which Puss discharged his duties raised him high in
the royal regard, and a circumstance soon occurred which advanced him
still further. The king took his naps by an open window, and had a plate
of cherries placed beside him that he might eat them when he awoke. A
crow from the neighboring forest constantly stole the fruit, nor had all
the efforts of the king's servants succeeded in destroying the bird.
The cat, however, concealed himself in the window-hangings, and pounced
upon the unlucky marauder, and broke his neck. The king was full of
gratitude, and ordered that Puss's salary be increased. Soon after, a
bear came and ravaged the king's flocks. His majesty commanded Puss to
kill him. "I can only do what I am able," pleaded the cat; but the king
insisted. While Puss was coming, Bruin attacked the store of a swarm of
bees, and was stung to death. "You have done as I knew you would, my
dear cat," said the king, and would listen to no explanations. The cat
received the Order of the Royal Shoe-string.

Next an elephant came and ravaged the crops. The king sent the cat to
attack him. "Alas! I can only do what I am able," again pleaded the cat,
but there was no moving the king. While the cat was coming, the elephant
fell into a pit and was killed.

"You have done as I knew you would," said the king once more; and the
cat received the Order of the Royal Penknife, and the care of the Royal
Shoe-brush.

A great army marched to subdue the kingdom. The king gave himself no
uneasiness. "Have we not the cat here?" he asked. "My dear, go and put
these troublesome fellows to flight."

"Alas! your majesty," said the unfortunate cat, "I can but do as I am
able, and luck will turn at last;" but the king was stubborn as ever.
And while the cat was coming, a band of the enemy fell upon him and
destroyed him; and they overthrew all the kingdom. The king was taken
prisoner and compelled to feed cats all his life. "That ungrateful cat!"
he continually exclaimed.

* * * * *

"And do you call that a fable?" asked King Jollimon. "I should have let
you tell the moral, that there might have been some good to it. Come,
you fellow," he said to the crooked-mouthed man, "speak quickly. I long
to hear another tale, that I may forget this."

And this tale was that of

HANS AND PETER.

Hans and Peter met one fine morning on the way to market. Hans was large
and stout; the world always went easily with him;