is a thing that weighs a good deal. So I
generally take it out, and play about without it during the day-time. We
must go back for it."--The Jelly-Fish agreed that there was nothing
else to be done under the circumstances. For,--silly creature that he
was,--he did not see that the Monkey was telling a story in order to
avoid getting killed, and having his liver used as medicine for the
fanciful young Dragon Queen.

[Illustration]

When they reached the shore of Monkey-Land again, the monkey bounded
off the Jelly-Fish's back, and up to the topmost branch of the
chestnut-tree in less than no time. Then he said: "I do not see my liver
here. Perhaps somebody has taken it away. But I will look for it. You,
meantime, had better go back and tell your Master what has happened. He
might be anxious about you, if you did not get home before dark."

[Illustration]

So the Jelly-Fish started off a second time; and when he got home, he
told the Dragon King everything just as it had happened. But the King
flew into a passion with him for his stupidity, and hallooed to his
officers, saying: "Away with this fellow! Take him, and beat him to a
jelly! Don't let a single bone remain unbroken in his body!" So the
officers seized him, and beat him, as the King had commanded. That is
the reason why, to this very day, Jelly-Fishes have no bones, but are
just nothing more than a mass of pulp.

[Illustration]

As for the Dragon Queen, when she found she could not have the Monkey's
liver,--why! she made up her mind that the only thing to do was to get
well without it.

* * * * *

_Printed by the Kobunsha in Tokyo, Japan._

THE KOBUNSHA'S JAPANESE FAIRY TALE SERIES.

[Illustration]

1. Momotaro or Little Peachling.

2. The Tongue Cut Sparrow.

3. The Battle of the Monkey and the Crab.

4. The Old Man who made the Dead Trees Blossom.

5. Kachi-Kachi Mountain.

6. The Mouse's Wedding.

7. The Old Man and the Devils.

8. Urashima, the Fisher-Boy.

9. The Eight-Headed Serpent.

10. The Matsuyama Mirror.

11. The Hare of Inaba.

12. The Cub's Triumph.

13. The Silly Jelly-Fish.

14. The Princes, Fire-flash and Fire-fade. (_in the press_)

[Illustration]

_Copyright Reserved._

[Illustration]

End of Project Gutenberg's The Silly Jelly-Fish, by B. H. Chamberlain

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