🧚 Opening, part 9

Now some of the fishes overheard what the Crane said to the Crab, and they at once called a general meeting.1 One of them said: “In this case the Crane’s interests are the same as ours, because, while we furnish the food which keeps him alive there are many of us left, but when the fishermen capture us we shall die.2 Let us therefore confer with the Crane.”3

This they decided to do, and so they went to him in a body.4

“Good Crane,” they said, “what course is there for safety?”5

“The only thing to do is to go elsewhere,” said the Crane.6 “This can easily be done, for if you wish I will carry you one by one to another pool.”7

This the trembling fishes begged him to do, that is, all but one of them, who said:8

“It is most unusual that a crane should take any thought for fishes, and I think that you mean to eat us, one by one.”9

“That I do not,” said the Crane.10 “If you do not believe what I say, send one of your number with me, and he shall come back and tell you that I am to be trusted.”11

They thought this was all right, and so selected their sharpest fish, one whom they considered could not be outwitted, and handed him over to the Crane.12

The Crane took him in his bill and let him go in the other pool, and he showed the fish all over it.13 Then he carried him back to the others who were entirely satisfied, and said they were ready to go with him.14

Then the Crane took them, one after another, and having eaten them, returned to report that he had safely deposited each in the pond.15

At last only the Crab was left, and he asked to be taken, too.16 Now the Crane coveted the tender flesh of the Crab, and perhaps the latter saw a greedy look in his eyes.17 At any rate, when the Crane went to take hold of him with his beak, he said: “You cannot carry me like that, for I should certainly fall.”18

The Crane told him not to fear, that he would be perfectly safe.19 But the Crab thought to himself: “If he once got hold of a fish, I doubt very much if he would really let it go into the pond.20 He shall carry me, but in such a way that I shall be safe.”21 So he said:22

“Friend Crane, you cannot hold me tight enough in your bill, so I will hold on to you with my claws, and you can carry me that way.”23

The Crane thought that would be all right, and so the other held on to his neck with his claws, and off they went.24

They soon reached the spot where the Crane had eaten the fish, and the Crab saw that it was covered with fishbones.25

“This is not the pond,” said the Crab; “please take me to it at once.”26

“You will never see another pond,” replied the Crane, who thought that it would be the easiest thing in the world to shake the Crab from his neck.27 “I am now going to eat you, just as I have eaten every one of the fish, whose bones you can see if you look.”28

“Do you think I am as stupid as those fish?” asked the Crab.29 Then he gave the Crane’s neck such a squeeze with his claws that the Crane almost died.30

“That is just to remind you of what will happen if you don’t take me to the pond at once,” said the Crab.31

The Crane now trembled with fear, and flew at once to the edge of the pond, and there, before entering the water the Crab tightened his grip so that the Crane’s neck was cut clear through.32

THE LION AND THE HARE33

In a large forest there lived a Lion who was very fierce.34 Such terror did he inspire among the other animals of the jungle, and so many of them did he kill for his daily food, that they held a public meeting to see what could be done about it.35

After much parleying they drew up a respectful petition to the Lion in these words:36

“Your Majesty, why do you thus create havoc among us?37 If it please you, we will ourselves furnish you daily with a beast for your Majesty’s meal.”38

This petition they duly presented to the Lion, who said: “If this arrangement is more agreeable to you, I will be satisfied.”39 So, from that time a beast was allotted to him each day, they casting lots among themselves to see who should be selected.40

Thus it became the turn of a wily old Hare to supply the royal table, and as he walked slowly along to keep his appointment he said to himself, “If I have to die I will take my time, and will go to my death as leisurely as possible.”41

Now that day the Lion was very hungry, and he became very angry at being kept waiting for his meal, so when he saw the Hare walking along as though he had all day to spare he roared at him, “How dare you so delay your coming?”42

“Sire,” replied the Hare, “It is not my fault that I am late.43 On the way here I was detained by another lion, who made me promise to return to him when I shall have told your Majesty that he awaits you.”44

Of course, such insolence on the part of another lion made this one more angry than before, as the old Hare had intended it should, and he exclaimed in a rage, “Show me instantly where this impertinent villain of a lion lives.”45

Then the Hare led the way until he came to a deep well, when he stopped and said, “Now, my Lord, come here and see him.”46

So the Lion approached, and saw his own reflection in the water.47 Thinking that he was looking at the other lion, he flung himself furiously upon his own image, and so was drowned.48 You may be sure the old Hare lost no time in spreading the news of their enemy’s end to his friends of the jungle.49

THE STORY OF CALIPH STORK50

I.51

Caliph Chasid, of Bagdad, was resting comfortably on his divan one fine afternoon.52 He was smoking a long pipe, and from time to time he sipped a little coffee which a slave handed to him, and after each sip he stroked his long beard with an air of enjoyment.53 In short, anyone could see that the Caliph was in an excellent humor.54 This was, in fact, the best time of day in which to approach him, for just now he was pretty sure to be both affable and in good spirits, and for this reason the Grand Vizier Mansor always chose this hour in which to pay his daily visit.55

He arrived as usual this afternoon, but, contrary to his usual custom, with an anxious face.56 The Caliph withdrew his pipe for a moment from his lips and asked, “Why do you look so anxious, Grand Vizier?”57

The Grand Vizier crossed his arms on his breast and bent low before his master as he answered:58

“Oh, my lord!59 Whether my countenance be anxious or not I know not, but down below in the court of the palace is a pedler with such beautiful things that I cannot help feeling annoyed at having so little money to spare.”60

The Caliph, who had wished for some time past to give his Grand Vizier a present, ordered his black slave to bring the pedler before him at once.61 The slave soon returned, followed by the pedler, a short, stout man with a swarthy face, and dressed in very ragged clothes.62 He carried a box containing all manner of wares—strings of pearls, rings, richly mounted pistols, goblets, and combs.63 The Caliph and his Vizier inspected everything, and the Caliph chose some handsome pistols for himself and Mansor, and a jeweled comb for the Vizier’s wife.64 Just as the pedler was about to close his box, the Caliph noticed a small drawer, and asked if there was anything else in it for sale.65 The pedler opened the drawer and showed them a box containing a black powder, and a scroll written in strange characters, which neither the Caliph nor Mansor could read.66