第14章

Suddenly，whentheyhadalmostreachedthetop，aslavewhowasoninfrontcried:

’Master！Master！’Andtheboypushedontowheretheslavestood，andtheslavesaid:

’Castyoureyesdowntothefootofthemountain。’Andtheboylooked，andhissoultoldhimitwastheNunda。

Andhecreptdownwithhisspearinhishand，andthenhestoppedandgazedbelowhim。

’ThisMUSTbetherealNunda，’thoughthe。’Mymothertoldmeitsearsweresmall，andthisone’saresmall。Shetoldmeitwasbroadandnotlong，andthisisbroadandnotlong。Shetoldmeithadspotslikeacivet—cat，andthishasspotslikeacivet—cat。’

ThenhelefttheNundalyingasleepatthefootofthemountain，andwentbacktohisslaves。

’Wewillfeastto—day，’hesaid;’makecakesofbatter，andbringwater，’andtheyateanddrank。Andwhentheyhadfinishedhebadethemhidetherestofthefoodinthethicket，thatiftheyslewtheNundatheymightreturnandeatandsleepbeforegoingbacktothetown。Andtheslavesdidashebadethem。

Itwasnowafternoon，andtheladsaid:’ItistimewewentaftertheNunda。’AndtheywenttilltheyreachedthebottomandcametoagreatforestwhichlaybetweenthemandtheNunda。

Heretheladstopped，andorderedeveryslavethatworetwoclothstocastoneawayandtuckuptheotherbetweenhislegs。

’For，’saidhe，’thewoodisnotalittleone。Perhapswemaybecaughtbythethorns，orperhapswemayhavetorunbeforetheNunda，andtheclothmightbindourlegs，andcauseustofallbeforeit。’

Andtheyanswered，’Good，master，’anddidashebadethem。ThentheycrawledontheirhandsandkneestowheretheNundalayasleep。

Noiselesslytheycreptalongtilltheywerequiteclosetoit;

then，atasignfromtheboy，theythrewtheirspears。TheNundadidnotstir:thespearshaddonetheirwork，butagreatfearseizedthemall，andtheyranawayandclimbedthemountain。

Thesunwassettingwhentheyreachedthetop，andgladtheyweretotakeoutthefruitandthecakesandthewaterwhichtheyhadhiddenaway，andsitdownandrestthemselves。Andaftertheyhadeatenandwerefilled，theylaydownandslepttillmorning。

Whenthedawnbroketheyroseupandcookedmorerice，anddrankmorewater。AfterthattheywalkedallroundthebackofthemountaintotheplacewheretheyhadlefttheNunda，andtheysawitstretchedoutwheretheyhadfoundit，stiffanddead。Andtheytookitupandcarrieditbacktothetown，singingastheywent，’HehaskilledtheNunda，theeaterofpeople。’

Andwhenhisfatherheardthenews，andthathissonwascome，andwasbringingtheNundawithhim，hefeltthatthemandidnotdwellontheearthwhosejoywasgreaterthanhis。Andthepeopleboweddowntotheboyandgavehimpresents，andlovedhim，becausehehaddeliveredthemfromthebondageoffear，andhadslaintheNunda。

[AdaptedfromSwahiliTales。]

THESTORYOFHASSEBU

Onceuponatimetherelivedapoorwomanwhohadonlyonechild，andhewasalittleboycalledHassebu。Whenheceasedtobeababy，andhismotherthoughtitwastimeforhimtolearntoread，shesenthimtoschool。And，afterhehaddonewithschool，hewasputintoashoptolearnhowtomakeclothes，anddidnotlearn;andhewasputtodosilversmith’swork，anddidnotlearn;andwhatsoeverhewastaught，hedidnotlearnit。

Hismotherneverwishedhimtodoanythinghedidnotlike，soshesaid:’Well，stayathome，myson。’Andhestayedathome，eatingandsleeping。

Onedaytheboysaidtohismother:’Whatwasmyfather’sbusiness？’

’Hewasaverylearneddoctor，’answeredshe。

’Where，then，arehisbooks？’askedHassebu。

’Manydayshavepassed，andIhavethoughtnothingofthem。Butlookinsideandseeiftheyarethere。’SoHassebulooked，andsawtheywereeatenbyinsects，allbutonebook，whichhetookawayandread。

Hewassittingathomeonemorningporingoverthemedicinebook，whensomeneighbourscamebyandsaidtohismother:’Giveusthisboy，thatwemaygotogethertocutwood。’Forwood—cuttingwastheirtrade，andtheyloadedseveraldonkeyswiththewood，andsolditinthetown。

Andhismotheranswered，’Verywell;to—morrowIwillbuyhimadonkey，andyoucanallgotogether。’

Sothedonkeywasbought，andtheneighbourscame，andtheyworkedhardallday，andintheeveningtheybroughtthewoodbackintothetown，andsolditforagoodsumofmoney。Andforsixdaystheywentanddidthelike，butontheseventhitrained，andthewood—cuttersranandhidintherocks，allbutHassebu，whodidnotmindwetting，andstayedwherehewas。

Whilehewassittingintheplacewherethewood—cuttershadlefthim，hetookupastonethatlaynearhim，andidlydroppeditontheground。Itrangwithahollowsound，andhecalledtohiscompanions，andsaid，’Comehereandlisten;thegroundseemshollow！’

’Knockagain！’criedthey。Andheknockedandlistened。

’Letusdig，’saidtheboy。Andtheydug，andfoundalargepitlikeawell，filledwithhoneyuptothebrim。

’Thisisbetterthanfirewood，’saidthey;’itwillbringusmoremoney。Andasyouhavefoundit，Hassebu，itisyouwhomustgoinsideanddipoutthehoneyandgivetous，andwewilltakeittothetownandsellit，andwilldividethemoneywithyou。’

Thefollowingdayeachmanbroughteverybowlandvesselhecouldfindathome，andHassebufilledthemallwithhoney。Andthishedideverydayforthreemonths。

Attheendofthattimethehoneywasverynearlyfinished，andtherewasonlyalittleleft，quiteatthebottom，andthatwasverydeepdown，sodeepthatitseemedasifitmustberightinthemiddleoftheearth。Seeingthis，themensaidtoHassebu，’Wewillputaropeunderyourarms，andletyoudown，sothatyoumayscrapeupallthehoneythatisleft，andwhenyouhavedonewewilllowertheropeagain，andyoushallmakeitfast，andwewilldrawyouup。’

’Verywell，’answeredtheboy，andhewentdown，andhescrapedandscrapedtilltherewasnotsomuchhoneyleftaswouldcoverthepointofaneedle。’NowIamready！’hecried;buttheyconsultedtogetherandsaid，’Letusleavehimthereinsidethepit，andtakehisshareofthemoney，andwewilltellhismother，"Yoursonwascaughtbyalionandcarriedoffintotheforest，andwetriedtofollowhim，butcouldnot。"’

Thentheyaroseandwentintothetownandtoldhismotherastheyhadagreed，andsheweptmuchandmadehermourningformanymonths。Andwhenthemenweredividingthemoney，onesaid，’Letussendalittletoourfriend’smother，’andtheysentsometoher;andeverydayonetookherrice，andoneoil;onetookhermeat，andonetookhercloth，everyday。

ItdidnottakelongforHassebutofindoutthathiscompanionshadlefthimtodieinthepit，buthehadabraveheart，andhopedthathemightbeabletofindawayoutforhimself。Soheatoncebegantoexplorethepitandfounditranbackalongwayunderground。Andbynightheslept，andbydayhetookalittleofthehoneyhehadgatheredandateit;andsomanydayspassedby。

Onemorning，whilehewassittingonarockhavinghisbreakfast，alargescorpiondroppeddownathisfeet，andhetookastoneandkilledit，fearingitwouldstinghim。Thensuddenlythethoughtdartedintohishead，’Thisscorpionmusthavecomefromsomewhere！Perhapsthereisahole。Iwillgoandlookforit，’

andhefeltallroundthewallsofthepittillhefoundaverylittleholeintheroofofthepit，withatinyglimmeroflightatthefarendofit。Thenhisheartfeltglad，andhetookouthisknifeandduganddug，tillthelittleholebecameabigone，andhecouldwrigglehimselfthrough。Andwhenhehadgotoutside，hesawalargeopenspaceinfrontofhim，andapathleadingoutofit。

Hewentalongthepath，onandon，tillhereachedalargehouse，withagoldendoorstandingopen。Insidewasagreathall，andinthemiddleofthehallathronesetwithpreciousstonesandasofaspreadwiththesoftestcushions。Andhewentinandlaydownonit，andfellfastasleep，forhehadwanderedfar。

By—and—bytherewasasoundofpeoplecomingthroughthecourtyard，andthemeasuredtrampofsoldiers。ThiswastheKingoftheSnakescominginstatetohispalace。

Theyenteredthehall，butallstoppedinsurpriseatfindingamanlyingontheking’sownbed。Thesoldierswishedtokillhimatonce，butthekingsaid，’Leavehimalone，putmeonachair，’

andthesoldierswhowerecarryinghimkneltonthefloor，andheslidfromtheirshouldersontoachair。Whenhewascomfortablyseated，heturnedtohissoldiers，andbadethemwakethestrangergently。Andtheywokehim，andhesatupandsawmanysnakesallroundhim，andoneofthemverybeautiful，deckedinroyalrobes。

’Whoareyou？’askedHassebu。

’IamtheKingoftheSnakes，’wasthereply，’andthisismypalace。Andwillyoutellmewhoyouare，andwhereyoucomefrom？’

’MynameisHassebu，butwhenceIcomeIknownot，norwhitherI

go。’

’Thenstayforalittlewithme，’saidtheking，andhebadehissoldiersbringwaterfromthespringandfruitsfromtheforest，andtosetthembeforetheguest。

ForsomedaysHasseburestedandfeastedinthepalaceoftheKingoftheSnakes，andthenhebegantolongforhismotherandhisowncountry。SohesaidtotheKingoftheSnakes，’Sendmehome，Ipray。’

ButtheKingoftheSnakesanswered，’Whenyougohome，youwilldomeevil！’

’Iwilldoyounoevil，’repliedHassebu;’sendmehome，Ipray。’

Butthekingsaid，’Iknowit。IfIsendyouhome，youwillcomeback，andkillme。Idarenotdoit。’ButHassebubeggedsohardthatatlastthekingsaid，’Swearthatwhenyougethomeyouwillnotgotobathewheremanypeoplearegathered。’AndHassebuswore，andthekingorderedhissoldierstotakeHassebuinsightofhisnativecity。Thenhewentstraighttohismother’shouse，andtheheartofhismotherwasglad。

NowtheSultanofthecitywasveryill，andallthewisemensaidthattheonlythingtocurehimwasthefleshoftheKingoftheSnakes，andthattheonlymanwhocouldgetitwasamanwithastrangemarkonhischest。SotheVizirhadsetpeopletowatchatthepublicbaths，toseeifsuchamancamethere。

ForthreedaysHasseburememberedhispromisetotheKingoftheSnakes，anddidnotgonearthebaths;thencameamorningsohothecouldhardlybreathe，andheforgotallaboutit。

ThemomenthehadslippedoffhisrobehewastakenbeforetheVizir，whosaidtohim，’LeadustotheplacewheretheKingoftheSnakeslives。’

’Idonotknowit！’answeredhe，buttheVizirdidnotbelievehim，andhadhimboundandbeatentillhisbackwasalltorn。

ThenHassebucried，’Looseme，thatImaytakeyou。’

Theywenttogetheralong，longway，tilltheyreachedthepalaceoftheKingoftheSnakes。

AndHassebusaidtotheKing:’ItwasnotI:lookatmybackandyouwillseehowtheydrovemetoit。’

’Whohasbeatenyoulikethis？’askedtheKing。

’ItwastheVizir，’repliedHassebu。

’ThenIamalreadydead，’saidtheKingsadly，’butyoumustcarrymethereyourself。’

SoHassebucarriedhim。AndonthewaytheKingsaid，’WhenI

arrive，Ishallbekilled，andmyfleshwillbecooked。ButtakesomeofthewaterthatIamboiledin，andputitinabottleandlayitononeside。TheVizirwilltellyoutodrinkit，butbecarefulnottodoso。Thentakesomemoreofthewater，anddrinkit，andyouwillbecomeagreatphysician，andthethirdsupplyyouwillgivetotheSultan。AndwhentheVizircomestoyouandasks，"DidyoudrinkwhatIgaveyou？"youmustanswer，"Idid，andthisisforyou，"andhewilldrinkitanddie！andyoursoulwillrest。’

Andtheywenttheirwayintothetown，andallhappenedastheKingoftheSnakeshadsaid。

AndtheSultanlovedHassebu，whobecameagreatphysician，andcuredmanysickpeople。ButhewasalwayssorryforthepoorKingoftheSnakes。

[AdaptedfromSwahiliTales，]

THEMAIDENWITHTHEWOODENHELMET

InalittlevillageinthecountryofJapantherelivedlong，longagoamanandhiswife。Formanyyearstheywerehappyandprosperous，butbadtimescame，andatlastnothingwasleftthembuttheirdaughter，whowasasbeautifulasthemorning。Theneighbourswereverykind，andwouldhavedoneanythingtheycouldtohelptheirpoorfriends，buttheoldcouplefeltthatsinceeverythinghadchangedtheywouldrathergoelsewhere，soonedaytheysetofftoburythemselvesinthecountry，takingtheirdaughterwiththem。

Nowthemotheranddaughterhadplentytodoinkeepingthehousecleanandlookingafterthegarden，butthemanwouldsitforhourstogethergazingstraightinfrontofhim，andthinkingoftherichesthatoncewerehis。Eachdayhegrewmoreandmorewretched，tillatlengthhetooktohisbedandnevergotupagain。

Hiswifeanddaughterweptbitterlyforhisloss，anditwasmanymonthsbeforetheycouldtakepleasureinanything。Thenonemorningthemothersuddenlylookedatthegirl，andfoundthatshehadgrownstillmorelovelythanbefore。Onceherheartwouldhavebeengladatthesight，butnowthattheytwowerealoneintheworldshefearedsomeharmmightcomeofit。So，likeagoodmother，shetriedtoteachherdaughterallsheknew，andtobringheruptobealwaysbusy，sothatshewouldneverhavetimetothinkaboutherself。Andthegirlwasagoodgirl，andlistenedtoallhermother’slessons，andsotheyearspassedaway。

Atlastonewetspringthemothercaughtcold，andthoughinthebeginningshedidnotpaymuchattentiontoit，shegraduallygrewmoreandmoreill，andknewthatshehadnotlongtolive。

Thenshecalledherdaughterandtoldherthatverysoonshewouldbealoneintheworld;thatshemusttakecareofherself，astherewouldbenoonetotakecareofher。Andbecauseitwasmoredifficultforbeautifulwomentopassunheededthanforothers，shebadeherfetchawoodenhelmetoutofthenextroom，andputitonherhead，andpullitlowdownoverherbrows，sothatnearlythewholeofherfaceshouldlieinitsshadow。Thegirldidasshewasbid，andherbeautywassohiddenbeneaththewoodencap，whichcoveredupallherhair，thatshemighthavegonethroughanycrowd，andnoonewouldhavelookedtwiceather。Andwhenshesawthistheheartofthemotherwasatrest，andshelaybackinherbedanddied。

Thegirlweptformanydays，butby—and—byshefeltthat，beingaloneintheworld，shemustgoandgetwork，forshehadonlyherselftodependupon。Therewasnonetobegotbystayingwhereshewas，soshemadeherclothesintoabundle，andwalkedoverthehillstillshereachedthehouseofthemanwhoownedthefieldsinthatpartofthecountry。Andshetookservicewithhimandlabouredforhimearlyandlate，andeverynightwhenshewenttobedshewasatpeace，forshehadnotforgottenonethingthatshehadpromisedhermother;and，howeverhotthesunmightbe，shealwayskeptthewoodenhelmetonherhead，andthepeoplegaveherthenicknameofHatschihime。

Inspite，however，ofallhercarethefameofherbeautyspreadabroad:manyoftheimpudentyoungmenthatarealwaystobefoundintheworldstolesoftlyupbehindherwhileshewasatwork，andtriedtoliftoffthewoodenhelmet。Butthegirlwouldhavenothingtosaytothem，andonlybadethembeoff;

thentheybegantotalktoher，butsheneveransweredthem，andwentonwithwhatshewasdoing，thoughherwageswerelowandfoodnotveryplentiful。Stillshecouldmanagetolive，andthatwasenough。

Onedayhermasterhappenedtopassthroughthefieldwhereshewasworking，andwasstruckbyherindustryandstoppedtowatchher。Afterawhileheputoneortwoquestionstoher，andthenledherintohishouse，andtoldherthathenceforwardheronlydutyshouldbetotendhissickwife。Fromthistimethegirlfeltasifallhertroubleswereended，buttheworstofthemwasyettocome。

NotverylongafterHatschihimehadbecomemaidtothesickwoman，theeldestsonofthehousereturnedhomefromKioto，wherehehadbeenstudyingallsortsofthings。Hewastiredofthesplendoursofthetownanditspleasures，andwasgladenoughtobebackinthegreencountry，amongthepeach—blossomsandsweetflowers。Strollingaboutintheearlymorning，hecaughtsightofthegirlwiththeoddwoodenhelmetonherhead，andimmediatelyhewenttohismothertoaskwhoshewas，andwhereshecamefrom，andwhysheworethatstrangethingoverherface。

Hismotheransweredthatitwasawhim，andnobodycouldpersuadehertolayitaside;whereattheyoungmanlaughed，butkepthisthoughtstohimself。

Onehotday，however，hehappenedtobegoingtowardshomewhenhecaughtsightofhismother’swaitingmaidkneelingbyalittlestreamthatflowedthroughthegarden，splashingsomewateroverherface。Thehelmetwaspushedononeside，andastheyouthstoodwatchingfrombehindatreehehadaglimpseofthegirl’sgreatbeauty;andhedeterminedthatnooneelseshouldbehiswife。Butwhenhetoldhisfamilyofhisresolvetomarryhertheywereveryangry，andmadeupallsortsofwickedstoriesabouther。However，theymighthavesparedthemselvesthetrouble，asheknewitwasonlyidletalk。’Ihavemerelytoremainfirm，’thoughthe，’andtheywillhavetogivein。’Itwassuchagoodmatchforthegirlthatitneveroccurredtoanyonethatshewouldrefusetheyoungman，butsoitwas。Itwouldnotberight，shefelt，tomakeaquarrelinthehouse，andthoughinsecretsheweptbitterly，foralongwhile，nothingwouldmakeherchangehermind。Atlengthonenighthermotherappearedtoherinadream，andbadehermarrytheyoungman。Sothenexttimeheaskedher——ashedidnearlyeveryday——tohissurpriseandjoysheconsented。Theparentsthensawtheyhadbettermakethebestofabadbusiness，andsetaboutmakingthegrandpreparationssuitabletotheoccasion。Ofcoursetheneighbourssaidagreatmanyill—naturedthingsaboutthewoodenhelmet，butthebridegroomwastoohappytocare，andonlylaughedatthem。

Wheneverythingwasreadyforthefeast，andthebridewasdressedinthemostbeautifulembroidereddresstobefoundinJapan，themaidstookholdofthehelmettoliftitoffherhead，sothattheymightdoherhairinthelatestfashion。Butthehelmetwouldnotcome，andthehardertheypulled，thefasteritseemedtobe，tillthepoorgirlyelledwithpain。Hearinghercriesthebridegroomraninandsoothedher，anddeclaredthatsheshouldbemarriedinthehelmet，asshecouldnotbemarriedwithout。Thentheceremoniesbegan，andthebridalpairsattogether，andthecupofwinewasbroughtthem，outofwhichtheyhadtodrink。Andwhentheyhaddrunkitall，andthecupwasempty，awonderfulthinghappened。Thehelmetsuddenlyburstwithaloudnoise，andfellinpiecesontheground;andastheyallturnedtolooktheyfoundthefloorcoveredwithpreciousstoneswhichhadfallenoutofit。Buttheguestswerelessastonishedatthebrilliancyofthediamondsthanatthebeautyofthebride，whichwasbeyondanythingtheyhadeverseenorheardof。Thenightwaspassedinsinginganddancing，andthenthebrideandbridegroomwenttotheirownhouse，wheretheylivedtilltheydied，andhadmanychildren，whowerefamousthroughoutJapanfortheirgoodnessandbeauty。

[JapanischeMarchen。]

THEMONKEYANDTHEJELLY—FISH

Childrenmustoftenhavewonderedwhyjelly—fisheshavenoshells，likesomanyofthecreaturesthatarewashedupeverydayonthebeach。Inoldtimesthiswasnotso;thejelly—fishhadashardashellasanyofthem，buthelostitthroughhisownfault，asmaybeseeninthisstory。

Thesea—queenOtohime，whomyoureadofinthestoryofUraschimatoro，grewsuddenlyveryill。Theswiftestmessengersweresenthurryingtofetchthebestdoctorsfromeverycountryunderthesea，butitwasallofnouse;thequeengrewrapidlyworseinsteadofbetter。Everyonehadalmostgivenuphope，whenonedayadoctorarrivedwhowasclevererthantherest，andsaidthattheonlythingthatwouldcureherwastheliverofanape。

Nowapesdonotdwellunderthesea，soacouncilofthewisestheadsinthenationwascalledtoconsiderthequestionhowalivercouldbeobtained。Atlengthitwasdecidedthattheturtle，whoseprudencewaswellknown，shouldswimtolandandcontrivetocatchalivingapeandbringhimsafelytotheoceankingdom。

Itwaseasyenoughforthecounciltoentrustthismissiontotheturtle，butnotatallsoeasyforhimtofulfilit。Howeverheswamtoapartofthecoastthatwascoveredwithtalltrees，wherehethoughttheapeswerelikelytobe;forhewasold，andhadseenmanythings。Itwassometimebeforehecaughtsightofanymonkeys，andheoftengrewtiredwithwatchingforthem，sothatonehotdayhefellfastasleep，inspiteofallhiseffortstokeepawake。By—and—bysomeapes，whohadbeenpeepingathimfromthetopsofthetrees，wheretheyhadbeencarefullyhiddenfromtheturtle’seyes，stolenoiselesslydown，andstoodroundstaringathim，fortheyhadneverseenaturtlebefore，anddidnotknowwhattomakeofit。Atlastoneyoungmonkey，bolderthantherest，stoopeddownandstrokedtheshiningshellthatthestrangenewcreatureworeonitsback。Themovement，gentlethoughitwas，woketheturtle。Withonesweepheseizedthemonkey’shandinhismouth，andheldittight，inspiteofeveryefforttopullitaway。Theotherapes，seeingthattheturtlewasnottobetrifledwith，ranoff，leavingtheiryoungbrothertohisfate。

Thentheturtlesaidtothemonkey，’Ifyouwillbequiet，anddowhatItellyou，Iwon’thurtyou。Butyoumustgetonmybackandcomewithme。’

Themonkey，seeingtherewasnohelpforit，didashewasbid;

indeedhecouldnothaveresisted，ashishandwasstillintheturtle’smouth。

Delightedathavingsecuredhisprize，theturtlehastenedbacktotheshoreandplungedquicklyintothewater。Heswamfasterthanhehadeverdonebefore，andsoonreachedtheroyalpalace。

Shoutsofjoybrokeforthfromtheattendantswhenhewasseenapproaching，andsomeofthemrantotellthequeenthatthemonkeywasthere，andthatbeforelongshewouldbeaswellasevershewas。Infact，sogreatwastheirreliefthattheygavethemonkeysuchakindwelcome，andweresoanxioustomakehimhappyandcomfortable，thathesoonforgotallthefearsthathadbesethimastohisfate，andwasgenerallyquiteathisease，thougheverynowandthenafitofhome—sicknesswouldcomeoverhim，andhewouldhidehimselfinsomedarkcornertillithadpassedaway。

Itwasduringoneoftheseattacksofsadnessthatajelly—fishhappenedtoswimby。Atthattimejelly—fisheshadshells。Atthesightofthegayandlivelymonkeycrouchingunderatallrock，withhiseyesclosedandhisheadbent，thejelly—fishwasfilledwithpity，andstopped，saying，’Ah，poorfellow，nowonderyouweep;afewdaysmore，andtheywillcomeandkillyouandgiveyourlivertothequeentoeat。’

Themonkeyshrankbackhorrifiedatthesewordsandaskedthejelly—fishwhatcrimehehadcommittedthatdeserveddeath。

’Oh，noneatall，’repliedthejelly—fish，’butyourliveristheonlythingthatwillcureourqueen，andhowcanwegetatitwithoutkillingyou？Youhadbettersubmittoyourfate，andmakenonoiseaboutit，forthoughIpityyoufrommyheartthereisnowayofhelpingyou。’Thenhewentaway，leavingtheapecoldwithhorror。

Atfirsthefeltasifhisliverwasalreadybeingtakenfromhisbody，butsoonhebegantowonderiftherewasnomeansofescapingthisterribledeath，andatlengthheinventedaplanwhichhethoughtwoulddo。Forafewdayshepretendedtobegayandhappyasbefore，butwhenthesunwentin，andrainfellintorrents，heweptandhowledfromdawntodark，tilltheturtle，whowashisheadkeeper，heardhim，andcametoseewhatwasthematter。Thenthemonkeytoldhimthatbeforehelefthomehehadhunghisliveroutonabushtodry，andifitwasalwaysgoingtorainlikethisitwouldbecomequiteuseless。Andtheroguemadesuchafussandmoaningthathewouldhavemeltedaheartofstone，andnothingwouldcontenthimbutthatsomebodyshouldcarryhimbacktolandandlethimfetchhisliveragain。

Thequeen’scouncillorswerenotthewisestofpeople，andtheydecidedbetweenthemthattheturtleshouldtakethemonkeybacktohisnativelandandallowhimtogethisliveroffthebush，butdesiredtheturtlenottolosesightofhischargeforasinglemoment。Themonkeyknewthis，buttrustedtohispowerofbeguilingtheturtlewhenthetimecame，andmountedonhisbackwithfeelingsofjoy，whichhewas，however，carefultoconceal。

Theysetout，andinafewhourswerewanderingabouttheforestwheretheapehadfirstbeencaught，andwhenthemonkeysawhisfamilypeeringoutfromthetreetops，heswunghimselfupbythenearestbranch，justmanagingtosavehishindlegfrombeingseizedbytheturtle。Hetoldthemallthedreadfulthingsthathadhappenedtohim，andgaveawarcrywhichbroughttherestofthetribefromtheneighbouringhills。Atawordfromhimtheyrushedinabodytotheunfortunateturtle，threwhimonhisback，andtoreofftheshieldthatcoveredhisbody。Thenwithmockingwordstheyhuntedhimtotheshore，andintothesea，whichhewasonlytoothankfultoreachalive。Faintandexhaustedheenteredthequeen’spalaceforthecoldofthewaterstruckuponhisnakedbody，andmadehimfeelillandmiserable。

Butwretchedthoughhewas，hehadtoappearbeforethequeen’sadvisersandtellthemallthathadbefallenhim，andhowhehadsufferedthemonkeytoescape。But，assometimeshappens，theturtlewasallowedtogoscot—free，andhadhisshellgivenbacktohim，andallthepunishmentfellonthepoorjelly—fish，whowascondemnedbythequeentogoshieldlessforeverafter。

[JapanischeMarchen。]

THEHEADLESSDWARFS

Therewasonceaministerwhospenthiswholetimeintryingtofindaservantwhowouldundertaketoringthechurchbellsatmidnight，inadditiontoallhisotherduties。

Ofcourseitwasnoteveryonewhocaredtogetupinthemiddleofthenight，whenhehadbeenworkinghardallday;still，agoodmanyhadagreedtodoit。Butthestrangethingwasthatnosoonerhadtheservantsetforthtoperformhistaskthanhedisappeared，asiftheearthhadswallowedhimup。Nobellswererung，andnoringerevercameback。Theministerdidhisbesttokeepthemattersecret，butitleakedoutforallthat，andtheendofitwasthatnoonewouldenterhisservice。Indeed，therewereeventhosewhowhisperedthattheministerhimselfhadmurderedthemissingmen！

ItwastonopurposethatSundayafterSundaytheministergaveoutfromhispulpitthatdoublewageswouldbepaidtoanyonethatwouldfulfilthesacreddutyofringingthebellsofthechurch。Noonetooktheslightestnoticeofanyofferhemightmake，andthepoormanwasindespair，whenoneday，ashewasstandingathishousedoor，ayouthknowninthevillageasCleverHanscameuptohim。’Iamtiredoflivingwithamiserwhowillnotgivemeenoughtoeatanddrink，’saidhe，’andIamreadytodoallyouwant。’’Verygood，myson，’repliedtheminister，’youshallhavethechanceofprovingyourcouragethisverynight。To—morrowwewillsettlewhatyourwagesaretobe。’

Hanswasquitecontentwiththisproposal，andwentstraightintothekitchentobeginhiswork，notknowingthathisnewmasterwasquiteasstingyashisoldone。Inthehopethathispresencemightbearestraintuponthem，theministerusedtositatthetableduringhisservants’meals，andwouldexhortthemtodrinkmuchandoften，thinkingthattheywouldnotbeabletoeataswell，andbeefwasdearerthanbeer。ButinHanshehadmethismatch，andtheministersoonfoundtohiscostthatinhiscaseatanyrateafullcupdidnotmeananemptyplate。

Aboutanhourbeforemidnight，Hansenteredthechurchandlockedthedoorbehindhim，butwhatwashissurprisewhen，inplaceofthedarknessandsilenceheexpected，hefoundthechurchbrilliantlylighted，andacrowdofpeoplesittingroundatableplayingcards。Hansfeltnofearatthisstrangesight，orwasprudentenoughtohideitifhedid，and，goinguptothetable，satdownamongsttheplayers。Oneofthemlookedupandasked，’Myfriend，whatareyoudoinghere？’andHansgazedathimforamoment，thenlaughedandanswered，’Well，ifanybodyhasarighttoputthatquestion，itisI！Andif_I_donotputit，itwillcertainlybewiserforyounottodoso！’

Thenhepickedupsomecards，andplayedwiththeunknownmenasifhehadknownthemallhislife。Theluckwasonhisside，andsoonthemoneyoftheothergamblersfounditswayfromtheirpocketsintohis。Onthestrokeofmidnightthecockcrew，andinaninstantlights，table，cards，andpeopleallhadvanished，andHanswasleftalone。