s Wolf ate, he thought
of the magic bow and arrow, and he planned to get them away from Monkey.

"First I will ask for them," he said to himself. "If Monkey will not
give them to me, I will use force."

[Illustration: Wolf demands the bow and arrow]

When Wolf had finished eating, he said to Monkey, "Please give me the
bow and arrow."

"I will not," said Monkey. "They were a present from my dear uncle; why
should I give them to you?"

"Very well," said Wolf. "I am stronger than you, and I will take them by
force."

II

Wolf was just about to snatch the bow and arrow from Monkey when Jackal
came along. Then Wolf thought of a new plan.

He called out to Jackal, "Help! help! Monkey has stolen my magic bow and
arrow."

Jackal came running to them. Wolf told his side of the story, and Monkey
told his.

"I cannot believe either of you," said Jackal. "Let us lay the question
before the court. There Lion, Tiger, and the other animals will hear you
both; perhaps they will be able to decide to whom the magic bow and
arrow belong. But to keep you two from quarreling, I had better take
care of the bow and arrow."

Monkey gave them to Jackal, and all three started off to court. When
they arrived, there sat Lion on the throne. Seated around were the other
animals of the jungle.

Monkey told his story first. Standing in front of the throne, he made a
low bow and said, "The great famine, my lord, drove me out of my
country, and I had to take refuge with my uncle. When I started back
home, he gave me this bow and arrow. Finding Wolf almost starving, I
shot a deer for him. Instead of being grateful for the food, he tried to
rob me of the bow and arrow. I am here to ask that you restore them to
me."

"He does not tell the truth," cried Wolf.

Then Jackal said, "I believe that the bow and arrow belong to Wolf; he
and Monkey were quarreling about them when I came along. They agreed to
leave the question to you, King Lion. I know you will see that justice
is done."

Wolf looked very innocent and said nothing.

King Lion rose and asked, "What say you? To whom do the bow and arrow
belong?"

"To Wolf," they all cried.

"Stealing is a crime that must be punished," said King Lion. "What shall
be done?"

"Let Monkey be hanged," they all cried.

Monkey still had his magic fiddle. Holding it in his hand, he made a
deep bow and said: "Give me leave to play a tune on my fiddle before I
hang, O King."

Now, the beast