🧚 Opening, part 4 · page 2

He travelled many weary miles through a very desolate country, and at last came to a thick jungle.53 Being very tired, he sat down under a tree and fell asleep.54 Suddenly he was awakened by a rustling sound, and looking about him, saw a large serpent making its way to an eagle’s nest which was in the tree beneath which he was, and in the nest were two young eagles.55 He at once drew his sword and killed the serpent.56 At this moment a rushing sound was heard in the air, and the two old eagles, who had been hunting food for their little ones, returned.57 They saw the dead serpent and the young Prince standing over it, and the mother eagle said to him: “For many years our young ones have been devoured by that cruel serpent, and you have now saved the lives of our children; whenever you may need our help, send to us, and as for these little eagles, take them, and let them be your servants.”58

Then was the Prince glad.59 He told them of the spot he wished to reach, and so the two eaglets crossed their wings, on which he mounted, and they carried him far away over the thick jungles until he reached the circle of palm trees, in the midst of which stood the six jugs full of water.60 It was the hottest part of the day, and all round the trees the genii were fast asleep.61 There were many thousands of them, so that it would have been impossible for anyone to walk through their ranks, but they had not thought that an attempt to reach the spot could be made from above.62 Down swooped the strong-winged eaglets, and down jumped the Prince.63 In the twinkling of an eye he had overthrown the six jugs full of water, seized the little parrot, which he rolled up in his cloak, and mounted again into the air.64 Of course, this awoke the genii, who filled the air with their howls and screeches when they found the treasure gone.65

Away flew the eaglets, and when they had reached their home in the tree the Prince said to the old eagles, “Here are your little ones, who have done me good service.66 If I ever need your help again I will not fail to ask you for it.”67 He then continued his journey on foot until he arrived at the Magician’s palace, at the door of which he sat down and began playing with the parrot.68

Punchkin saw him, and came to him at once, and said: “My boy, where did you get that parrot?69 I pray you, give it to me.”70

The Prince answered, “This parrot is a great pet of mine, and I cannot give it away.”71

Then the Magician asked him to sell it to him if he would not give it, but this the Prince said he would not do.72

Then was Punchkin filled with fear, and said he would give him anything he might ask for it.73

The Prince answered, “Liberate at once the Rajah’s seven sons whom you turned into rocks and stones.”74

“I will do it at once,” said the Magician.75 And with a wave of his wand Balna’s husband and his brothers resumed their natural shapes.76

“Now give me the parrot,” implored Punchkin.77

“Just wait a minute,” said the Prince.78 “You will first restore to life all whom you have thus imprisoned.”79

This the Magician did immediately, and then, in a trembling voice, cried, “Give me my parrot.”80

And now the whole garden was alive with people.81 Where there had been rocks and stones now stood Rajahs, Punts, Sirdars, men on horseback, pages and servants.82

“Give me my parrot!” cried Punchkin.83 But the only reply the boy made was to break off one of its wings, and as he did so the Magician’s right arm fell off.84

With his left arm outstretched Punchkin cried, “Give me my parrot!”85 Off came the second wing, and the Magician’s left arm fell to the ground.86

On his knees he begged, “Give me my parrot!”87 Then the Prince pulled off the right leg, and the Magician’s right leg fell off.88 The parrot’s left leg came off, and at once Punchkin’s left leg fell down.89

And now there remained only the Magician’s body and head, but still he cried, “Give me my parrot!”90

“Take your parrot, then,” said the boy, and with this he wrung the bird’s neck and threw it at what was left of the Magician.91 As the parrot’s neck was wrung, Punchkin’s head twisted around, and with a groan, he fell dead.92

Then they released Balna from the tower, and all of them returned to their own palace; and it can be imagined with what joy the seven husbands and seven wives and their nephew met again.93

PRINCESS MOONLIGHT94

Many years ago there lived a poor old bamboo-cutter, whose great sorrow it was that Heaven had sent no child to cheer his wife and himself in their old age.95 Every morning he went into the woods in search of the lithe bamboo, which he would split lengthwise or cut into joints, and these he would take home with him, and his wife would turn them into useful or ornamental articles for the household, and sell them.96

While working at his task one day in a small grove of the slender trees that he had discovered, he was surprised by a soft, bright light which suddenly flooded the spot in which he was, and he was astonished to see that all this brilliance came from one bamboo.97

Marvelling at the beautiful sight, he went to this bamboo stem, in the hollow of which was a tiny, but exceedingly beautiful, little girl, about three inches in height.98

“As I have found you here where lies my daily work,” said the old man, “I must look upon you as a child sent from Heaven.”99 So, very carefully he took the exquisite little creature home to his wife, and both of them were filled with joy because there was now a child, come to them in a most marvelous manner, upon whom they could devote the love of their old age.100

And with the child came good fortune, for from this time the old man found gold and precious stones in the notches of the bamboos when he cut them up, so that before long he was rich enough to retire, and he built a fine house in which they all lived very happily.101

The bamboo child was no ordinary child, for in a very few months she was quite grown-up, and so beautiful was she that the old people treated her like a princess, and allowed no one to see her or wait upon her but themselves.102 Her very presence made them happy, and no trace of sorrow could exist where she was.103 And wherever she might be a beautiful, soft light made the place radiant.104 And so they called her Princess Moonlight, because they thought that only a daughter of the Moon God could give forth such a soft, bright light.105