🧚 Opening, part 7

Chô made up his mind to get another such paper bag for himself, so he took some of Musai’s rice-seed, planted it, and waited impatiently for it to grow.1

In due time it ripened, and now he waited for the birds to come and eat the rice.2 To his delight they came, and he lost no time in driving them away, pursuing them to the field where Musai had slept and dreamed.3

He lay down, intending to follow his brother’s example, but found that he could not go to sleep, try as hard as he might.4 He had not been there long before a group of children came to the field and began to play and enjoy themselves.5 After a while they all sat down in a ring, and Chô, who pretended to be asleep, watched carefully out of one half-opened eye to see what they would do next.6

He saw the eldest one come to the stone close to his head and lift it up, but there was no paper bag beneath it.7

The boy was surprised, and said: “I believe this lazy old farmer has taken our bag,” and then he seized Chô’s nose, and gave it a good pull.8

Chô then jumped up, and the boy repeated what he had said.9 The children wouldn’t believe him when he declared that he had touched neither the stone nor the bag, and they shouted and jeered at him.10

But this was not the hardest thing that happened to him; for his nose, which the boy had pulled, began to grow.11 Larger and larger it became, until at last it reached the ground.12

In his anger he struck right and left at the children, and ran from the field, holding his nose from the ground as well as he could.13

He went to his brother’s house and told him what had occurred.14 Then a change came over him, and he felt ashamed of himself.15 He remembered how jealous he had been of Musai, and how he had tried to ruin him by killing his silkworms.16 He was humble, confessed everything, and asked his brother to forgive him.17

Musai spoke kindly to him, and said that this punishment had come to him on account of his envy and jealousy, which bring happiness to no one.18

Then he took the paper bag, and gently rubbed Chô’s nose with it.19 Gradually this became shorter and shorter, until at last it resumed its former shape.20

This was a lesson that Chô was not allowed to forget, because whenever after this he attempted to do anything mean or dishonest, his nose would become sore, and in his terror lest it should grow again, he trained himself to live as a kindly, well-disposed man should do.21

ROSAMOND, THE SWIFT OF FOOT22

A certain king had an only daughter, who, while yet a child, was famed for her marvellous beauty and dignity of bearing.23 Her name was Rosamond, and in addition to her charm of face and figure, she excelled all others at athletic games.24 When only ten years of age so swift a runner was she that her equal at this sport could not be found.25

When she became of marriageable age her father issued a proclamation that whoever could surpass her in speed should marry her, and become heir to the throne; but if he were to fail in the race, his life would be forfeit.26

The penalty for lack of speed in the race was heavy, but many were those who made the attempt, hoping that they might succeed, only to perish as a result.27

Now there was a poor man called Abibas, a wanderer with no place he could call home, who heard of the king’s proclamation, and he said to himself: “I am poor and have but little to lose; if I may overcome this princess and marry her I shall not only enrich myself, but will be able to assist my relatives and what friends I have.”28 So he resolved to accept the challenge.29

But this man was wiser than the others, for he took the three following precautions: First, he framed a curious garland of roses, of which he discovered the princess was very fond.30 Then he procured a piece of the finest silk, knowing that this would attract the attention of most young women.31 And, lastly, he secured a silken bag in which he placed a gilded ball on which was written: “Whosoever plays with me shall never tire of play.”32 With these three things hidden within his blouse he went to the palace gate and declared his desire to enter the race for the hand of the princess.33

It happened that the maiden herself was standing at a window close by and heard Abibas express his wish to run against her.34 Seeing that he was poor, with clothes threadbare and torn, she despised him, and said, “What poor wretch is this with whom I have to contend?”35 However, the king had to stand by the words of his proclamation, so preparations for the race were made.36

Abibas soon saw that unless he should be able to take the attention of the princess away from the race he would be defeated.37 She was in the lead, so he took the garland of roses, which he had hidden, and skillfully threw it in front of her.38

As he had foreseen, the maiden stopped to pick it up and put it on her head.39 The roses were indeed beautiful and gave forth a delightful perfume.40 She was charmed by their fragrance, and paused to admire them.41

Abibas took advantage of this, and increasing his speed, rapidly passed her.42 This caused her to cry out in anger: “Never shall the daughter of a king be wed to such a clown as you.”43 She threw the garland from her and rushed onward like a whirlwind.44

It was not long before she caught up with him, and extending her hand, she struck him upon the shoulder, saying: “Stop, foolish one, do you hope to marry a princess?”45

As she was on the point of passing him Abibas drew forth the piece of silk, and threw it at her feet.46

Rosamond was attracted by the beautiful color and texture of the material, and could not resist the temptation to stop and pick it up.47 Then she tied it round her waist, and by this time her adversary was considerably in advance of her.48

She saw the consequence of her foolishness, and throwing away the piece of silk, flew on at such a pace that she soon overtook Abibas, whom she struck upon the arm, at the same time saying, “Fool, you shall _not_ marry me.”49

They were not far from the goal, and in a few seconds the race would be over.50 The princess had almost won when Abibas threw at her feet the bag containing the gilded ball.51

Rosamond could not help stopping to pick it up, and it was impossible for her not to open the bag to see what was inside.52 This she did, and then she read the inscription, “Who plays with me shall never tire of playing.”53

The wise Abibas came first to the goal, and by the terms of the king’s proclamation he married the princess.54

THE JACKAL, DEER, AND CROW55

In a forest called Champak-Grove[1] lived two friends, a Deer and a Crow.56 The Deer was roaming among the trees one day, when he was observed by a Jackal.57

[Footnote 1: The Champak is a bushy tree bearing a profusion of blossoms which resemble stars.58 It gives forth a delightful perfume.]59