第7章

THETWOFROGS

OnceuponatimeinthecountryofJapantherelivedtwofrogs，oneofwhommadehishomeinaditchnearthetownofOsaka，ontheseacoast，whiletheotherdweltinaclearlittlestreamwhichranthroughthecityofKioto。Atsuchagreatdistanceapart，theyhadneverevenheardofeachother;but，funnilyenough，theideacameintoboththeirheadsatoncethattheyshouldliketoseealittleoftheworld，andthefrogwholivedatKiotowantedtovisitOsaka，andthefrogwholivedatOsakawishedtogotoKioto，wherethegreatMikadohadhispalace。

SoonefinemorninginthespringtheybothsetoutalongtheroadthatledfromKiototoOsaka，onefromoneendandtheotherfromtheother。Thejourneywasmoretiringthantheyexpected，fortheydidnotknowmuchabouttravelling，andhalfwaybetweenthetwotownstherearoseamountainwhichhadtobeclimbed。Ittookthemalongtimeandagreatmanyhopstoreachthetop，buttheretheywereatlast，andwhatwasthesurpriseofeachtoseeanotherfrogbeforehim！Theylookedateachotherforamomentwithoutspeaking，andthenfellintoconversation，explainingthecauseoftheirmeetingsofarfromtheirhomes。Itwasdelightfultofindthattheybothfeltthesamewish——tolearnalittlemoreoftheirnativecountry——andastherewasnosortofhurrytheystretchedthemselvesoutinacool，dampplace，andagreedthattheywouldhaveagoodrestbeforetheypartedtogotheirways。

’Whatapitywearenotbigger，’saidtheOsakafrog;’forthenwecouldseebothtownsfromhere，andtellifitisworthourwhilegoingon。’

’Oh，thatiseasilymanaged，’returnedtheKiotofrog。’Wehaveonlygottostanduponourhindlegs，andholdontoeachother，andthenwecaneachlookatthetownheistravellingto。’

ThisideapleasedtheOsakafrogsomuchthatheatoncejumpedupandputhisfrontpawsontheshouldersofhisfriend，whohadrisenalso。Theretheybothstood，stretchingthemselvesashighastheycould，andholdingeachothertightly，sothattheymightnotfalldown。TheKiotofrogturnedhisnosetowardsOsaka，andtheOsakafrogturnedhisnosetowardsKioto;butthefoolishthingsforgotthatwhentheystooduptheirgreateyeslayinthebacksoftheirheads，andthatthoughtheirnosesmightpointtotheplacestowhichtheywantedtogotheireyesbeheldtheplacesfromwhichtheyhadcome。

’Dearme！’criedtheOsakafrog，’KiotoisexactlylikeOsaka。

Itiscertainlynotworthsuchalongjourney。Ishallgohome！’

’IfIhadhadanyideathatOsakawasonlyacopyofKiotoI

shouldneverhavetravelledallthisway，’exclaimedthefrogfromKioto，andashespokehetookhishandsfromhisfriend’sshoulders，andtheybothfelldownonthegrass。Thentheytookapolitefarewellofeachother，andsetoffforhomeagain，andtotheendoftheirlivestheybelievedthatOsakaandKioto，whichareasdifferenttolookatastwotownscanbe，wereaslikeastwopeas。

[JapanischeMarchen。]

THESTORYOFAGAZELLE

Onceuponatimetherelivedamanwhowastedallhismoney，andgrewsopoorthathisonlyfoodwasafewgrainsofcorn，whichhescratchedlikeafowlfromoutofadust—heap。

Onedayhewasscratchingasusualamongadust—heapinthestreet，hopingtofindsomethingforbreakfast，whenhiseyefelluponasmallsilvercoin，calledaneighth，whichhegreedilysnatchedup。’NowIcanhaveapropermeal，’hethought，andafterdrinkingsomewateratawellhelaydownandsleptsolongthatitwassunrisebeforehewokeagain。Thenhejumpedupandreturnedtothedust—heap。’Forwhoknows，’hesaidtohimself，’whetherImaynothavesomegoodluckagain。’

Ashewaswalkingdowntheroad，hesawamancomingtowardshim，carryingacagemadeoftwigs。’Hi！youfellow！’calledhe，’whathaveyougotinsidethere？’

’Gazelles，’repliedtheman。

’Bringthemhere，forIshouldliketoseethem。’

Ashespoke，somemenwhowerestandingbybegantolaugh，sayingtothemanwiththecage:’Youhadbettertakecarehowyoubargainwithhim，forhehasnothingatallexceptwhathepicksupfromadust—heap，andifhecan’tfeedhimself，willhebeabletofeedagazelle？’

Butthemanwiththecagemadeanswer:’SinceIstartedfrommyhomeinthecountry，fiftypeopleattheleasthavecalledmetoshowthemmygazelles，andwasthereoneamongthemwhocaredtobuy？Itisthecustomforatraderinmerchandisetobesummonedhitherandthither，andwhoknowswhereonemayfindabuyer？’

Andhetookuphiscageandwenttowardsthescratcherofdust—heaps，andthemenwentwithhim。

’Whatdoyouaskforyourgazelles？’saidthebeggar。’Willyouletmehaveoneforaneighth？’

Andthemanwiththecagetookoutagazelle，andhelditout，saying，’Takethisone，master！’

Andthebeggartookitandcarriedittothedust—heap，wherehescratchedcarefullytillhefoundafewgrainsofcorn，whichhedividedwithhisgazelle。Thishedidnightandmorning，tillfivedayswentby。

Then，asheslept，thegazellewokehim，saying，’Master。’

Andthemananswered，’HowisitthatIseeawonder？’

’Whatwonder？’askedthegazelle。

’Why，thatyou，agazelle，shouldbeabletospeak，for，fromthebeginning，myfatherandmotherandallthepeoplethatareintheworldhavenevertoldmeofatalkinggazelle。’

’Nevermindthat，’saidthegazelle，’butlistentowhatIsay！

First，Itookyouformymaster。Second，yougaveformeallyouhadintheworld。Icannotrunawayfromyou，butgiveme，I

prayyou，leavetogoeverymorningandseekfoodformyself，andeveryeveningIwillcomebacktoyou。Whatyoufindinthedust—heapsisnotenoughforbothofus。’

’Go，then，’answeredthemaster;andthegazellewent。

Whenthesunhadset，thegazellecameback，andthepoormanwasveryglad，andtheylaydownandsleptsidebyside。

Inthemorningitsaidtohim，’Iamgoingawaytofeed。’

Andthemanreplied，’Go，myson，’buthefeltverylonelywithouthisgazelle，andsetoutsoonerthanusualforthedust—heapwherehegenerallyfoundmostcorn。Andgladhewaswhentheeveningcame，andhecouldreturnhome。Helayonthegrasschewingtobacco，whenthegazelletrottedup。

’Goodevening，mymaster;howhaveyoufaredallday？IhavebeenrestingintheshadeinaplacewherethereissweetgrasswhenIamhungry，andfreshwaterwhenIamthirsty，andasoftbreezetofanmeintheheat。Itisfarawayintheforest，andnooneknowsofitbutme，andto—morrowIshallgoagain。’

Soforfivedaysthegazellesetoffatdaybreakforthiscoolspot，butonthefifthdayitcametoaplacewherethegrasswasbitter，anditdidnotlikeit，andscratched，hopingtotearawaythebadblades。But，instead，itsawsomethinglyingintheearth，whichturnedouttobeadiamond，verylargeandbright。

’Oh，ho！’saidthegazelletoitself，’perhapsnowIcandosomethingformymasterwhoboughtmewithallthemoneyhehad;

butImustbecarefulortheywillsayhehasstolenit。Ihadbettertakeitmyselftosomegreatrichman，andseewhatitwilldoforme。’

Directlythegazellehadcometothisconclusion，itpickedupthediamondinitsmouth，andwentonandonandonthroughtheforest，butfoundnoplacewherearichmanwaslikelytodwell。

Fortwomoredaysitran，fromdawntodark，tillatlastearlyonemorningitcaughtsightofalargetown，whichgaveitfreshcourage。

Thepeoplewerestandingaboutthestreetsdoingtheirmarketing，whenthegazelleboundedpast，thediamondflashingasitran。

Theycalledafterit，butittooknonoticetillitreachedthepalace，wherethesultanwassitting，enjoyingthecoolair。Andthegazellegallopeduptohim，andlaidthediamondathisfeet。

Thesultanlookedfirstatthediamondandnextatthegazelle;

thenheorderedhisattendantstobringcushionsandacarpet，thatthegazellemightrestitselfafteritslongjourney。Andhelikewiseorderedmilktobebrought，andrice，thatitmighteatanddrinkandberefreshed。

Andwhenthegazellewasrested，thesultansaidtoit:’Givemethenewsyouhavecomewith。’

Andthegazelleanswered:’Iamcomewiththisdiamond，whichisapledgefrommymastertheSultanDarai。Hehasheardyouhaveadaughter，andsendsyouthissmalltoken，andbegsyouwillgivehertohimtowife。’

Andthesultansaid:’Iamcontent。Thewifeishiswife，thefamilyishisfamily，theslaveishisslave。Lethimcometomeempty—handed，Iamcontent。’

Whenthesultanhadended，thegazellerose，andsaid:’Master，farewell;Igobacktoourtown，andineightdays，oritmaybeinelevendays，weshallarriveasyourguests。’

Andthesultananswered:’Soletitbe。’

Allthistimethepoormanfarawayhadbeenmourningandweepingforhisgazelle，whichhethoughthadrunawayfromhimforever。

Andwhenitcameinatthedoorherushedtoembraceitwithsuchjoythathewouldnotallowitachancetospeak。

’Bestill，master，anddon’tcry，’saidthegazelleatlast;’letussleepnow，andinthemorning，whenIgo，followme。’

Withthefirstrayofdawntheygotupandwentintotheforest，andonthefifthday，astheywererestingnearastream，thegazellegaveitsmasterasoundbeating，andthenbadehimstaywherehewastillitreturned。Andthegazelleranoff，andaboutteno’clockitcamenearthesultan’spalace，wheretheroadwasalllinedwithsoldierswhoweretheretodohonourtoSultanDarai。Anddirectlytheycaughtsightofthegazelleinthedistanceoneofthesoldiersranonandsaid，’SultanDaraiiscoming:Ihaveseenthegazelle。’

Thenthesultanroseup，andcalledhiswholecourttofollowhim，andwentouttomeetthegazelle，who，boundinguptohim，gavehimgreeting。Thesultanansweredpolitely，andinquiredwhereithadleftitsmaster，whomithadpromisedtobringback。

’Alas！’repliedthegazelle，’heislyingintheforest，foronourwayhereweweremetbyrobbers，who，afterbeatingandrobbinghim，tookawayallhisclothes。Andheisnowhidingunderabush，lestapassingstrangermightseehim。’

Thesultan，onhearingwhathadhappenedtohisfutureson—in—law，turnedhishorseandrodetothepalace，andbadeagroomtoharnessthebesthorseinthestableandorderawomanslavetobringabagofclothes，suchasamanmightwant，outofthechest;andhechoseoutatunicandaturbanandasashforthewaist，andfetchedhimselfagold—hiltedsword，andadaggerandapairofsandals，andastickofsweet—smellingwood。

’Now，’saidhetothegazelle，’takethesethingswiththesoldierstothesultan，thathemaybeabletocome。’

Andthegazelleanswered:’CanItakethosesoldierstogoandputmymastertoshameasheliestherenaked？Iamenoughbymyself，mylord。’

’Howwillyoubeenough，’askedthesultan，’tomanagethishorseandalltheseclothes？’

’Oh，thatiseasilydone，’repliedthegazelle。’Fastenthehorsetomyneckandtietheclothestothebackofthehorse，andbesuretheyarefixedfirmly，asIshallgofasterthanhedoes。’

Everythingwascarriedoutasthegazellehadordered，andwhenallwasreadyitsaidtothesultan:’Farewell，mylord，Iamgoing。’

’Farewell，gazelle，’answeredthesultan;’whenshallweseeyouagain？’

’To—morrowaboutfive，’repliedthegazelle，and，givingatugtothehorse’srein，theysetoffatagallop。

Thesultanwatchedthemtilltheywereoutofsight:thenhesaidtohisattendants，’Thatgazellecomesfromgentlehands，fromthehouseofasultan，andthatiswhatmakesitsodifferentfromothergazelles。’Andintheeyesofthesultanthegazellebecameapersonofconsequence。

Meanwhilethegazelleranontillitcametotheplacewhereitsmasterwasseated，andhisheartlaughedwhenhesawthegazelle。

Andthegazellesaidtohim，’Getup，mymaster，andbatheinthestream！’andwhenthemanhadbatheditsaidagain，’Nowrubyourselfwellwithearth，andrubyourteethwellwithsandtomakethembrightandshining。’Andwhenthiswasdoneitsaid，’Thesunhasgonedownbehindthehills;itistimeforustogo’:soitwentandbroughttheclothesfromthebackofthehorse，andthemanputthemonandwaswellpleased。

’Master！’saidthegazellewhenthemanwasready，’besurethatwherewearegoingyoukeepsilence，exceptforgivinggreetingsandaskingfornews。Leaveallthetalkingtome。Ihaveprovidedyouwithawife，andhavemadeherpresentsofclothesandturbansandrareandpreciousthings，soitisneedlessforyoutospeak。’

’Verygood，Iwillbesilent，’repliedthemanashemountedthehorse。’Youhavegivenallthis;itisyouwhoarethemaster，andIwhoamtheslave，andIwillobeyyouinallthings。’

’Sotheywenttheirway，andtheywentandwenttillthegazellesawinthedistancethepalaceofthesultan。Thenitsaid，’Master，thatisthehousewearegoingto，andyouarenotapoormananylonger:evenyournameisnew。’

’WhatISmyname，eh，myfather？’askedtheman。

’SultanDarai，’saidthegazelle。

Verysoonsomesoldierscametomeetthem，whileothersranofftotellthesultanoftheirapproach。Andthesultansetoffatonce，andtheviziersandtheemirs，andthejudges，andtherichmenofthecity，allfollowedhim。

Directlythegazellesawthemcoming，itsaidtoitsmaster:

’Yourfather—in—lawiscomingtomeetyou;thatisheinthemiddle，wearingamantleofsky—blue。Getoffyourhorseandgotogreethim。’

AndSultanDaraileaptfromhishorse，andsodidtheothersultan，andtheygavetheirhandstooneanotherandkissedeachother，andwenttogetherintothepalace。

Thenextmorningthegazellewenttotheroomsofthesultan，andsaidtohim:’Mylord，wewantyoutomarryusourwife，forthesoulofSultanDaraiiseager。’

’Thewifeisready，socallthepriest，’answeredhe，andwhentheceremonywasoveracannonwasfiredandmusicwasplayed，andwithinthepalacetherewasfeasting。

’Master，’saidthegazellethefollowingmorning，’Iamsettingoutonajourney，andIshallnotbebackforsevendays，andperhapsnotthen。ButbecarefulnottoleavethehousetillI

come。’

Andthemasteranswered，’Iwillnotleavethehouse。’

Anditwenttothesultanofthecountryandsaidtohim:’Mylord，SultanDaraihassentmetohistowntogetthehouseinorder。Itwilltakemesevendays，andifIamnotbackinsevendayshewillnotleavethepalacetillIreturn。’

’Verygood，’saidthesultan。

Anditwentanditwentthroughtheforestandwilderness，tillitarrivedatatownfulloffinehouses。Attheendofthechiefroadwasagreathouse，beautifulexceedingly，builtofsapphireandturquoiseandmarbles。’That，’thoughtthegazelle，’isthehouseformymaster，andIwillcallupmycourageandgoandlookatthepeoplewhoareinit，ifanypeoplethereare。

ForinthistownhaveIasyetseennopeople。IfIdie，Idie，andifIlive，Ilive。HerecanIthinkofnoplan，soifanythingistokillme，itwillkillme。’

Thenitknockedtwiceatthedoor，andcried’Open，’butnooneanswered。Anditcriedagain，andavoicereplied:

’Whoareyouthatarecrying"Open"？’

Andthegazellesaid，’ItisI，greatmistress，yourgrandchild。’

’Ifyouaremygrandchild，’returnedthevoice，’gobackwhenceyoucame。Don’tcomeanddiehere，andbringmetomydeathaswell。’

’Open，mistress，Ientreat，Ihavesomethingtosaytoyou。’

’Grandchild，’repliedshe，’Ifeartoputyourlifeindanger，andmyowntoo。’

’Oh，mistress，mylifewillnotbelost，noryourseither;open，Iprayyou。’Sosheopenedthedoor。

’Whatisthenewswhereyoucomefrom，mygrandson，’askedshe。

’Greatlady，whereIcomefromitiswell，andwithyouitiswell。’

’Ah，myson，hereitisnotwellatall。Ifyouseekawaytodie，orifyouhavenotyetseendeath，thenisto—daythedayforyoutoknowwhatdyingis。’

’IfIamtoknowit，Ishallknowit，’repliedthegazelle;’buttellme，whoisthelordofthishouse？’

Andshesaid:’Ah，father！inthishouseismuchwealth，andmuchpeople，andmuchfood，andmanyhorses。Andthelordofitallisanexceedinggreatandwonderfulsnake。’

’Oh！’criedthegazellewhenheheardthis;’tellmehowIcangetatthesnaketokillhim？’

’Myson，’returnedtheoldwoman，’donotsaywordslikethese;

youriskbothourlives。Hehasputmehereallbymyself，andI

havetocookhisfood。Whenthegreatsnakeiscomingtherespringsupawind，andblowsthedustabout，andthisgoesontillthegreatsnakeglidesintothecourtyardandcallsforhisdinner，whichmustalwaysbereadyforhiminthosebigpots。Heeatstillhehashadenough，andthendrinksawholetankfulofwater。Afterthathegoesaway。Everyseconddayhecomes，whenthesunisoverthehouse。Andhehassevenheads。Howthencanyoubeamatchforhim，myson？’

’Mindyourownbusiness，mother，’answeredthegazelle，’anddon’tmindotherpeople’s！Hasthissnakeasword？’

’Hehasasword，andasharponetoo。Itcutslikeadashoflightning。’

’Giveittome，mother！’saidthegazelle，andsheunhookedtheswordfromthewall，asshewasbidden。’Youmustbequick，’shesaid，’forhemaybehereatanymoment。Hark！isnotthatthewindrising？Hehascome！’

Theyweresilent，buttheoldwomanpeepedfrombehindacurtain，andsawthesnakebusyatthepotswhichshehadplacedreadyforhiminthecourtyard。Andafterhehaddoneeatinganddrinkinghecametothedoor:

’Youoldbody！’hecried;’whatsmellisthatIsmellinsidethatisnotthesmellofeveryday？’

’Oh，master！’answeredshe，’Iamalone，asIalwaysam！Butto—day，aftermanydays，Ihavesprinkledfreshscentalloverme，anditisthatwhichyousmell。Whatelsecoulditbe，master？’

Allthistimethegazellehadbeenstandingclosetothedoor，holdingtheswordinoneofitsfrontpaws。Andasthesnakeputoneofhisheadsthroughtheholethathehadmadesoastogetinandoutcomfortably，itcutitofsocleanthatthesnakereallydidnotfeelit。Thesecondblowwasnotquitesostraight，forthesnakesaidtohimself，’Whoisthatwhoistryingtoscratchme？’andstretchedouthisthirdheadtosee;

butnosoonerwastheneckthroughtheholethantheheadwentrollingtojointherest。

Whensixofhisheadsweregonethesnakelashedhistailwithsuchfurythatthegazelleandtheoldwomancouldnotseeeachotherforthedusthemade。Andthegazellesaidtohim，’Youhaveclimbedallsortsoftrees，butthisyoucan’tclimb，’andastheseventhheadcamedartingthroughitwentrollingtojointherest。

Thentheswordfellrattlingontheground，forthegazellehadfainted。

Theoldwomanshriekedwithdelightwhenshesawherenemywasdead，andrantobringwatertothegazelle，andfannedit，andputitwherethewindcouldblowonit，tillitgrewbetterandgaveasneeze。Andtheheartoftheoldwomanwasglad，andshegaveitmorewater，tillby—and—bythegazellegotup。

’Showmethishouse，’itsaid，’frombeginningtoend，fromtoptobottom，frominsidetoout。’

Soshearoseandshowedthegazelleroomsfullofgoldandpreciousthings，andotherroomsfullofslaves。’Theyareallyours，goodsandslaves，’saidshe。

Butthegazelleanswered，’YoumustkeepthemsafetillIcallmymaster。’

Fortwodaysitlayandrestedinthehouse，andfedonmilkandrice，andonthethirddayitbadetheoldwomanfarewellandstartedbacktoitsmaster。

Andwhenheheardthatthegazellewasatthedoorhefeltlikeamanwhohasfoundthetimewhenallprayersaregranted，andheroseandkissedit，saying:’Myfather，youhavebeenalongtime;youhaveleftsorrowwithme。Icannoteat，Icannotdrink，Icannotlaugh;myheartfeltnosmileatanything，becauseofthinkingofyou。’

Andthegazelleanswered:’Iamwell，andwhereIcomefromitiswell，andIwishthatafterfourdaysyouwouldtakeyourwifeandgohome。’

Andhesaid:’Itisforyoutospeak。Whereyougo，Iwillfollow。’

’ThenIshallgotoyourfather—in—lawandtellhimthisnews。’

’Go，myson。’

Sothegazellewenttothefather—in—lawandsaid:’Iamsentbymymastertocomeandtellyouthatafterfourdayshewillgoawaywithhiswifetohisownhome。’

’Musthereallygosoquickly？Wehavenotyetsatmuchtogether，IandSultanDarai，norhaveweyettalkedmuchtogether，norhaveweyetriddenouttogether，norhaveweeatentogether;yetitisfourteendayssincehecame。’

Butthegazellereplied:’Mylord，youcannothelpit，forhewishestogohome，andnothingwillstophim。’

’Verygood，’saidthesultan，andhecalledallthepeoplewhowereinthetown，andcommandedthatthedayhisdaughterleftthepalaceladiesandguardsweretoattendheronherway。

AndattheendoffourdaysagreatcompanyofladiesandslavesandhorseswentforthtoescortthewifeofSultanDaraitohernewhome。Theyrodeallday，andwhenthesunsankbehindthehillstheyrested，andateofthefoodthegazellegavethem，andlaydowntosleep。Andtheyjourneyedonformanydays，andtheyall，noblesandslaves，lovedthegazellewithagreatlove——

morethantheylovedtheSultanDarai。

Atlastonedaysignsofhousesappeared，far，faroff。Andthosewhosawcriedout，’Gazelle！’

Anditanswered，’Ah，mymistresses，thatisthehouseofSultanDarai。’

Atthisnewsthewomenrejoicedmuch，andtheslavesrejoicedmuch，andinthespaceoftwohourstheycametothegates，andthegazellebadethemallstaybehind，anditwentontothehousewithSultanDarai。

Whentheoldwomansawthemcomingthroughthecourtyardshejumpedandshoutedforjoy，andasthegazelledrewnearsheseizeditinherarms，andkissedit。Thegazelledidnotlikethis，andsaidtoher:’Oldwoman，leavemealone;theonetobecarriedismymaster，andtheonetobekissedismymaster。’

Andsheanswered，’Forgiveme，myson。Ididnotknowthiswasourmaster，’andshethrewopenallthedoorssothatthemastermightseeeverythingthattheroomsandstorehousescontained。

SultanDarailookedabouthim，andatlengthhesaid:

’Unfastenthosehorsesthataretiedup，andletloosethosepeoplethatarebound。Andletsomesweep，andsomespreadthebeds，andsomecook，andsomedrawwater，andsomecomeoutandreceivethemistress。’

Andwhenthesultanaandherladiesandherslavesenteredthehouse，andsawtherichstuffsitwashungwith，andthebeautifulricethatwaspreparedforthemtoeat，theycried:

’Ah，yougazelle，wehaveseengreathouses，wehaveseenpeople，wehaveheardofthings。Butthishouse，andyou，suchasyouare，wehaveneverseenorheardof。’

Afterafewdays，theladiessaidtheywishedtogohomeagain。

Thegazellebeggedthemhardtostay，butfindingtheywouldnot，itbroughtmanygifts，andgavesometotheladiesandsometotheirslaves。Andtheyallthoughtthegazellegreaterathousandtimesthanitsmaster，SultanDarai。

Thegazelleanditsmasterremainedinthehousemanyweeks，andonedayitsaidtotheoldwoman，’Icamewithmymastertothisplace，andIhavedonemanythingsformymaster，goodthings，andtillto—dayhehasneveraskedme:"Well，mygazelle，howdidyougetthishouse？Whoistheownerofit？Andthistown，weretherenopeopleinit？"AllgoodthingsIhavedoneforthemaster，andhehasnotonedaydonemeanygoodthing。Butpeoplesay，"Ifyouwanttodoanyonegood，don’tdohimgoodonly，dohimevilalso，andtherewillbepeacebetweenyou。"

So，mother，Ihavedone:IwanttoseethefavoursIhavedonetomymaster，thathemaydomethelike。’

’Good，’repliedtheoldwoman，andtheywenttobed。

Inthemorning，whenlightcame，thegazellewassickinitsstomachandfeverish，anditslegsached。Anditsaid’Mother！’

Andsheanswered，’Here，myson？’

Anditsaid，’Goandtellmymasterupstairsthegazelleisveryill。’

’Verygood，myson;andifheshouldaskmewhatisthematter，whatamItosay？’

’Tellhimallmybodyachesbadly;Ihavenosinglepartwithoutpain。’

Theoldwomanwentupstairs，andshefoundthemistressandmastersittingonacouchofmarblespreadwithsoftcushions，andtheyaskedher，’Well，oldwoman，whatdoyouwant？’

’Totellthemasterthegazelleisill，’saidshe。

’Whatisthematter？’askedthewife。

’Allitsbodypains;thereisnopartwithoutpain。’

’Well，whatcanIdo？Makesomegruelofredmillet，andgivetoit。’

Buthiswifestaredandsaid:’Oh，master，doyoutellhertomakethegazellegrueloutofredmillet，whichahorsewouldnoteat？Eh，master，thatisnotwell。’

Butheanswered，’Oh，youaremad！Riceisonlykeptforpeople。’

’Eh，master，thisisnotlikeagazelle。Itistheappleofyoureye。Ifsandgotintothat，itwouldtroubleyou。’

’Mywife，yourtongueislong，’andhelefttheroom。

Theoldwomansawshehadspokenvainly，andwentbackweepingtothegazelle。Andwhenthegazellesawheritsaid，’Mother，whatisit，andwhydoyoucry？Ifitbegood，givemetheanswer;

andifitbebad，givemetheanswer。’

Butstilltheoldwomanwouldnotspeak，andthegazelleprayedhertoletitknowthewordsofthemaster。Atlastshesaid:

’Iwentupstairsandfoundthemistressandthemastersittingonacouch，andheaskedmewhatIwanted，andItoldhimthatyou，hisslave，wereill。Andhiswifeaskedwhatwasthematter，andItoldherthattherewasnotapartofyourbodywithoutpain。

Andthemastertoldmetotakesomeredmilletandmakeyougruel，butthemistresssaid，’Eh，master，thegazelleistheappleofyoureye;youhavenochild，thisgazelleislikeyourchild;sothisgazelleisnotonetobedoneevilto。Thisisagazelleinform，butnotagazelleinheart;heisinallthingsbetterthanagentleman，behewhohemay。’

Andheansweredher，’Sillychatterer，yourwordsaremany。I

knowitsprice;Iboughtitforaneighth。Whatlosswillitbetome？’

Thegazellekeptsilenceforafewmoments。Thenitsaid，’Theelderssaid，"Onethatdoesgoodlikeamother，"andIhavedonehimgood，andIhavegotthisthattheelderssaid。Butgoupagaintothemaster，andtellhimthegazelleisveryill，andithasnotdrunkthegruelofredmillet。’