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。
