r again.

The Prince and the King soon changed their clothes, and then there was
much rejoicing throughout the land. Of course the first thing Zingle
asked for was something to eat, and before long he was sitting at a
table heaped with all sorts of good things, plucked fresh from the
trees.

The people crowded around him, demanding the tale of his adventures,
and their surprise was only equaled by their horror when they learned
he had been captured by a band of monkeys, and shut up in a cage
because he was thought to be a dangerous wild beast.

Experience is said to be an excellent teacher, although a very cruel
one. Prince Zingle had now seen enough of foreign countries to remain
contented with his own beautiful Valley, and, although it was many
years before he again attempted to fly a kite, it was noticed that,
when he at last did indulge in that sport, the kite was of a very small
size.

_The Thirteenth Surprise_

THE STOLEN PLUM-PUDDING

The King's plum-pudding crop had for some time suffered from the
devastations of a secret enemy. Each day, as he examined the vines, he
found more and more of the plum-pudding missing, and finally the
monarch called his Wise Men together and asked them what he should do.

The Wise Men immediately shut their eyes and pondered so long over the
problem that they fell fast asleep. While they slept still more of the
plum-pudding was stolen. When they awoke the King was justly incensed,
and told the Wise Men that unless they discovered the thief within
three days he would give them no cake with their ice-cream.

This terrible threat at last aroused them to action, and, after
consulting together, they declared that in their opinion it was the Fox
that had stolen the pudding.

Hearing this, the King ordered out his soldiers, who soon captured the
Fox and brought him to the palace, where the King sat in state,
surrounded by his Wise Men.

"So ho! Master Fox," exclaimed the King, "we have caught you at last."

"So it seems," returned the Fox, calmly. "May I ask your Majesty why I
am thus torn from my home, from my wife and children, and brought
before you like any common criminal?"

"You have stolen the plum-pudding," answered the King.

"I beg your Majesty's pardon for contradicting you, but I have stolen
nothing," declared the Fox. "I can easily prove my innocence. When was
the plum-pudding taken?"

"A great deal of it was taken this morning, while the Wise Men slept