We, indeed," concluded Damanaka, "bring you a Bull instead
of a bell--your Majesty shall now see him!"
"Thereupon Lusty-life was introduced, and, the interview passing off
well, he remained many days in the forest on excellent terms with the
Lion.
'One day another Lion, named 'Stiff-ears,' the brother of King
Tawny-hide, came to visit him. The King received him with all imaginable
respect, bade him be seated, and rose from his throne to go and kill
some beasts for his refreshment.
'May it please your Majesty,' interposed the Bull, 'a deer was slain
to-day--where is its flesh?'
'Damanaka and his brother know best,' said the King.
'Let us ascertain if there be any,' suggested the Bull.
'It is useless,' said the King, laughing--'they leave none,'
'What!' exclaimed the Bull, 'have those Jackals eaten a whole deer?'
'Eaten it, spoiled it, and given it away,' answered Tawny-hide; 'they
always do so,'
'And this without your Majesty's sanction?' asked the Bull.
'Oh! certainly not with my sanction,' said the King.
'Then,' exclaimed the Bull, 'it is too bad: and in Ministers too!--
'Narrow-necked to let out little, big of belly to keep much,
As a flagon is--the Vizir of a Sultan should be such.
Pages:
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77