Thegoosethankedhimwithtearsinhereyes，andthedwarfkepthisword。Hekilledtheothertwogeesefordinner，butbuiltalittleshedforMimiinoneofhisrooms，underthepretenceoffatteningherunderhisowneye。Hespentallhissparetimetalkingtoherandcomfortingher，andfedheronallthedaintiestdishes。Theyconfidedtheirhistoriestoeachother，andJemlearntthatthegoosewasthedaughterofthewizardWeatherbold，wholivedontheislandofGothland。Hefelloutwithanoldfairy，whogotthebetterofhimbycunningandtreachery，andtorevengeherselfturnedhisdaughterintoagooseandcarriedherofftothisdistantplace。WhenLongNosetoldherhisstoryshesaid:
’Iknowalittleofthesematters，andwhatyousayshowsmethatyouareunderaherbenchantment——thatistosay，thatifyoucanfindtheherbwhosesmellwokeyouupthespellwouldbebroken。’
ThiswasbutsmallcomfortforJem，forhowandwherewashetofindtheherb？
Aboutthistimethegranddukehadavisitfromaneighbouringprince，afriendofhis。HesentforLongNoseandsaidtohim:
’Nowisthetimetoshowwhatyoucanreallydo。Thisprincewhoisstayingwithmehasbetterdinnersthananyoneexceptmyself，andisagreatjudgeofcooking。Aslongasheishereyoumusttakecarethatmytableshallbeservedinamannertosurprisehimconstantly。Atthesametime，onpainofmydispleasure，takecarethatnodishshallappeartwice。Geteverythingyouwishandsparenothing。Ifyouwanttomeltdowngoldandpreciousstones，doso。Iwouldratherbeapoormanthanhavetoblushbeforehim。’
Thedwarfbowedandanswered:
’Yourhighnessshallbeobeyed。Iwilldoallinmypowertopleaseyouandtheprince。’
Fromthistimethelittlecookwashardlyseenexceptinthekitchen，where，surroundedbyhishelpers，hegaveorders，baked，stewed，flavouredanddishedupallmannerofdishes。
Theprincehadbeenafortnightwiththegrandduke，andenjoyedhimselfmightily。Theyatefivetimesaday，andthedukehadeveryreasontobecontentwiththedwarf’stalents，forhesawhowpleasedhisguestlooked。Onthefifteenthdaythedukesentforthedwarfandpresentedhimtotheprince。
’Youareawonderfulcook，’saidtheprince，’andyoucertainlyknowwhatisgood。AllthetimeIhavebeenhereyouhaveneverrepeatedadish，andallwereexcellent。Buttellmewhyyouhaveneverservedthequeenofalldishes，aSuzerainePasty？’
Thedwarffeltfrightened，forhehadneverheardofthisQueenofPastiesbefore。Buthedidnotlosehispresenceofmind，andreplied:
’Ihavewaited，hopingthatyourhighness’visitherewouldlastsometime，forIproposedtocelebratethelastdayofyourstaywiththistrulyroyaldish。’
’Indeed，’laughedthegrandduke;’thenIsupposeyouwouldhavewaitedforthedayofmydeathtotreatmetoit，foryouhaveneversentituptomeyet。However，youwillhavetoinventsomeotherfarewelldish，forthepastymustbeonmytableto—morrow。’
’Asyourhighnesspleases，’saidthedwarf，andtookleave。
ButitdidnotpleaseHIMatall。Themomentofdisgraceseemedathand，forhehadnoideahowtomakethispasty。Hewenttohisroomsverysad。AshesattherelostinthoughtthegooseMimi，whowasleftfreetowalkabout，cameuptohimandaskedwhatwasthematter？Whensheheardshesaid:
’Cheerup，myfriend。Iknowthedishquitewell:weoftenhaditathome，andIcanguessprettywellhowitwasmade。’Thenshetoldhimwhattoputin，adding:’Ithinkthatwillbeallright，andifsometrifleisleftoutperhapstheywon’tfinditout。’
Sureenough，nextdayamagnificentpastyallwreathedroundwithflowerswasplacedonthetable。Jemhimselfputonhisbestclothesandwentintothedininghall。Asheenteredtheheadcarverwasintheactofcuttingupthepieandhelpingthedukeandhisguests。Thegrandduketookalargemouthfulandthrewuphiseyesasheswallowedit。
’Oh！oh！thismaywellbecalledtheQueenofPasties，andatthesametimemydwarfmustbecalledthekingofcooks。Don’tyouthinkso，dearfriend？’
Theprincetookseveralsmallpieces，tastedandexaminedcarefully，andthensaidwithamysteriousandsarcasticsmile:
’Thedishisverynicelymade，buttheSuzeraineisnotquitecomplete——asIexpected。’
Thegranddukeflewintoarage。
’Dogofacook，’heshouted;’howdareyouservemeso？I’veagoodmindtochopoffyourgreatheadasapunishment。’
’Formercy’ssake，don’t，yourhighness！Imadethepastyaccordingtothebestrules;nothinghasbeenleftout。AsktheprincewhatelseIshouldhaveputin。’
Theprincelaughed。’Iwassureyoucouldnotmakethisdishaswellasmycook，friendLongNose。Know，then，thataherbiswantingcalledRelish，whichisnotknowninthiscountry，butwhichgivesthepastyitspeculiarflavour，andwithoutwhichyourmasterwillnevertasteittoperfection。’
Thegranddukewasmorefuriousthanever。
’ButIWILLtasteittoperfection，’heroared。’Eitherthepastymustbemadeproperlyto—morroworthisrascal’sheadshallcomeoff。Go，scoundrel，Igiveyoutwenty—fourhoursrespite。’
Thepoordwarfhurriedbacktohisroom，andpouredouthisgrieftothegoose。
’Oh，isthatall，’saidshe，’thenIcanhelpyou，formyfathertaughtmetoknowallplantsandherbs。Luckilythisisanewmoonjustnow，fortheherbonlyspringsupatsuchtimes。Buttellme，aretherechestnuttreesnearthepalace？’
’Oh，yes！’criedLongNose，muchrelieved;’nearthelake——onlyacoupleofhundredyardsfromthepalace——isalargeclumpofthem。Butwhydoyouask？’
’Becausetheherbonlygrowsneartherootsofchestnuttrees，’
repliedMimi;’soletuslosenotimeinfindingit。Takemeunderyourarmandputmedownoutofdoors，andI’llhuntforit。’
Hedidasshebade，andassoonastheywereinthegardenputherontheground，whenshewaddledoffasfastasshecouldtowardsthelake，Jemhurryingafterherwithananxiousheart，forheknewthathislifedependedonhersuccess。Thegoosehuntedeverywhere，butinvain。Shesearchedundereachchestnuttree，turningeverybladeofgrasswithherbill——nothingtobeseen，andeveningwasdrawingon！
Suddenlythedwarfnoticedabigoldtreestandingaloneontheothersideofthelake。’Look，’criedhe，’letustryourluckthere。’
Thegooseflutteredandskippedinfront，andheranafterasfastashislittlelegscouldcarryhim。Thetreecastawideshadow，anditwasalmostdarkbeneathit，butsuddenlythegoosestoodstill，flappedherwingswithjoy，andpluckedsomething，whichsheheldouttoherastonishedfriend，saying:’Thereitis，andthereismoregrowinghere，soyouwillhavenolackofit。’
Thedwarfstoodgazingattheplant。Itgaveoutastrongsweetscent，whichremindedhimofthedayofhisenchantment。Thestemsandleaveswereabluishgreen，anditboreadark，brightredflowerwithayellowedge。
’Whatawonder！’criedLongNose。’Idobelievethisistheveryherbwhichchangedmefromasquirrelintomypresentmiserableform。ShallItryanexperiment？’
’Notyet，’saidthegoose。’Takeagoodhandfuloftheherbwithyou，andletusgotoyourrooms。Wewillcollectallyourmoneyandclothestogether，andthenwewilltestthepowersoftheherb。’
SotheywentbacktoJem’srooms，andherehegatheredtogethersomefiftyducatshehadsaved，hisclothesandshoes，andtiedthemallupinabundle。Thenheplungedhisfaceintothebunchofherbs，anddrewintheirperfume。
Ashedidso，allhislimbsbegantocrackandstretch;hefelthisheadrisingabovehisshoulders;heglanceddownathisnose，andsawitgrowsmallerandsmaller;hischestandbackgrewflat，andhislegsgrewlong。
Thegooselookedoninamazement。’Oh，howbigandhowbeautifulyouare！’shecried。’Thankheaven，youarequitechanged。’
Jemfoldedhishandsinthanks，ashisheartswelledwithgratitude。ButhisjoydidnotmakehimforgetallheowedtohisfriendMimi。
’Ioweyoumylifeandmyrelease，’hesaid，’forwithoutyouI
shouldneverhaveregainedmynaturalshape，and，indeed，wouldsoonhavebeenbeheaded。Iwillnowtakeyoubacktoyourfather，whowillcertainlyknowhowtodisenchantyou。’
Thegooseacceptedhisofferwithjoy，andtheymanagedtoslipoutofthepalaceunnoticedbyanyone。
Theygotthroughthejourneywithoutaccident，andthewizardsoonreleasedhisdaughter，andloadedJemwiththanksandvaluablepresents。Helostnotimeinhasteningbacktohisnativetown，andhisparentswereveryreadytorecognisethehandsome，well—madeyoungmanastheirlong—lostson。Withthemoneygivenhimbythewizardheopenedashop，whichprosperedwell，andhelivedlongandhappily。
ImustnotforgettomentionthatmuchdisturbancewascausedinthepalacebyJem’ssuddendisappearance，forwhenthegranddukesentordersnextdaytobeheadthedwarf，ifhehadnotfoundthenecessaryherbs，thedwarfwasnottobefound。Theprincehintedthatthedukehadallowedhiscooktoescape，andhadthereforebrokenhisword。Thematterendedinagreatwarbetweenthetwoprinces，whichwasknowninhistoryasthe’HerbWar。’Aftermanybattlesandmuchlossoflife，apeacewasatlastconcluded，andthispeacebecameknownasthe’PastyPeace，’
becauseatthebanquetgiveninitshonourtheprince’scookdisheduptheQueenofPasties——theSuzeraine——andthegranddukedeclaredittobequiteexcellent。
THENUNDA，EATEROFPEOPLE
Onceuponatimetherelivedasultanwholovedhisgardendearly，andplanteditwithtreesandflowersandfruitsfromallpartsoftheworld。Hewenttoseethemthreetimeseveryday:
firstatseveno’clock，whenhegotup，thenatthree，andlastlyathalf—pastfive。Therewasnoplantandnovegetablewhichescapedhiseye，buthelingeredlongestofallbeforehisonedatetree。
Nowthesultanhadsevensons。Sixofthemhewasproudof，fortheywerestrongandmanly，buttheyoungesthedisliked，forhespentallhistimeamongthewomenofthehouse。Thesultanhadtalkedtohim，andhepaidnoheed;andhehadbeatenhim，andhepaidnoheed;andhehadtiedhimup，andhepaidnoheed，tillatlasthisfathergrewtiredoftryingtomakehimchangehisways，andlethimalone。
Timepassed，andonedaythesultan，tohisgreatjoy，sawsignsoffruitonhisdatetree。Andhetoldhisvizir，’Mydatetreeisbearing;’andhetoldtheofficers，’Mydatetreeisbearing;’
andhetoldthejudges，’Mydatetreeisbearing;’andhetoldalltherichmenofthetown。
Hewaitedpatientlyforsomedaystillthedateswerenearlyripe，andthenhecalledhissixsons，andsaid:’Oneofyoumustwatchthedatetreetillthedatesareripe，forifitisnotwatchedtheslaveswillstealthem，andIshallnothaveanyforanotheryear。’
Andtheeldestsonanswered，’Iwillgo，father，’andhewent。
Thefirstthingtheyouthdidwastosummonhisslaves，andbidthembeatdrumsallnightunderthedatetree，forhefearedtofallasleep。Sotheslavesbeatthedrums，andtheyoungmandancedtillfouro’clock，andthenitgrewsocoldhecoulddancenolonger，andoneoftheslavessaidtohim:’Itisgettinglight;thetreeissafe;liedown，master，andgotosleep。’
Sohelaydownandslept，andhisslavessleptlikewise。
Afewminuteswentby，andabirdflewdownfromaneighbouringthicket，andateallthedates，withoutleavingasingleone。
Andwhenthetreewasstrippedbare，thebirdwentasithadcome。Soonafter，oneoftheslaveswokeupandlookedforthedates，buttherewerenodatestosee。Thenherantotheyoungmanandshookhim，saying:
’Yourfathersetyoutowatchthetree，andyouhavenotwatched，andthedateshaveallbeeneatenbyabird。’
Theladjumpedupandrantothetreetoseeforhimself，buttherewasnotadateanywhere。Andhecriedaloud，’WhatamItosaytomyfather？ShallItellhimthatthedateshavebeenstolen，orthatagreatrainfellandagreatstormblew？Buthewillsendmetogatherthemupandbringthemtohim，andtherearenonetobring！ShallItellhimthatBedouinsdrovemeaway，andwhenIreturnedtherewerenodates？Andhewillanswer，\"Youhadslaves，didtheynotfightwiththeBedouins？\"
Itisthetruththatwillbebest，andthatwillItellhim。’
Thenhewentstraighttohisfather，andfoundhimsittinginhisverandahwithhisfivesonsroundhim;andtheladbowedhishead。
’Givemethenewsfromthegarden，’saidthesultan。
Andtheyouthanswered，’Thedateshaveallbeeneatenbysomebird:thereisnotoneleft。’
Thesultanwassilentforamoment:thenheasked，’Wherewereyouwhenthebirdcame？’
Theladanswered:’Iwatchedthedatetreetillthecockswerecrowinganditwasgettinglight;thenIlaydownforalittle，andIslept。WhenIwokeaslavewasstandingoverme，andhesaid，\"Thereisnotonedateleftonthetree！\"AndIwenttothedatetree，andsawitwastrue;andthatiswhatIhavetotellyou。’
Andthesultanreplied，’Asonlikeyouisonlygoodforeatingandsleeping。Ihavenouseforyou。Goyourway，andwhenmydatetreebearsagain，Iwillsendanotherson;perhapshewillwatchbetter。’
Sohewaitedmanymonths，tillthetreewascoveredwithmoredatesthananytreehadeverbornebefore。Whentheywerenearripeninghesentoneofhissonstothegarden:saying，’Myson，Iamlongingtotastethosedates:goandwatchoverthem，forto—day’ssunwillbringthemtoperfection。’
Andtheladanswered:’Myfather，Iamgoingnow，andto—morrow，whenthesunhaspassedthehourofseven，bidaslavecomeandgatherthedates。’
’Good，’saidthesultan。
Theyouthwenttothetree，andlaydownandslept。Andaboutmidnighthearosetolookatthetree，andthedateswereallthere——beautifuldates，swinginginbunches。
’Ah，myfatherwillhaveafeast，indeed，’thoughthe。’Whatafoolmybrotherwasnottotakemoreheed！Nowheisindisgrace，andweknowhimnomore。Well，Iwillwatchtillthebirdcomes。Ishouldliketoseewhatmannerofbirditis。’
Andhesatandreadtillthecockscrewanditgrewlight，andthedateswerestillonthetree。
’Ohmyfatherwillhavehisdates;theyareallsafenow，’hethoughttohimself。’Iwillmakemyselfcomfortableagainstthistree，’andheleanedagainstthetrunk，andsleepcameonhim，andthebirdflewdownandateallthedates。
Whenthesunrose，thehead—mancameandlookedforthedates，andtherewerenodates。Andhewoketheyoungman，andsaidtohim，’Lookatthetree。’
Andtheyoungmanlooked，andtherewerenodates。Andhisearswerestopped，andhislegstrembled，andhistonguegrewheavyatthethoughtofthesultan。Hisslavebecamefrightenedashelookedathim，andasked，’Mymaster，whatisit？’
Heanswered，’Ihavenopainanywhere，butIamilleverywhere。
Mywholebodyiswell，andmywholebodyissickIfearmyfather，fordidInotsaytohim，\"To—morrowatsevenyoushalltastethedates\"？Andhewilldrivemeaway，ashedroveawaymybrother！Iwillgoawaymyself，beforehesendsme。’
Thenhegotupandtookaroadthatledstraightpastthepalace，buthehadnotwalkedmanystepsbeforehemetamancarryingalargesilverdish，coveredwithawhiteclothtocoverthedates。
Andtheyoungmansaid，’Thedatesarenotripeyet;youmustreturnto—morrow。’
Andtheslavewentwithhimtothepalace，wherethesultanwassittingwithhisfoursons。
’Goodgreeting，master！’saidtheyouth。
Andthesultananswered，’HaveyouseenthemanIsent？’
’Ihave，master;butthedatesarenotyetripe。’
Butthesultandidnotbelievehiswords，andsaid;’ThissecondyearIhaveeatennodates，becauseofmysons。Goyourways，youaremysonnolonger！’
Andthesultanlookedatthefoursonsthatwerelefthim，andpromisedrichgiftstowhicheverofthemwouldbringhimthedatesfromthetree。Butyearbyyearpassed，andhenevergotthem。Onesontriedtokeephimselfawakewithplayingcards;
anothermountedahorseandroderoundandroundthetree，whilethetwoothers，whomtheirfatherasalasthopesenttogether，litbonfires。Butwhatevertheydid，theresultwasalwaysthesame。Towardsdawntheyfellasleep，andthebirdatethedatesonthetree。
Thesixthyearhadcome，andthedatesonthetreewerethickerthanever。Andthehead—manwenttothepalaceandtoldthesultanwhathehadseen。Butthesultanonlyshookhishead，andsaidsadly，’Whatisthattome？Ihavehadsevensons，yetforfiveyearsabirdhasdevouredmydates;andthisyearitwillbethesameasever。’
Nowtheyoungestsonwassittinginthekitchen，aswashiscustom，whenheheardhisfathersaythosewords。Andheroseup，andwenttohisfather，andkneltbeforehim。’Father，thisyearyoushalleatdates，’criedhe。’Andonthetreearefivegreatbunches，andeachbunchIwillgivetoaseparatenation，forthenationsinthetownarefive。Thistime，Iwillwatchthedatetreemyself。’Buthisfatherandhismotherlaughedheartily，andthoughthiswordsidletalk。
Oneday，newswasbroughttothesultanthatthedateswereripe，andheorderedoneofhismentogoandwatchthetree。Hisson，whohappenedtobestandingby，heardtheorder，andhesaid:
’Howisitthatyouhavebiddenamantowatchthetree，whenI，yourson，amleft？’
Andhisfatheranswered，’Ah，sixwereofnouse，andwheretheyfailed，willyousucceed？’
Buttheboyreplied:’Havepatienceto—day，andletmego，andto—morrowyoushallseewhetherIbringyoudatesornot。’
’Letthechildgo，Master，’saidhiswife;’perhapsweshalleatthedates——orperhapsweshallnot——butlethimgo。’
Andthesultananswered:’Idonotrefusetolethimgo，butmyheartdistrustshim。Hisbrothersallpromisedfair，andwhatdidtheydo？’
Buttheboyentreated，saying，’Father，ifyouandIandmotherbealiveto—morrow，youshalleatthedates。’
’Gothen，’saidhisfather。
Whentheboyreachedthegarden，hetoldtheslavestoleavehim，andtoreturnhomethemselvesandsleep。Whenhewasalone，helaidhimselfdownandsleptfasttilloneo’clock，whenhearose，andsatoppositethedatetree。ThenhetooksomeIndiancornoutofonefoldofhisdress，andsomesandygritoutofanother。
Andhechewedthecorntillhefelthewasgrowingsleepy，andthenheputsomegritintohismouth，andthatkepthimawaketillthebirdcame。
Itlookedaboutatfirstwithoutseeinghim，andwhisperingtoitself，’Thereisnoonehere，’flutteredlightlyontothetreeandstretchedouthisbeakforthedates。Thentheboystolesoftlyup，andcaughtitbythewing。
Thebirdturnedandflewquicklyaway，buttheboyneverletgo，notevenwhentheysoaredhighintotheair。
’SonofAdam，’thebirdsaidwhenthetopsofthemountainslookedsmallbelowthem，’ifyoufall，youwillbedeadlongbeforeyoureachtheground，sogoyourway，andletmegomine。’
Buttheboyanswered，’Whereveryougo，Iwillgowithyou。Youcannotgetridofme。’
’Ididnoteatyourdates，’persistedthebird，’andthedayisdawning。Leavemetogomyway。’
Butagaintheboyansweredhim:’Mysixbrothersarehatefultomyfatherbecauseyoucameandstolethedates，andto—daymyfathershallseeyou，andmybrothersshallseeyou，andallthepeopleofthetown，greatandsmall，shallseeyou。Andmyfather’sheartwillrejoice。’
’Well，ifyouwillnotleaveme，Iwillthrowyouoff，’saidthebird。
Soitflewuphigherstill——sohighthattheearthshonelikeoneoftheotherstars。
’Howmuchofyouwillbeleftifyoufallfromhere？’askedthebird。
’IfIdie，Idie，’saidtheboy，’butIwillnotleaveyou。’
Andthebirdsawitwasnousetalking，andwentdowntotheearthagain。
’Hereyouareathome，soletmegomyway，’itbeggedoncemore;
’oratleastmakeacovenantwithme。’
’Whatcovenant？’saidtheboy。
’Savemefromthesun，’repliedthebird，’andIwillsaveyoufromrain。’
’Howcanyoudothat，andhowcanItellifIcantrustyou？’
’Pullafeatherfrommytail，andputitinthefire，andifyouwantmeIwillcometoyou，whereverIam。’
Andtheboyanswered，’Well，Iagree;goyourway。’
’Farewell，myfriend。Whenyoucallme，ifitisfromthedepthsofthesea，Iwillcome。’
Theladwatchedthebirdoutofsight;thenhewentstraighttothedatetree。Andwhenhesawthedateshisheartwasglad，andhisbodyfeltstrongerandhiseyesbrighterthanbefore。Andhelaughedoutloudwithjoy，andsaidtohimself，’ThisisMYluck，mine，Sit—in—the—kitchen！Farewell，datetree，Iamgoingtoliedown。Whatateyouwilleatyounomore。’
Thesunwashighintheskybeforethehead—man，whosebusinessitwas，cametolookatthedatetree，expectingtofinditstrippedofallitsfruit，butwhenhesawthedatessothickthattheyalmosthidtheleavesheranbacktohishouse，andbeatabigdrumtilleverybodycamerunning，andeventhelittlechildrenwantedtoknowwhathadhappened。
’Whatisit？Whatisit，head—man？’criedthey。
’Ah，itisnotasonthatthemasterhas，butalion！ThisdaySit—in—the—kitchenhasuncoveredhisfacebeforehisfather！’
’Buthow，head—man？’
’Todaythepeoplemayeatthedates。’
’Isittrue，head—man？’
’Ohyes，itistrue，butlethimsleeptilleachmanhasbroughtforthapresent。Hewhohasfowls，lethimtakefowls;hewhohasagoat，lethimtakeagoat;hewhohasrice，lethimtakerice。’Andthepeopledidashehadsaid。
Thentheytookthedrum，andwenttothetreewheretheboylaysleeping。
Andtheypickedhimup，andcarriedhimaway，withhornsandclarionetsanddrums，withclappingsofhandsandshrieksofjoy，straighttohisfather’shouse。
Whenhisfatherheardthenoiseandsawthebasketsmadeofgreenleaves，brimmingoverwithdates，andhissonbornehighonthenecksofslaves，hisheartleaped，andhesaidtohimself’To—dayatlastIshalleatdates。’Andhecalledhiswifetoseewhathersonhaddone，andorderedhissoldierstotaketheboyandbringhimtohisfather。
’Whatnews，myson？’saidhe。
’News？Ihavenonews，exceptthatifyouwillopenyourmouthyoushallseewhatdatestastelike。’Andhepluckedadate，andputitintohisfather’smouth。
’Ah！Youareindeedmyson，’criedthesultan。’Youdonottakeafterthosefools，thosegood—for—nothings。But，tellme，whatdidyoudowiththebird，foritwasyou，andyouonlywhowatchedforit？’
’Yes，itwasIwhowatchedforitandwhosawit。Anditwillnotcomeagain，neitherforitslife，norforyourlife，norforthelivesofyourchildren。’
’Oh，onceIhadsixsons，andnowIhaveonlyone。Itisyou，whomIcalledafool，whohavegivenmethedates:asfortheothers，Iwantnoneofthem。’
Buthiswiferoseupandwenttohim，andsaid，’Master，donot，Iprayyou，rejectthem，’andsheentreatedlong，tillthesultangrantedherprayer，forshelovedthesixelderonesmorethanherlastone。
Sotheyalllivedquietlyathome，tillthesultan’scatwentandcaughtacalf。Andtheownerofthecalfwentandtoldthesultan，butheanswered，’Thecatismine，andthecalfmine，’
andthemandarednotcomplainfurther。
Twodaysafter，thecatcaughtacow，andthesultanwastold，’Master，thecathascaughtacow，’butheonlysaid，’Itwasmycowandmycat。’
Andthecatwaitedafewdays，andthenitcaughtadonkey，andtheytoldthesultan，’Master，thecathascaughtadonkey，’andhesaid，’Mycatandmydonkey。’Nextitwasahorse，andafterthatacamel，andwhenthesultanwastoldhesaid，’Youdon’tlikethiscat，andwantmetokillit。AndIshallnotkillit。
Letiteatthecamel:letiteveneataman。’
Anditwaitedtillthenextday，andcaughtsomeone’schild。
Andthesultanwastold，’Thecathascaughtachild。’Andhesaid，’Thecatismineandthechildmine。’Thenitcaughtagrown—upman。
Afterthatthecatleftthetownandtookupitsabodeinathicketneartheroad。Soifanyonepassed，goingforwater，itdevouredhim。Ifitsawacowgoingtofeed，itdevouredhim。
Ifitsawagoat，itdevouredhim。Whateverwentalongthatroadthecatcaughtandate。
Thenthepeoplewenttothesultaninabody，andtoldhimofallthemisdeedsofthatcat。Butheansweredasbefore，’Thecatismineandthepeoplearemine。’Andnomandaredkillthecat，whichgrewbolderandbolder，andatlastcameintothetowntolookforitsprey。
Oneday，thesultansaidtohissixsons，’Iamgoingintothecountry，toseehowthewheatisgrowing，andyoushallcomewithme。’Theywentonmerrilyalongtheroad，tilltheycametoathicket，whenoutsprangthecat，andkilledthreeofthesons。
’Thecat！Thecat！’shriekedthesoldierswhowerewithhim。
Andthistimethesultansaid:
’Seekforitandkillit。Itisnolongeracat，butademon！’
Andthesoldiersansweredhim，’Didwenottellyou，master，whatthecatwasdoing，anddidyounotsay，\"Mycatandmypeople\"？’
Andheanswered:’True，Isaidit。’
Nowtheyoungestsonhadnotgonewiththerest，buthadstayedathomewithhismother;andwhenheheardthathisbrothershadbeenkilledbythecathesaid，’Letmego，thatitmayslaymealso。’Hismotherentreatedhimnottoleaveher，buthewouldnotlisten，andhetookhisswordandaspearandsomericecakes，andwentafterthecat，whichbythistimehadrunoftoagreatdistance。
Theladspentmanydayshuntingthecat，whichnowborethenameof’TheNunda，eaterofpeople，’butthoughhekilledmanywildanimalshesawnotraceoftheenemyhewashuntingfor。Therewasnobeast，howeverfierce，thathewasafraidof，tillatlasthisfatherandmotherbeggedhimtogiveupthechaseaftertheNunda。
Butheanswered:’WhatIhavesaid，Icannottakeback。IfIamtodie，thenIdie，buteverydayImustgoandseekfortheNunda。’
Andagainhisfatherofferedhimwhathewould，eventhecrownitself，buttheboywouldhearnothing，andwentonhisway。
Manytimeshisslavescameandtoldhim，’Wehaveseenfootprints，andto—dayweshallbeholdtheNunda。’ButthefootprintsneverturnedouttobethoseoftheNunda。Theywanderedfarthroughdesertsandthroughforests，andatlengthcametothefootofagreathill。Andsomethingintheboy’ssoulwhisperedthatherewastheendofalltheirseeking，andto—daytheywouldfindtheNunda。
Butbeforetheybegantoclimbthemountaintheboyorderedhisslavestocooksomerice，andtheyrubbedthesticktomakeafire，andwhenthefirewaskindledtheycookedthericeandateit。Thentheybegantheirclimb。
