he King. He did not perceive the trick, and died on the spot. The
Arab went to the gate of the city and said to the inhabitants: "I am your
King. You are in my power. He who will not accept my religion, I will cut
off his head." They all embraced Islamism and practised fasting and prayer.

* * * * *

THE LION, THE JACKAL, AND THE MAN

In times past, when the animals spoke, there existed, they say, a laborer
who owned a pair of oxen, with which he worked. It was his custom to start
out with them early in the morning, and in the evening he returned with one
ox. The next day he bought another and went to the fallow land, but the
lion came and took one ox from him and left him only one. He was in
despair, seeking someone to advise him, when he met the jackal and told him
what had taken place between him and the lion. The jackal demanded:

"What will you give me if I deliver you from the lion?"

"Whatever you wish I will give it to you."

"Give me a fat lamb," answered the jackal. "You will follow my advice.
To-morrow when the lion comes, I will be there. I will arrive on that hill
on the other side. You will bring your axe very well sharpened and when I
say to you, 'What is that which I see with you now?' you must answer, 'It
is an ass which I have taken with me to carry barley.' I will say to you,
'I am looking for the lion, and not for an ass,' Then he will ask you, 'Who
is speaking to you?' Answer him, 'It is the nems!' He will say to you,
'Hide me, for I am afraid of him,' When I ask you, 'Who is that stretched
there before you?' answer, 'It is a beaver,' I will say, 'Take your axe and
strike, to know if it be not the lion,' You will take your axe and you will
strike the lion hard between the eyes. Then I will continue: 'I have not
heard very well. Strike him again once more until he shall really be
dead,'" The next day he came to him as before to eat an ox. When the jackal
saw him he called his friend and said, "Who is that with you?"

"It is a beaver which is before me."

The jackal answered: "Where is the lion? I am looking for him."

"Who is talking to you?" asked the lion, of the laborer.

"The 'nems.'"

"Hide me," cried the lion, "for I fear him."

The laborer said to him, "Stretch yourself out before me, shut your eyes,
and don't move." The lion stretched out before him, shut his eyes, and held
his breath.

The peasant said to the jackal, "I have not seen the lion p