🧚 Opening, part 18 · page 2

Having spoken these words, the Sultan of the Genii vanished, and Zeyn, enchanted with the young lady, the same day caused her to be proclaimed Queen of Bussorah, over which they reigned in mutual happiness to an advanced age.67

THE DYED JACKAL68

Once upon a time a Jackal, who was prowling around the suburbs of a town, fell into an indigo-tank.69 He found that he was unable to get out of this, and so lay down as though he were dead.70

In due time the dyer came to the tank, and finding what he supposed to be a dead Jackal, took him out and threw him into the jungle.71

When the dyer was far enough away the Jackal scrambled to his feet, and looking himself over found his color changed to a beautiful blue.72

“Now,” he said to himself, “I am certainly much prettier than I was before; why should not this accident prove to be a good thing for me.73 When the other jackals see my wonderful color, it should be easy for me to persuade them that I should be their king.”74

So he got the jackals of the jungle together, and said to them: “Good people, the Goddess of the Wood has anointed me king.75 Behold the hue of royalty!76 And after this do no business without my permission.”77

The jackals were overcome by the distinguished color, and promised obedience, and so began the reign of the dyed Jackal.78 But soon he was not content just to rule over his own kind, whom he began to despise, so he declared himself king of the lions and tigers, from among whom he selected his special attendants, keeping his own kindred at a distance, as though he were ashamed of them.79

Of course, this made the jackals very indignant, and some of them took counsel together to see what could be done about it.80

One of the wise old beasts addressed them, saying: “Leave this impostor to me.81 The lions and tigers and the rest think he is a king because he is colored blue, but we must show them his true colors.82 Now, do as I tell you.83 When night comes, all of you gather around him, and set up a great yell together.84 He is sure to join in as he used to do, for——85

“‘Hard it is to conquer nature: if a dog were made a king, Mid the coronation trumpets, he would gnaw his sandal-string.’86

“And when he yells, the lions and tigers will know him to be a jackal, and fall upon him.”87

They did just what the wise old beast had suggested, and the thing befell exactly as he said it would.88 And so ended the reign of the dyed jackal.89

WHY DOGS WAG THEIR TAILS90

A rich man in a certain town once owned a dog and a cat, both of which were very useful to him.91 The dog had served his master for many years and had become so old that he had lost his teeth and was unable to fight any more, but he was a good guide and companion to the cat, who was strong and cunning.92

The master had a daughter who was attending school at a convent some distance from home, and very often he sent the dog and the cat with presents to the girl.93

One day he called the faithful animals and bade them carry a magic ring to his daughter.94

“You are strong and brave,” he said to the cat.95 “You may carry the ring, but you must be careful not to drop it.”96

And to the dog he said: “You must accompany the cat to guide her and keep her from harm.”97

They promised to do their best and started out.98 All went well until they came to a river.99 As there was neither bridge nor boat, there was no way to cross but to swim.100

“Let me take the magic ring,” said the dog as they were about to plunge into the water.101

“Oh, no,” replied the cat, “the master gave it to me to carry.”102

“But you cannot swim well,” argued the dog.103 “I am strong and can take good care of it.”104

But the cat refused to give up the ring until finally the dog threatened to kill her, and then she reluctantly gave it to him.105

The river was wide and the water so swift that they grew very tired, and just before they reached the opposite bank the dog dropped the ring.106 They searched carefully, but could not find it anywhere, and after awhile they turned back to tell their master of the sad loss.107 Just before reaching the house, however, the dog was so overcome with fear that he turned and ran away and never was seen again.108

The cat went on alone, and when the master saw her coming he called out to know why she had returned so soon and what had become of her companion.109 The poor cat was frightened, but as well as she could she explained how the ring had been lost and how the dog had run away.110

On hearing her story the master was very angry, and commanded that all his people should search for the dog, and that it should be punished by having its tail cut off.111

He also ordered that all dogs in the world should join in the search, and ever since when one dog meets another, he says: “Are you the old dog that lost the magic ring?112 If so, your tail must be cut off.”113 Then immediately each shows his teeth and wags his tail to prove that he is not the guilty one.114

Since then, too, cats have been afraid of water and will not swim across a river if they can avoid it.115

PRINCE VARNA116

There was once a Rajah whose wife died, leaving to her husband a little son, who was a great comfort to his grief-stricken father.117 In due time the young prince was christened and his godmother was a princess who was known far and wide for her wisdom and kindness, and everyone called her “the good queen.”118 She named the little prince Varna, and loved him as though he were her own son.119

When Varna was three years old the Rajah married a princess of great beauty, but who was hard-hearted and cruel.120 In the course of time a second prince was born, and the queen was filled with jealous rage at the thought that Varna, and not her own son, was heir to the throne.121 But she was very careful not to let the Rajah discover her real feelings.122

In the mountain there lived an old witch whom the queen knew well, and she sent to her a trusty servant, asking that she find some way of getting rid of her stepson, who stood in the way of her own son.123 But the witch replied that she could work no harm against the young prince, because he was under the protection of his godmother, whose power was greater than her own.124

The “good queen” lived in a country which was far away, but was able to keep herself well-informed of all that went on, and she knew what the wicked queen desired.125 She sent to the young prince a ring of jade with instructions that he must always wear it, as it would protect him from all harm while in his father’s country.126 But as a talisman this ring was useless elsewhere.127 This the wicked queen knew, so she made every effort to entice him away from his father’s dominions.128