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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.