r Eagle," said the people of Half-a-Loaf, "But O, Bad
Fortune! we have hardly a crop growing. This will be a hard year for
us--we haven't lambs to grow into sheep even."

"We have our crops," said the people of Windy-Gap, "but, Bad Cess to
it! What are we to do about paying our tribute to the King?"

And still they couldn't decide whether it was the Eagle or the Cuckoo
or the Woodpecker that was King of the Birds. They were still
considering it when the King's Messenger came to bid them come with
their tribute to the King's Castle.

What were the people of Windy-Gap to do? They searched round and about
but no bird at all could they find. And then as he was being marched
off the Headman put his hand under the thatch of his house and took
out a Wren that was sheltering there. He put the Wren under his hat
and went off with the King's Messenger.

And there, before him on the way to the King's Castle was the Headman
of Half-a-Loaf. The riders of the village were with him and they bore
their golden Eagle most triumphantly.

"Give to my Falconer the King of the Birds," said the King.

The Headman of Half-a-Loaf presented the Eagle.

"It is well," said the King, "and where have you," said he to the
Headman of Windy-Gap, "bestowed the King of the Birds?"

The Headman put his hand under his hat and handed over the Wren to the
King's Falconer.

"Tush," said the King, "Why do you call this the King of the Birds?"

The Headman of Windy-Gap was going to say "Because his family is
great," but he said instead "Because he flies the highest, my lord."

"If it be truth it's unknown to me," said the King, "but it shall be
tried out."

Then said he to the Royal Falconer, "Let the Eagle and the Wren soar
together. And when the Eagle outsoars the Wren it shall be proved that
the Headman of Windy-Gap is a catiff, and his village and everyone in
it will be sold to the Saracens. But if it so happens that the Wren
outsoars the Eagle, the tribute sent from the village of Windy-Gap
must be accepted."

The Eagle and the Wren rose from the same perch and soared up
together. Up and up the Eagle went. "So far my father went, but I
shall go farther," said the Eagle. Higher and higher he rose. "So far
my grandfather went but I shall go farther." Farther and farther he
soared. "So far went my great-grandfather, and no eagle again will fly
so high." His wings were stiff and tired. "No bird will ever out-soar
this flight of mine," said the