l he saw most of was a hyena; and one day, when they were
taking a walk together, they picked up a beautiful green cloak, which
had evidently been dropped by some one riding across the plain on a
camel. Of course each wanted to have it, and they almost quarrelled over
the matter; but at length it was settled that the hyena should wear the
cloak by day and the jackal by night. After a little while, however, the
jackal became discontented with this arrangement, declaring that none of
his friends, who were quite different from those of the hyena, could see
the splendour of the mantle, and that it was only fair that he should
sometimes be allowed to wear it by day. To this the hyena would by no
means consent, and they were on the eve of a quarrel when the hyena
proposed that they should ask the lion to judge between them. The jackal
agreed to this, and the hyena wrapped the cloak about him, and they both
trotted off to the lion's den.

The jackal, who was fond of talking, at once told the story; and when it
was finished the lion turned to the hyena and asked if it was true.

'Quite true, your majesty,' answered the hyena.

'Then lay the cloak on the ground at my feet,' said the lion, 'and I
will give my judgment.' So the mantle was spread upon the red earth, the
hyena and the jackal standing on each side of it.

There was silence for a few moments, and then the lion sat up, looking
very great and wise.

'My judgment is that the garment shall belong wholly to whoever first
rings the bell of the nearest mosque at dawn to-morrow. Now go; for much
business awaits me!'

All that night the hyena sat up, fearing lest the jackal should reach
the bell before him, for the mosque was close at hand. With the first
streak of dawn he bounded away to the bell, just as the jackal, who had
slept soundly all night, was rising to his feet.

'Good luck to you,' cried the jackal. And throwing the cloak over his
back he darted away across the plain, and was seen no more by his friend
the hyena.

After running several miles the jackal thought he was safe from pursuit,
and seeing a lion and another hyena talking together, he strolled up to
join them.

'Good morning,' he said; 'may I ask what is the matter? You seem very
serious about something.'

'Pray sit down,' answered the lion. 'We were wondering in which
direction we should go to find the best dinner. The hyena wishes to go
to the forest, and I to the mountains. What do you say?'