.Atthefirst

beatofthedrums,thebigmanshookwithfear."Holdontight,"saidthelittlebowman."Ifyoufalloffnow,youwillbekilled.Youneednotbeafraid;Iamhere."

[Illustration]

Butthebigmanwassoafraidthatheslippeddownoffthewar-elephant'sback,andranbackintothecity.Hedidnotstopuntilhereachedhishome.

"Andnowtowin!"saidthelittlebowman,ashedrovethewar-elephantintothefight.Thearmybrokeintothecampofthekingthatcamefromafar,anddrovehimbacktohisowncountry.Thenthelittlebowmanledthearmybackintothecity.Thekingandallthepeoplecalledhim"thebravelittlebowman."Thekingmadehimthechiefofthearmy,givinghimrichgifts.

XV

THEFOOLHARDYWOLF

Alionboundedforthfromhislaironeday,lookingnorth,west,south,andeast.HesawaBuffaloandwenttokillhim.

TheLionatealloftheBuffalo-meathewanted,andthenwentdowntothelakeforadrink.

AstheLionturnedtogotowardhisdenforanap,hecameuponahungryWolf.

TheWolfhadnochancetogetaway,sohethrewhimselfattheLion'sfeet.

"Whatdoyouwant?"theLionasked.

"OLion,letmebeyourservant,"saidtheWolf."Verywell,"saidtheLion,"serveme,andyoushallhavegoodfoodtoeat."

Sosaying,theLionwentintohisdenforhisnap.Whenhewokeup,theLionsaidtotheWolf:"Eachdayyoumustgotothemountaintop,andseewhetherthereareanyelephants,orponies,orbuffaloesabout.Ifyouseeany,cometomeandsay:'GreatLion,comeforthinthymight.Foodisinsight.'ThenIwillkillandeat,andgivepartofthemeattoyou."

SodayafterdaytheWolfclimbedtothemountaintop,andseeingapony,orabuffalo,oranelephant,hewentbacktotheden,andfallingattheLion'sfeethesaid:"GreatLion,comeforthinthymight.Foodisinsight."

[Illustration]

ThentheLionwouldboundforthandkillwhicheverbeastitwas,sharingthemeatwiththeWolf.

NowthisWolfhadneverhadsuchfinemeattoeat,norsomuch.Soastimewenton,theWolfgrewbiggerandbigger,andstrongerandstronger,untilhewasreallyproudofhisgreatsizeandstrength.

"SeehowbigandstrongIam,"hesaidtohimself.

"WhyamIlivingdayafterdayonfoodgivenmebyanother?Iwillkillformyowneating.I'llkillanelephantformyself."

SotheWolfwenttotheLion,andsaid:"Iwanttoeatanelephantofmyownkilling.Willyouletmelieinyourcornerintheden,whileyouclimbthemountaintolookoutforanelephant?Thenwhenyouseeone,youcometothedenandsay,'GreatWolf,comeforthinthymight.Foodisinsight.'ThenIwillkilltheelephant."

SaidtheLion:"Wolf,onlyLionscankillelephants.TheworldhasneverseenaWolfthatcouldkillanelephant.Giveupthisnotionofyours,andeatwhatIkill."

ButnomatterwhattheLionsaid,theWolfwouldnotgiveway.SoatlasttheLionsaid:"Well,haveyourownway.Liedownintheden,andIwillclimbtothetopofthemountain."

WhenhesawanelephanttheLionwentbacktothemouthofthecave,andsaid:"GreatWolf,comeforthinthymight.Foodisinsight."

ThenfromthedentheWolfnimblyboundedforth,rantowheretheelephantwas,and,howlingthreetimes,hesprangattheelephant.

ButtheWolfmissedhisaim,andfelldownattheelephant'sfeet.TheelephantraisedhisrightfootandkilledtheWolf.

Seeingallthis,theLionsaid,"Youwillnomorecomeforthinyourmight,youfoolhardyWolf."

XVI

THESTOLENPLOW

Atonetimethereweretwotraderswhoweregreatfriends.Oneofthemlivedinasmallvillage,andonelivedinalargetownnear-by.

Onedaythevillagetradertookhisplowtothelargetowntohaveitmended.Thenheleftitwiththetraderwholivedthere.Aftersometimethetowntradersoldtheplow,andkeptthemoney.

Whenthetraderfromthevillagecametogethisplowthetowntradersaid,"Themicehaveeatenyourplow."

"Thatisstrange!Howcouldmiceeatsuchathing?"saidthevillagetrader.

Thatafternoonwhenallthechildrenwentdowntotherivertogoswimming,thevillagetradertookthetowntrader'slittlesontothehouseofafriendsaying,"PleasekeepthislittleboyhereuntilIcomebackforhim."

Byandbythevillagerwentbacktothetowntrader'shouse.

"Whereismyson?Hewentawaywithyou.Whydidn'tyoubringhimback?"askedthetowntrader.

"ItookhimwithmeandlefthimonthebankoftheriverwhileIwentdownintothewater,"saidthevillager."WhileIwasswimmingaboutabigbirdseizedyourson,andflewupintotheairwithhim.Ishouted,butIcouldnotmakethebirdletgo,"hesaid.

"Thatcannotbetrue,"criedthetowntrader."Nobirdcouldcarryoffaboy.Iwillgotothecourt,andyouwillhavetogothere,andtellthejudge."

Thevillagersaid,"Asyouplease";andtheybothwenttothecourt.Thetowntradersaidtothejudge:

"Thisfellowtookmysonwithhimtotheriver,andwhenIaskedwheretheboywas,hesaidthatabirdhadcarriedhimoff."

"Whathaveyoutosay?"saidthejudgetothevillagetrader.

"ItoldthefatherthatItooktheboywithme,andthatabirdhadcarriedhimoff,"saidthevillagetrader.

"Butwhereintheworldaretherebirdsstrongenoughtocarryoffboys?"saidthejudge.

"Ihaveaquestiontoaskyou,"answeredthevillagetrader."Ifbirdscannotcarryoffboys,canmiceeatplows?"

"Whatdoyoumeanbythat?"askedthejudge.

"Ileftmygoodplowwiththisman.WhenIcameforithetoldmethatthemicehadeatenit.Ifmiceeatplows,thenbirdscarryoffboys;butifmicecannotdothis,neithercanbirdscarryoffboys.Thismansaysthemiceatemyplow."

[Illustration]

Thejudgesaidtothetowntrader,"Givebacktheplowtothisman,andhewillgiveyoursonbacktoyou."

Andthetwotraderswentoutofthecourt,andbynight-timeonehadhissonbackagain,andtheotherhadhisplow.

XVII

THELIONINBADCOMPANY

OnedayayoungLioncamesuddenlyuponaWolf.TheWolfwasnotabletogetaway,sohesaidtotheLion:"Please,GreatLion,couldyoutakemetoyourden,andletmelivewithyouandyourmate?Iwillworkforyouallmydays."

ThisyoungLionhadbeentoldbyhisfatherandmothernottomakefriendswithanyWolf.ButwhenthisWolfcalledhim"GreatLion,"hesaidtohimself:"ThisWolfisnotbad.ThisWolfisnotlikeotherWolves."SohetooktheWolftothedenwherehelivedwithhisfatherandmother.

NowthisLion'sfatherwasafineoldLion,andhetoldhissonthathedidnotlikehavingthisWolfthere.ButtheyoungLionthoughtheknewbetterthanhisfather,sotheWolfstayedintheden.

OnedaytheWolfwantedhorse-fleshtoeat,sohesaidtotheyoungLion,"Sir,thereisnothingwehavenoteatenexcepthorse-meat;letustakeahorse."

"Butwherearetherehorses?"askedtheLion.

"Therearesmallponiesontheriverbank,"saidtheWolf.

SotheyoungLionwentwiththeWolftotheriverbankwhentheponieswerebathing.TheLioncaughtasmallpony,andthrowingitonhisback,heranbacktohisden.

[Illustration]

Hisfathersaid:"Myson,thoseponiesbelongtotheking.Kingshavemanyskilfularchers.Lionsdonotlivelongwhoeatponiesbelongingtotheking.Donottakeanotherpony."

ButtheyoungLionlikedthetasteofhorse-meat,andhecaughtandkilledponyafterpony.

SoonthekingheardthataLionwaskillingtheponieswhentheywenttobatheintheriver."Buildatankinsidethetown,"saidtheking."Thelionwillnotgettheponiesthere."ButtheLionkilledtheponiesastheybathedinthetank.

[Illustration]

Thenthekingsaidtheponiesmustbekeptinthestables.ButtheLionwentoverthewall,andkilledtheponiesintheirstables.

Atlastthekingcalledanarcher,whoshotlikelightning."DoyouthinkyoucanshootthisLion?"thekingaskedhim.Thearchersaidthathewassurehecould."Verywell,"saidtheking,"takeyourplaceinthetoweronthewall,andshoothim."Sothearcherwaitedthereinthetower.

ByandbytheLionandtheWolfcametothewall.TheWolfdidnotgooverthewallbutwaitedtoseewhatwouldhappen.TheLionsprangoverthewall.Verysoonhecaughtandkilledapony.Thenthearcherletflyanarrow.

TheLionroared,"Iamshot."

ThentheWolfsaidtohimself:"TheLionhasbeenshot,andsoonhewilldie.Iwillnowgobacktomyoldhomeinthewoods."Andsohedid.

TheLionfelldowndead.

XVIII

THEWISEGOATANDTHEWOLF

Onceuponatime,many,manywildGoatslivedinacaveinthesideofahill.AWolflivedwithhismatenotfarfromthiscave.LikeallWolvestheylikedthetasteofGoat-meat.SotheycaughttheGoats,oneafteranother,andatethemallbutonewhowaswiserthanalltheothers.Tryastheymight,theWolvescouldnotcatchher.

OnedaytheWolfsaidtohismate:"Mydear,letusplayatrickonthatwiseGoat.Iwillliedownherepretendingtobedead.YougoalonetothecavewheretheGoatlives,andlookingverysad,saytoher:'Mydear,doyouseemymatelyingtheredead?Iamsosad;Ihavenofriends.Willyoubegoodtome?Willyoucomeandhelpmeburythebodyofmymate?'TheGoatwillbesorryforyouandIthinkshewillcomeherewithyou.WhenshestandsbesidemeIwillspringuponherandbiteherintheneck.Thenshewillfalloverdead,andweshallhavegoodmeattoeat."

TheWolfthenlaydown,andhismatewenttotheGoat,sayingwhatshehadbeentoldtosay.

ButthewiseGoatsaid:"Mydear,allmyfamilyandfriendshavebeeneatenbyyourmateIamafraidtogoonestepwithyou.IamfarsaferherethanIwouldbethere."

"Donotbeafraid,"saidtheWolf."WhatharmcanadeadWolfdotoyou?"

TheseandmanymorewordstheWolfsaidtotheGoat,sothatatlasttheGoatsaidshewouldgowiththeWolf.

Butastheywentupthehillsidebyside,theGoatsaidtoherself:"Whoknows

whatwillhappen?HowdoIknowtheWolfisdead?"ShesaidtotheWolf,"Ithinkitwillbebetterifyougooninfrontofme."

TheWolfthoughtheheardthemcoming.HewashungryandheraiseduphisheadtoseeifhecouldseethemTheGoatsawhimraisehishead,andsheturnedandranbacktohercave.

"Whydidyouraiseyourheadwhenyouwerepretendingtobedead?"theWolfaskedhermate.Hehadnogoodanswer.

ByandbytheWolveswerebothsoveryhungrythattheWolfaskedhismatetotryoncemoretocatchtheGoat.

ThistimetheWolfwenttotheGoatandsaid:"Myfriend,yourcominghelpedus,forassoonasyoucame,mymatefeltbetter.Heisnowverymuchbetter.Comeandtalktohim.Letusbefriendsandhaveagoodtimetogether."

[Illustration]

ThewiseGoatthought:"ThesewickedWolveswanttoplayanothertrickonme.ButIhavethoughtofatricktoplayonthem."SotheGoatsaid:"Iwillgotoseeyourmate,andIwilltakemyfriendswithme.Yougobackandgetreadyforus.Letusallhaveagoodtimetogether."

ThentheWolfwasafraid,andsheasked:"Whoarethefriendswhowillcomewithyou?Tellmetheirnames."

ThewiseGoatsaid:"IwillbringthetwoHounds,OldGrayandYoungTan,andthatfinebigdogcalledFour-Eyes.AndIwillaskeachofthemtobringhismate."

TheWolfwaitedtohearnomore.Sheturned,andawaysheranbacktohermate.TheGoatneversaweitherofthemagain.

XIX

PRINCEWICKEDANDTHEGRATEFULANIMALS

OnceuponatimeakinghadasonnamedPrinceWicked.Hewasfierceandcruel,andhespoketonobodywithoutabuse,orblows.Likegritintheeye,wasPrinceWickedtoeveryone,bothinthepalaceandoutofit.

Hispeoplesaidtooneanother,"Ifheactsthiswaywhileheisaprince,howwillheactwhenheisking?"

Onedaywhentheprincewasswimmingintheriver,suddenlyagreatstormcameon,anditgrewverydark.

Inthedarknesstheservantswhowerewiththeprinceswamfromhim,sayingtothemselves,"Letusleavehimaloneintheriver,andhemaydrown."

Whentheyreachedtheshore,someoftheservantswhohadnotgoneintotheriversaid,"WhereisPrinceWicked?"

"Isn'thehere?"theyasked."Perhapshecameoutoftheriverinthedarknessandwenthome."Thentheservantsallwentbacktothepalace.

Thekingaskedwherehissonwas,andagaintheservantssaid:"Isn'thehere,OKing?Agreatstormcameonsoonafterwewentintothewater.Itgrewverydark.Whenwecameoutofthewatertheprincewasnotwithus."

Atoncethekinghadthegatesthrownopen.Heandallhismensearchedupanddownthebanksoftheriverforthemissingprince.Butnotraceofhimcouldbefound.

Inthedarknesstheprincehadbeensweptdowntheriver.Hewascryingforfearhewoulddrownwhenhecameacrossalog.Heclimbeduponthelog,and

floatedfartherdowntheriver.

Whenthegreatstormarose,thewaterrushedintothehomesofaRatandaSnakewholivedontheriverbank.TheRatandtheSnakeswamoutintotheriverandfoundthesamelogtheprincehadfound.TheSnakeclimbedupononeendofthelog,andtheRatclimbedupontheother.

Ontheriver'sbankacottonwood-treegrew,andayoungParrotlivedinitsbranches.Thestormpulledupthistree,anditfellintotheriver.TheheavyrainbeatdowntheParrotwhenittriedtofly,anditcouldnotgofar.Lookingdownitsawthelogandflewdowntorest.Nowtherewerefouronthelogfloatingdownstreamtogether.

Justaroundthebendintheriveracertainpoormanhadbuilthimselfahut.Ashewalkedtoandfrolateatnightlisteningtothestorm,heheardtheloudcriesoftheprince.Thepoormansaidtohimself:"Imustgetthatmanoutofthewater.Imustsavehislife."Soheshouted:"Iwillsaveyou!Iwillsaveyou!"asheswamoutintheriver.

[Illustration]

Soonhereachedthelog,andpushingitbyoneend,hesoonpusheditintothebank.Theprincejumpedupanddown,hewassogladtobesafeandsoundondryland.

ThenthepoormansawtheSnake,theRat,andtheParrot,andcarriedthemtohishut.Hebuiltafire,puttingtheanimalsnearitsotheycouldgetdry.Hetookcareofthemfirst,becausetheyweretheweaker,andafterwardshelookedafterthecomfortoftheprince.

Thenthepoormanbroughtfoodandsetitbeforethem,lookingaftertheanimalsfirstandtheprinceafterwards.Thismadetheyoungprinceangry,andhesaidtohimself:"Thispoormandoesnottreatmelikeaprince.Hetakescareoftheanimalsbeforetakingcareofme."Thentheprincebegantohatethepoorman.

[Illustration]

Afewdayslater,whentheprince,andtheSnake,theRat,andtheParrotwererested,andthestormwasallover,theSnakesaidgood-bytothepoormanwiththesewords:

"Father,youhavebeenverykindtome.Iknowwherethereissomeburiedgold.Ifeveryouwantgold,youhaveonlytocometomyhomeandcall,'Snake!'andIwillshowyoutheburiedgold.Itshallallbeyours."

NexttheRatsaidgood-bytothepoorman."Ifeveryouwantmoney,"saidtheRat,"cometomyhome,andcallout,'Rat!'andIwillshowyouwhereagreatdealofmoneyisburiednearmyhome.Itshallallbeyours."

ThentheParrotcame,saying:"Father,silverandgoldhaveInone,butifyoueverwantchoicerice,cometowhereIliveandcall,'Parrot!'andIwillcallallmyfamilyandfriendstogether,andwewillgatherthechoicestriceinthefieldsforyou."

Lastcametheprince.Inhishearthehatedthepoormanwhohadsavedhislife.Buthepretendedtobeasthankfulastheanimalshadbeen,saying,"CometomewhenIamking,andIwillgiveyougreatriches."Sosaying,hewentaway.

Notlongafterthistheprince'sfatherdied,andPrinceWickedwasmadeking.Hewasthenveryrich.

Byandbythepoormansaidtohimself:"EachofthefourwhoselivesIsavedmadeapromisetome.Iwillseeiftheywillkeeptheirpromises."

FirstofallhewenttotheSnake,andstandingnearhishole,thepoormancalledout,"Snake!"

AtoncetheSnakedartedforth,andwitheverymarkofrespecthesaid:"Father,inthisplacethereismuchgold.Digitupandtakeitall."

"Verywell,"saidthepoorman."WhenIneedit,Iwillnotforget."

Aftervisitingforawhile,thepoormansaidgood-bytotheSnake,andwenttowheretheRatlived,callingout,"Rat!"

TheRatcameatonce,anddidastheSnakehaddone,showingthepoormanwherethemoneywasburied.

"WhenIneedit,Iwillcomeforit,"saidthepoorman.

GoingnexttotheParrot,hecalledout,"Parrot!"andthebirdflewdownfrom

thetree-topassoonasheheardthecall.

"OFather,"saidtheParrot,"shallIcalltogetherallmyfamilyandfriendstogatherchoicericeforyou?"

Thepoorman,seeingthattheParrotwaswillingandreadytokeephispromise,said:"Idonotneedricenow.IfeverIdo,Iwillnotforgetyouroffer."

Lastofall,thepoormanwentintothecitywherethekinglived.Theking,seatedonhisgreatwhiteelephant,wasridingthroughthecity.Thekingsawthepoorman,andsaidtohimself:"ThatpoormanhascometoaskmeforthegreatrichesIpromisedtogivehim.ImusthavehisheadcutoffbeforehecantellthepeoplehowhesavedmylifewhenIwastheprince."

Sothekingcalledhisservantstohimandsaid:"Youseethatpoormanoverthere?Seizehimandbindhim,beathimateverycornerofthestreetasyoumarchhimoutofthecity,andthenchopoffhishead."

Theservantshadtoobeytheirking.Sotheyseizedandboundthepoorman.Theybeathimateverycornerofthestreet.Thepoormandidnotcryout,buthesaid,overandoveragain,"Itisbettertosavepoor,weakanimalsthantosaveaprince."

Atlastsomewisemenamongthecrowdsalongthestreetaskedthepoormanwhatprincehehadsaved.Thenthepoormantoldthewholestory,endingwiththewords,"Bysavingyourking,Ibroughtallthispainuponmyself."

Thewisemenandalltherestofthecrowdcriedout:"Thispoormansavedthelifeofourking,andnowthekinghasorderedhimtobekilled.Howcanwebesurethathewillnothaveany,orall,ofuskilled?Letuskillhim."Andintheirangertheyrushedfromeverysideuponthekingasherodeonhiselephant,andwitharrowsandstonestheykilledhimthenandthere.

Thentheymadethepoormanking,andsethimtoruleoverthem.

Thepoormanruledhispeoplewell.OnedayhedecidedoncemoretotrytheSnake,theRat,andtheParrot.So,followedbymanyservants,thekingwenttowheretheSnakelived.

Atthecallof"Snake!"outcametheSnakefromhishole,saying,

"Here,OKing,isyourtreasure;takeit."

"Iwill,"saidtheking."AndIwantyoutocomewithme."

Thenthekinghadhisservantsdigupthegold.

GoingtowheretheRatlived,thekingcalled,"Rat!"OutcametheRat,andbowinglowtotheking,theRatsaid,"Takeallthemoneyburiedhereandhaveyourservantscarryitaway."

"Iwill,"saidtheking,andheaskedtheRattogowithhimandtheSnake.

ThenthekingwenttowheretheParrotlived,andcalled,"Parrot!"TheParrotflewdowntotheking'sfeetandsaid,"OKing,shallIandmyfamilyandmyfriendsgatherchoicericeforyou?"

"Notnow,notuntilriceisneeded,"saidtheking."Willyoucomewithus?"TheParrotwasgladtojointhem.

[Illustration]

Sowiththegold,andthemoney,andwiththeSnake,theRat,andtheParrotaswell,thekingwentbacktothecity.

Thekinghadthegoldandthemoneyhiddenawayinthepalace.HehadatubeofgoldmadefortheSnaketolivein.HehadaglassboxmadefortheRat'shome,andacageofgoldfortheParrot.Eachhadthefoodhelikedbestofalltoeateveryday,andsothesefourlivedhappilyalltheirlives.

XX

BEAUTYANDBROWNIE

TwoDeernamedBeautyandBrownielivedwiththeirfatherandmotherandgreatherdsofDeerinaforest.Onedaytheirfathercalledthemtohimandsaid:"TheDeerintheforestarealwaysindangerwhenthecornisripeninginthefields.Itwillbebestforyoutogoawayforawhile,andyoumusteachtakeyourownherdofDeerwithyou."

"Whatisthedanger,Father?"theyasked.

"WhentheDeergointothefieldstoeatthecorntheygetcaughtinthetrapsthemensetthere,"thefathersaid."ManyDeerarecaughtinthesetrapseveryyear."

"Shallyougoawaywithus?"Browniesaid.

"No,yourmotherandI,andsomeoftheotheroldDeerwillstayhereintheforest,"saidthefather."Therewillbefoodenoughforus,butthereisnotenoughforyouandyourherds.Youmustleadyourherdsupintothehighhillswherethereisplentyoffoodforyou,andstaythereuntilthecropsareallcut.Thenyoucanbringyourherdsbackhere.Butyoumustbecareful.

"Youmusttravelbynight,becausethehunterswillseeyouifyougobyday.Andyoumustnottakeyourherdnearthevillageswherehunterslive."

SoBeautyandBrownieandtheirherdssetout.Beautytraveledatnightanddidnotgonearanyvillages,andatlastbroughthisherdsafelytothehighhills.NotasingleDeerdidBeautylose.

ButBrownieforgotwhathisfatherhadsaid.Earlyeachmorninghestartedoffwithhisherd,goingalongallthroughtheday.Whenhesawavillage,heledhis

herdrightpastit.Againandagainhunterssawtheherd,andtheykilledmany,manyoftheDeerinBrownie'sherd.

Whencropshadbeencut,theDeerstartedbacktotheforest.Beautyledallhisherdback,butstupidBrownietraveledinthedaytime,andagainhetookhisherdpastthevillages.WhenhereachedtheforestonlyafewwereleftofallBrownie'sherd.

XXI

THEELEPHANTANDTHEDOG

OnceuponatimeaDogusedtogointothestablewheretheking'sElephantlived.AtfirsttheDogwenttheretogetthefoodthatwasleftaftertheElephanthadfinishedeating.

DayafterdaytheDogwenttothestable,waitingaroundforbitstoeat.ButbyandbytheElephantandtheDogcametobegreatfriends.ThentheElephantbegantosharehisfoodwiththeDog,andtheyatetogether.WhentheElephantslept,hisfriendtheDogsleptbesidehim.WhentheElephantfeltlikeplaying,hewouldcatchtheDoginhistrunkandswinghimtoandfro.NeithertheDognortheElephantwasquitehappyunlesstheotherwasnearby.

OnedayafarmersawtheDogandsaidtotheElephant-keeper:"IwillbuythatDog.Helooksgood-tempered,andIseethatheissmart.HowmuchdoyouwantfortheDog?"

TheElephant-keeperdidnotcarefortheDog,andhedidwantsomemoneyjustthen.Soheaskedafairprice,andthefannerpaiditandtooktheDogawaytothecountry.

[Illustration]

Theking'sElephantmissedtheDoganddidnotcaretoeatwhenhisfriendwasnottheretosharethefood.WhenthetimecamefortheElephanttobathe,hewouldnotbathe.ThenextdayagaintheElephantwouldnoteat,andhewouldnotbathe.Thethirdday,whentheElephantwouldneithereatnorbathe,thekingwastoldaboutit.

Thekingsentforhischiefservant,saying,"Gotothestableandfindoutwhy

theElephantisactinginthisway."

[Illustration]

ThechiefservantwenttothestableandlookedtheElephantallover.ThenhesaidtotheElephant-keeper:"ThereseemstobenothingthematterwiththisElephant'sbody,butwhydoeshelooksosad?Hashelostaplaymate?"

"Yes,"saidthekeeper,"therewasaDogwhoateandsleptandplayedwiththeElephant.TheDogwentawaythreedaysago."

[Illustration]

"DoyouknowwheretheDogisnow?"askedthechiefservant.

"No,Idonot,"saidthekeeper.

Thenthechiefservantwentbacktothekingandsaid,"TheElephantisnotsick,butheislonelywithouthisfriend,theDog."

"WhereistheDog?"askedtheking.

"Afarmertookhimaway,sotheElephant-keepersays,"saidthechiefservant."Nooneknowswherethefarmerlives."

"Verywell,"saidtheking."Iwillsendwordalloverthecountry,askingthemanwhoboughtthisDogtoturnhimloose.IwillgivehimbackasmuchashepaidfortheDog."

WhenthefarmerwhohadboughttheDogheardthis,heturnedhimloose.TheDogranbackasfastaseverhecouldgototheElephant'sstable.TheElephantwassogladtoseetheDogthathepickedhimupwithhistrunkandputhimonhishead.Thenheputhimdownagain.

WhentheElephant-keeperbroughtfood,theElephantwatchedtheDogasheate,andthentookhisownfood.

AlltherestoftheirlivestheElephantandtheDoglivedtogether.

arefundofthemoney(ifany)youpaidforthiseBookbysendingarequestwithin30daysofreceivingittothepersonyougotitfrom.IfyoureceivedthiseBookonaphysicalmedium(suchasadisk),youmustreturnitwithyourrequest.