t
nothing from him, and having said good-bye, set out once more on his
wanderings.

One day, soon after this, he came upon two men resting under a tree in
the heat of the day. Being tired he stretched himself on the ground at
no great distance from them, and soon they all three began to talk to
one another. In the course of conversation, Bobino asked the two men
where they were going; and they replied that they were on their way to a
neighbouring town, where, that day, a new ruler was to be chosen by the
people.

While they were still talking, some sparrows settled on the tree under
which they were lying. Bobino was silent, and appeared to be listening
attentively. At the end of a few minutes he said to his companions, 'Do
you know what those sparrows are saying? They are saying that to-day one
of us will be chosen ruler of that town.'

The men said nothing, but looked at each other. A few minutes later,
seeing that Bobino had fallen asleep, they stole away, and made with all
haste for the town, where the election of a new ruler was to take
place.

A great crowd was assembled in the market-place, waiting for the hour
when an eagle should be let loose from a cage, for it had been settled
that on whose-soever house the eagle alighted, the owner of that house
should become ruler of the town. At last the hour arrived; the eagle was
set free, and all eyes were strained to see where it would alight. But
circling over the heads of the crowd, it flew straight in the direction
of a young man, who was at that moment entering the town. This was none
other than Bobino, who had awakened soon after his companions had left
him, and had followed in their footsteps. All the people shouted and
proclaimed that he was their future ruler, and he was conducted by a
great crowd to the Governor's house, which was for the future to be his
home. And here he lived happily, and ruled wisely over the people.

[Illustration: The Townspeople make Bobino King]

_THE DOG AND THE SPARROW_

There was once upon a time a sheep-dog whose master was so unkind that
he starved the poor beast, and ill-treated him in the cruellest manner.
At last the dog determined to stand this ill-usage no longer, and, one
day, he ran away from home. As he was trotting along the road he met a
sparrow, who stopped him and said: 'Brother, why do you look so sad?'

The dog answered: 'I am sad because I am hungry, and have nothing to
eat.'

'If that's all, de