e shell?"

[Illustration]

"Neither one," replied Dorothy, promptly.

"Perhaps plain hay, or some sweet juicy grass would suit you better,"
suggested Kik-a-bray, musingly.

"Is that all you have to eat?" asked the girl.

"What more do you desire?"

"Well, you see we're not donkeys," she explained, "and so we're used to
other food. The foxes gave us a nice supper in Foxville."

"We'd like some dewdrops and mist-cakes," said Polychrome.

"I'd prefer apples and a ham sandwich," declared the shaggy man; "for
although I've a donkey head I still have my own particular stomach."

"I want pie," said Button-Bright.

"I think some beefsteak and chocolate layer-cake would taste best," said
Dorothy.

"Hee-haw! I declare!" exclaimed the King. "It seems each one of you
wants a different food. How queer all living creatures are, except
donkeys!"

"And donkeys like you are queerest of all," laughed Polychrome.

"Well," decided the King, "I suppose my Magic Staff will produce the
things you crave; if you are lacking in good taste it is not my fault."

With this he waved his staff with the jeweled ball, and before them
instantly appeared a tea-table, set with linen and pretty dishes, and on
the table were the very things each had wished for. Dorothy's beefsteak
was smoking hot, and the shaggy man's apples were plump and
rosy-cheeked. The King had not thought to provide chairs, so they all
stood in their places around the table and ate with good appetite, being
hungry. The Rainbow's Daughter found three tiny dewdrops on a crystal
plate, and Button-Bright had a big slice of apple-pie, which he devoured
eagerly.

Afterward the King called the brown donkey, which was his favorite
servant, and bade it lead his guests to the vacant house where they
were to pass the night. It had only one room and no furniture except
beds of clean straw and a few mats of woven grasses; but our travelers
were contented with these simple things because they realized it was the
best the Donkey-King had to offer them. As soon as it was dark they lay
down on the mats and slept comfortably until morning.

At daybreak there was a dreadful noise throughout the city. Every donkey
in the place brayed. When he heard this the shaggy man woke up and
called out "Hee-haw!" as loud as he could.

[Illustration]

"Stop that!" said Button-Bright, in a cross voice. Both Dorothy and
Polly looked at the shaggy man reproachfully.

"I couldn't help it, my dear