AndtheEldestMagiciansaid，’Howwisearelittlechildrenwhoseeandaresilent!Whatwasthebeastlike？’
　　Andthelittlegirl—daughtersaid，’Hewasroundandhewasflat；
　　andhiseyesgrewuponstalks；andhewalkedsidewayslikethis；
　　andhewascoveredwithstrongarmouruponhisback。’
　　AndtheEldestMagiciansaid，’Howwisearelittlechildrenwhospeaktruth!NowIknowwherePauAmmawent。Givemethepaddle!’
　　Sohetookthepaddle；buttherewasnoneedtopaddle，forthewaterflowedsteadilypastalltheislandstilltheycametotheplacecalledPusatTasek——theHeartoftheSea——wherethegreathollowisthatleadsdowntotheheartoftheworld，andinthathollowgrowstheWonderfulTree，PauhJanggi，thatbearsthemagictwinnuts。ThentheEldestMagicianslidhisarmuptotheshoulderthroughthedeepwarmwater，andundertherootsoftheWonderfulTreehetouchedthebroadbackofPauAmmatheCrab。AndPauAmmasettleddownatthetouch，andalltheSearoseupaswaterrisesinabasinwhenyouputyourhandintoit。
　　’Ah!’saidtheEldestMagician。’NowIknowwhohasbeenplayingwiththeSea；’andhecalledout，’Whatareyoudoing，PauAmma？’
　　AndPauAmma，deepdownbelow，answered，’OnceadayandonceanightIgoouttolookformyfood。OnceadayandonceanightI
　　return。Leavemealone。’
　　ThentheEldestMagiciansaid，’Listen，PauAmma。WhenyougooutfromyourcavethewatersoftheSeapourdownintoPusatTasek，andallthebeachesofalltheislandsareleftbare，andthelittlefishdie，andRajaMoyangKaban，theKingoftheElephants，hislegsaremademuddy。WhenyoucomebackandsitinPusatTasek，thewatersoftheSearise，andhalfthelittleislandsaredrowned，andtheMan’shouseisflooded，andRajaAbdullah，theKingoftheCrocodiles，hismouthisfilledwiththesaltwater。
　　ThenPauAmma，deepdownbelow，laughedandsaid，’IdidnotknowIwassoimportant。HenceforwardIwillgooutseventimesaday，andthewatersshallneverbestill。’
　　AndtheEldestMagiciansaid，’Icannotmakeyouplaytheplayyouweremeanttoplay，PauAmma，becauseyouescapedmeattheVeryBeginning；butifyouarenotafraid，comeupandwewilltalkaboutit。’
　　’Iamnotafraid，’saidPauAmma，andherosetothetopoftheseainthemoonlight。TherewasnobodyintheworldsobigasPauAmma——forhewastheKingCrabofallCrabs。NotacommonCrab，butaKingCrab。OnesideofhisgreatshelltouchedthebeachatSarawak；theothertouchedthebeachatPahang；andhewastallerthanthesmokeofthreevolcanoes!AsheroseupthroughthebranchesoftheWonderfulTreehetoreoffoneofthegreattwinfruits——themagicdoublekernellednutsthatmakepeopleyoung，——
　　andthelittlegirl—daughtersawitbobbingalongsidethecanoe，andpulleditinandbegantopickoutthesofteyesofitwithherlittlegoldenscissors。
　　’Now，’saidtheMagician，’makeaMagic，PauAmma，toshowthatyouarereallyimportant。’
　　PauAmmarolledhiseyesandwavedhislegs，buthecouldonlystiruptheSea，because，thoughhewasaKingCrab，hewasnothingmorethanaCrab，andtheEldestMagicianlaughed。
　　’Youarenotsoimportantafterall，PauAmma，’hesaid。’Now，letmetry，’andhemadeaMagicwithhislefthand——withjustthelittlefingerofhislefthand——and——loandbehold，BestBeloved，PauAmma’shard，blue—green—blackshellfelloffhimasahuskfallsoffacocoa—nut，andPauAmmawasleftallsoft——softasthelittlecrabsthatyousometimesfindonthebeach，BestBeloved。
　　’Indeed，youareveryimportant，’saidtheEldestMagician。
　　’ShallIasktheManheretocutyouwithkris？ShallIsendforRajaMoyangKaban，theKingoftheElephants，topierceyouwithhistusks，orshallIcallRajaAbdullah，theKingoftheCrocodiles，tobiteyou？’
　　AndPauAmmasaid，’Iamashamed!GivemebackmyhardshellandletmegobacktoPusatTasek，andIwillonlystiroutonceadayandonceanighttogetmyfood。’
　　AndtheEldestMagiciansaid，’No，PauAmma，Iwillnotgiveyoubackyourshell，foryouwillgrowbiggerandprouderandstronger，andperhapsyouwillforgetyourpromise，andyouwillplaywiththeSeaoncemore。
　　ThenPauAmmasaid，’WhatshallIdo？IamsobigthatIcanonlyhideinPusatTasek，andifIgoanywhereelse，allsoftasIamnow，thesharksandthedogfishwilleatme。AndifIgotoPusatTasek，allsoftasIamnow，thoughImaybesafe，Icanneverstirouttogetmyfood，andsoIshalldie。’Thenhewavedhislegsandlamented。
　　’Listen，PauAmma，’saidtheEldestMagician。’Icannotmakeyouplaytheplayyouweremeanttoplay，becauseyouescapedmeattheVeryBeginning；butifyouchoose，IcanmakeeverystoneandeveryholeandeverybunchofweedinalltheseasasafePusatTasekforyouandyourchildrenforalways。’
　　ThenPauAmmasaid，’Thatisgood，butIdonotchooseyet。Look!
　　thereisthatManwhotalkedtoyouattheVeryBeginning。IfhehadnottakenupyourattentionIshouldnothavegrowntiredofwaitingandrunaway，andallthiswouldneverhavehappened。
　　Whatwillhedoforme？’
　　AndtheMansaid，’Ifyouchoose，IwillmakeaMagic，sothatboththedeepwaterandthedrygroundwillbeahomeforyouandyourchildren——sothatyoushallbeabletohidebothonthelandandinthesea。’
　　AndPauAmmasaid，’Idonotchooseyet。Look!thereisthatgirlwhosawmerunningawayattheVeryBeginning。Ifshehadspokenthen，theEldestMagicianwouldhavecalledmeback，andallthiswouldneverhavehappened。Whatwillshedoforme？’
　　Andthelittlegirl—daughtersaid，’ThisisagoodnutthatIameating。Ifyouchoose，IwillmakeaMagicandIwillgiveyouthispairofscissors，verysharpandstrong，sothatyouandyourchildrencaneatcocoa—nutslikethisalldaylongwhenyoucomeupfromtheSeatotheland；oryoucandigaPusatTasekforyourselfwiththescissorsthatbelongtoyouwhenthereisnostoneorholenearby；andwhentheearthistoohard，bythehelpofthesesamescissorsyoucanrunupatree。’
　　AndPauAmmasaid，’Idonotchooseyet，for，allsoftasIam，thesegiftswouldnothelpme。Givemebackmyshell，OEldestMagician，andthenIwillplayyourplay。’
　　AndtheEldestMagiciansaid，’Iwillgiveitback，PauAmma，forelevenmonthsoftheyear；butonthetwelfthmonthofeveryyearitshallgrowsoftagain，toremindyouandallyourchildrenthatIcanmakemagics，andtokeepyouhumble，PauAmma；forI
　　seethatifyoucanrunbothunderthewaterandonland，youwillgrowtoobold；andifyoucanclimbtreesandcracknutsanddigholeswithyourscissors，youwillgrowtoogreedy，PauAmma。’
　　ThenPauAmmathoughtalittleandsaid，’Ihavemademychoice。
　　Iwilltakeallthegifts。’
　　ThentheEldestMagicianmadeaMagicwiththerighthand，withallfivefingersofhisrighthand，andloandbehold，BestBeloved，PauAmmagrewsmallerandsmallerandsmaller，tillatlasttherewasonlyalittlegreencrabswimminginthewateralongsidethecanoe，cryinginaverysmallvoice，’Givemethescissors!’
　　Andthegirl—daughterpickedhimuponthepalmofherlittlebrownhand，andsathiminthebottomofthecanoeandgavehimherscissors，andhewavedtheminhislittlearms，andopenedthemandshutthemandsnappedthem，andsaid，’Icaneatnuts。I
　　cancrackshells。Icandigholes。Icanclimbtrees。Icanbreatheinthedryair，andIcanfindasafePusatTasekundereverystone。IdidnotknowIwassoimportant。Kun？’（Isthisright？）
　　’Payah—kun，’saidtheEldestMagician，andhelaughedandgavehimhisblessing；andlittlePauAmmascuttledoverthesideofthecanoeintothewater；andhewassotinythathecouldhavehiddenundertheshadowofadryleafonlandorofadeadshellatthebottomofthesea。
　　’Wasthatwelldone？’saidtheEldestMagician。
　　’Yes，’saidtheMan。’ButnowwemustgobacktoPerak，andthatisawearywaytopaddle。IfwehadwaitedtillPauAmmahadgoneoutofPusatTasekandcomehome，thewaterwouldhavecarriedustherebyitself。’
　　’Youarelazy，’saidtheEldestMagician。’Soyourchildrenshallbelazy。Theyshallbethelaziestpeopleintheworld。TheyshallbecalledtheMalazy——thelazypeople；’andhehelduphisfingertotheMoonandsaid，’OFisherman，hereistheMantoolazytorowhome。Pullhiscanoehomewithyourline，Fisherman。’
　　’No，’saidtheMan。’IfIamtobelazyallmydays，lettheSeaworkformetwiceadayforever。Thatwillsavepaddling。’
　　AndtheEldestMagicianlaughedandsaid，’Payahkun’（Thatisright）。
　　AndtheRatoftheMoonstoppedbitingtheline；andtheFishermanlethislinedowntillittouchedtheSea，andhepulledthewholedeepSeaalong，pasttheIslandofBintang，pastSingapore，pastMalacca，pastSelangor，tillthecanoewhirledintothemouthofthePerakRiveragain。Kun？’saidtheFishermanoftheMoon。
　　’Payahkun，’saidtheEldestMagician。’SeenowthatyoupulltheSeatwiceadayandtwiceanightforever，sothattheMalazyfishermenmaybesavedpaddling。Butbecarefulnottodoittoohard，orIshallmakeamagiconyouasIdidtoPauAmma。’
　　ThentheyallwentupthePerakRiverandwenttobed，BestBeloved。
　　Nowlistenandattend!
　　FromthatdaytothistheMoonhasalwayspulledtheseaupanddownandmadewhatwecallthetides。SometimestheFisheroftheSeapullsalittletoohard，andthenwegetspringtides；andsometimeshepullsalittletoosoftly，andthenwegetwhatarecalledneap—tides；butnearlyalwaysheiscareful，becauseoftheEldestMagician。
　　AndPauAmma？Youcanseewhenyougotothebeach，howallPauAmma’sbabiesmakelittlePusatTaseksforthemselvesundereverystoneandbunchofweedonthesands；youcanseethemwavingtheirlittlescissors；andinsomepartsoftheworldtheytrulyliveonthedrylandandrunupthepalmtreesandeatcocoa—nuts，exactlyasthegirl—daughterpromised。ButonceayearallPauAmmasmustshakeofftheirhardarmourandbesoft—toremindthemofwhattheEldestMagiciancoulddo。Andsoitisn’tfairtokillorhuntPauAmma’sbabiesjustbecauseoldPauAmmawasstupidlyrudeaverylongtimeago。
　　Ohyes!AndPauAmma’sbabieshatebeingtakenoutoftheirlittlePusatTaseksandbroughthomeinpickle—bottles。Thatiswhytheynipyouwiththeirscissors，anditservesyouright!
　　CHINA—GOINGP’sand0’sPassPauAmma’splaygroundclose，AndhisPusatTasekliesNearthetrackofmostB。I。’s。
　　U。Y。K。andN。D。L。
　　KnowPauAmma’shomeaswellAsthefisheroftheSeaknows’Bens，’M。M。’s，andRubattinos。
　　But（andthisisratherqueer）
　　A。T。L。’scannotcomehere；
　　O。andO。andD。O。A。
　　Mustgoroundanotherway。
　　Orient，Anchor，Bibby，Hall，Nevergothatwayatall。
　　U。C。S。wouldhaveafitIfitfounditselfonit。
　　Andif’Beavers’tooktheircargoesToPenanginsteadofLagos，OrafatShaw—SavillborePassengerstoSingapore，OraWhiteStarweretotryaLittletriptoSourabaya，OraB。S。A。wentonPastNataltoCheribon，ThengreatMr。LloydswouldcomeWithawireanddragthemhome!
　　You’llknowwhatmyriddlemeansWhenyou’veeatenmangosteens。
　　Orifyoucan’twaittillthen，askthemtoletyouhavetheoutsidepageoftheTimes；turnovertopage2whereitismarked’Shipping’onthetoplefthand；thentaketheAtlas（andthatisthefinestpicture—bookintheworld）andseehowthenamesoftheplacesthatthesteamersgotofitintothenamesoftheplacesonthemap。Anysteamer—kiddyoughttobeabletodothat；
　　butifyoucan’tread，asksomeonetoshowityou。
　　THECATTHATWALKEDBYHIMSELF
　　HEARandattendandlisten；forthisbefellandbehappenedandbecameandwas，OmyBestBeloved，whentheTameanimalswerewild。TheDogwaswild，andtheHorsewaswild，andtheCowwaswild，andtheSheepwaswild，andthePigwaswild——aswildaswildcouldbe——andtheywalkedintheWetWildWoodsbytheirwildlones。ButthewildestofallthewildanimalswastheCat。Hewalkedbyhimself，andallplaceswerealiketohim。
　　OfcoursetheManwaswildtoo。Hewasdreadfullywild。Hedidn’tevenbegintobetametillhemettheWoman，andshetoldhimthatshedidnotlikelivinginhiswildways。ShepickedoutanicedryCave，insteadofaheapofwetleaves，toliedownin；
　　andshestrewedcleansandonthefloor；andshelitanicefireofwoodatthebackoftheCave；andshehungadriedwild—horseskin，tail—down，acrosstheopeningoftheCave；andshesaid，’Wipeyoufeet，dear，whenyoucomein，andnowwe’llkeephouse。’
　　Thatnight，BestBeloved，theyatewildsheeproastedonthehotstones，andflavouredwithwildgarlicandwildpepper；andwildduckstuffedwithwildriceandwildfenugreekandwildcoriander；andmarrow—bonesofwildoxen；andwildcherries，andwildgrenadillas。ThentheManwenttosleepinfrontofthefireeversohappy；buttheWomansatup，combingherhair。Shetooktheboneoftheshoulderofmutton——thebigfatblade—bone——andshelookedatthewonderfulmarksonit，andshethrewmorewoodonthefire，andshemadeaMagic。ShemadetheFirstSingingMagicintheworld。
　　OutintheWetWildWoodsallthewildanimalsgatheredtogetherwheretheycouldseethelightofthefirealongwayoff，andtheywonderedwhatitmeant。
　　ThenWildHorsestampedwithhiswildfootandsaid，’OmyFriendsandOmyEnemies，whyhavetheManandtheWomanmadethatgreatlightinthatgreatCave，andwhatharmwillitdous？’
　　WildDoglifteduphiswildnoseandsmelledthesmellofroastmutton，andsaid，’Iwillgoupandseeandlook，andsay；forI
　　thinkitisgood。Cat，comewithme。’
　　’Nenni!’saidtheCat。’IamtheCatwhowalksbyhimself，andallplacesarealiketome。Iwillnotcome。’
　　’Thenwecanneverbefriendsagain，’saidWildDog，andhetrottedofftotheCave。ButwhenhehadgonealittlewaytheCatsaidtohimself，’Allplacesarealiketome。WhyshouldI
　　notgotooandseeandlookandcomeawayatmyownliking。’SoheslippedafterWildDogsoftly，verysoftly，andhidhimselfwherehecouldheareverything。
　　WhenWildDogreachedthemouthoftheCaveheliftedupthedriedhorse—skinwithhisnoseandsniffedthebeautifulsmelloftheroastmutton，andtheWoman，lookingattheblade—bone，heardhim，andlaughed，andsaid，’Herecomesthefirst。WildThingoutoftheWildWoods，whatdoyouwant？’
　　WildDogsaid，’OmyEnemyandWifeofmyEnemy，whatisthisthatsmellssogoodintheWildWoods？’
　　ThentheWomanpickeduparoastedmutton—boneandthrewittoWildDog，andsaid，’WildThingoutoftheWildWoods，tasteandtry。’WildDoggnawedthebone，anditwasmoredeliciousthananythinghehadevertasted，andhesaid，’OmyEnemyandWifeofmyEnemy，givemeanother。’
　　TheWomansaid，’WildThingoutoftheWildWoods，helpmyMantohuntthroughthedayandguardthisCaveatnight，andIwillgiveyouasmanyroastbonesasyouneed。’
　　’Ah!’saidtheCat，listening。’ThisisaverywiseWoman，butsheisnotsowiseasIam。’
　　WildDogcrawledintotheCaveandlaidhisheadontheWoman’slap，andsaid，’OmyFriendandWifeofmyFriend，IwillhelpYourMantohuntthroughtheday，andatnightIwillguardyourCave。’
　　’Ah!’saidtheCat，listening。’ThatisaveryfoolishDog。’AndhewentbackthroughtheWetWildWoodswavinghiswildtail，andwalkingbyhiswildlone。Buthenevertoldanybody。
　　WhentheManwakeduphesaid，’WhatisWildDogdoinghere？’AndtheWomansaid，’HisnameisnotWildDoganymore，buttheFirstFriend，becausehewillbeourfriendforalwaysandalwaysandalways。Takehimwithyouwhenyougohunting。’
　　NextnighttheWomancutgreatgreenarmfulsoffreshgrassfromthewater—meadows，anddrieditbeforethefire，sothatitsmeltlikenew—mownhay，andshesatatthemouthoftheCaveandplaitedahalteroutofhorse—hide，andshelookedattheshoulderofmutton—bone——atthebigbroadblade—bone——andshemadeaMagic。ShemadetheSecondSingingMagicintheworld。
　　OutintheWildWoodsallthewildanimalswonderedwhathadhappenedtoWildDog，andatlastWildHorsestampedwithhisfootandsaid，’IwillgoandseeandsaywhyWildDoghasnotreturned。Cat，comewithme。’
　　’Nenni!’saidtheCat。’IamtheCatwhowalksbyhimself，andallplacesarealiketome。Iwillnotcome。’ButallthesamehefollowedWildHorsesoftly，verysoftly，andhidhimselfwherehecouldheareverything。
　　WhentheWomanheardWildHorsetrippingandstumblingonhislongmane，shelaughedandsaid，’Herecomesthesecond。WildThingoutoftheWildWoodswhatdoyouwant？’
　　WildHorsesaid，’OmyEnemyandWifeofmyEnemy，whereisWildDog？’
　　TheWomanlaughed，andpickeduptheblade—boneandlookedatit，andsaid，’WildThingoutoftheWildWoods，youdidnotcomehereforWildDog，butforthesakeofthisgoodgrass。’
　　AndWildHorse，trippingandstumblingonhislongmane，said，’Thatistrue；giveitmetoeat。’
　　TheWomansaid，’WildThingoutoftheWildWoods，bendyourwildheadandwearwhatIgiveyou，andyoushalleatthewonderfulgrassthreetimesaday。’
　　’Ah，’saidtheCat，listening，’thisisacleverWoman，butsheisnotsocleverasIam。’WildHorsebenthiswildhead，andtheWomanslippedtheplaitedhidehalteroverit，andWildHorsebreathedontheWoman’sfeetandsaid，’OmyMistress，andWifeofmyMaster，Iwillbeyourservantforthesakeofthewonderfulgrass。’
　　’Ah，’saidtheCat，listening，’thatisaveryfoolishHorse。’
　　AndhewentbackthroughtheWetWildWoods，wavinghiswildtailandwalkingbyhiswildlone。Buthenevertoldanybody。
　　WhentheManandtheDogcamebackfromhunting，theMansaid，’WhatisWildHorsedoinghere？’AndtheWomansaid，’HisnameisnotWildHorseanymore，buttheFirstServant，becausehewillcarryusfromplacetoplaceforalwaysandalwaysandalways。Rideonhisbackwhenyougohunting。
　　Nextday，holdingherwildheadhighthatherwildhornsshouldnotcatchinthewildtrees，WildCowcameuptotheCave，andtheCatfollowed，andhidhimselfjustthesameasbefore；andeverythinghappenedjustthesameasbefore；andtheCatsaidthesamethingsasbefore，andwhenWildCowhadpromisedtogivehermilktotheWomaneverydayinexchangeforthewonderfulgrass，theCatwentbackthroughtheWetWildWoodswavinghiswildtailandwalkingbyhiswildlone，justthesameasbefore。Buthenevertoldanybody。AndwhentheManandtheHorseandtheDogcamehomefromhuntingandaskedthesamequestionssameasbefore，theWomansaid，’HernameisnotWildCowanymore，buttheGiverofGoodFood。Shewillgiveusthewarmwhitemilkforalwaysandalwaysandalways，andIwilltakecareofherwhileyouandtheFirstFriendandtheFirstServantgohunting。
　　NextdaytheCatwaitedtoseeifanyotherWildthingwouldgouptotheCave，butnoonemovedintheWetWildWoods，sotheCatwalkedtherebyhimself；andhesawtheWomanmilkingtheCow，andhesawthelightofthefireintheCave，andhesmeltthesmellofthewarmwhitemilk。
　　Catsaid，’OmyEnemyandWifeofmyEnemy，wheredidWildCowgo？’
　　TheWomanlaughedandsaid，’WildThingoutoftheWildWoods，gobacktotheWoodsagain，forIhavebraidedupmyhair，andI
　　haveputawaythemagicblade—bone，andwehavenomoreneedofeitherfriendsorservantsinourCave。
　　Catsaid，’Iamnotafriend，andIamnotaservant。IamtheCatwhowalksbyhimself，andIwishtocomeintoyourcave。’
　　Womansaid，’ThenwhydidyounotcomewithFirstFriendonthefirstnight？’
　　Catgrewveryangryandsaid，’HasWildDogtoldtalesofme？’
　　ThentheWomanlaughedandsaid，’YouaretheCatwhowalksbyhimself，andallplacesarealiketoyou。Yourareneitherafriendnoraservant。Youhavesaidityourself。Goawayandwalkbyyourselfinallplacesalike。’
　　ThenCatpretendedtobesorryandsaid，’MustInevercomeintotheCave？MustIneversitbythewarmfire？MustIneverdrinkthewarmwhitemilk？Youareverywiseandverybeautiful。YoushouldnotbecrueleventoaCat。’
　　Womansaid，’IknewIwaswise，butIdidnotknowIwasbeautiful。SoIwillmakeabargainwithyou。IfeverIsayonewordinyourpraiseyoumaycomeintotheCave。’
　　’Andifyousaytwowordsinmypraise？’saidtheCat。
　　’Inevershall，’saidtheWoman，’butifIsaytwowordsinyourpraise，youmaysitbythefireintheCave。’
　　’Andifyousaythreewords？’saidtheCat。
　　’Inevershall，’saidtheWoman，’butifIsaythreewordsinyourpraise，youmaydrinkthewarmwhitemilkthreetimesadayforalwaysandalwaysandalways。’
　　ThentheCatarchedhisbackandsaid，’NowlettheCurtainatthemouthoftheCave，andtheFireatthebackoftheCave，andtheMilk—potsthatstandbesidetheFire，rememberwhatmyEnemyandtheWifeofmyEnemyhassaid。’AndhewentawaythroughtheWetWildWoodswavinghiswildtailandwalkingbyhiswildlone。
　　ThatnightwhentheManandtheHorseandtheDogcamehomefromhunting，theWomandidnottellthemofthebargainthatshehadmadewiththeCat，becauseshewasafraidthattheymightnotlikeit。
　　CatwentfarandfarawayandhidhimselfintheWetWildWoodsbyhiswildloneforalongtimetilltheWomanforgotallabouthim。OnlytheBat——thelittleupside—downBat——thathunginsidetheCave，knewwhereCathid；andeveryeveningBatwouldflytoCatwithnewsofwhatwashappening。
　　OneeveningBatsaid，’ThereisaBabyintheCave。Heisnewandpinkandfatandsmall，andtheWomanisveryfondofhim。’
　　’Ah，’saidtheCat，listening，’butwhatistheBabyfondof？’
　　’Heisfondofthingsthataresoftandtickle，’saidtheBat。
　　’Heisfondofwarmthingstoholdinhisarmswhenhegoestosleep。Heisfondofbeingplayedwith。Heisfondofallthosethings。’
　　’Ah，’saidtheCat，listening，’thenmytimehascome。’
　　NextnightCatwalkedthroughtheWetWildWoodsandhidveryneartheCavetillmorning—time，andManandDogandHorsewenthunting。TheWomanwasbusycookingthatmorning，andtheBabycriedandinterrupted。SoshecarriedhimoutsidetheCaveandgavehimahandfulofpebblestoplaywith。ButstilltheBabycried。
　　ThentheCatputouthispaddypawandpattedtheBabyonthecheek，anditcooed；andtheCatrubbedagainstitsfatkneesandtickleditunderitsfatchinwithhistail。AndtheBabylaughed；andtheWomanheardhimandsmiled。
　　ThentheBat——thelittleupside—downbat——thathunginthemouthoftheCavesaid，’OmyHostessandWifeofmyHostandMotherofmyHost’sSon，aWildThingfromtheWildWoodsismostbeautifullyplayingwithyourBaby。’
　　’AblessingonthatWildThingwhoeverhemaybe，’saidtheWoman，straighteningherback，’forIwasabusywomanthismorningandhehasdonemeaservice。’
　　Thatveryminuteandsecond，BestBeloved，thedriedhorse—skinCurtainthatwasstretchedtail—downatthemouthoftheCavefelldown——whoosh!——becauseitrememberedthebargainshehadmadewiththeCat，andwhentheWomanwenttopickitup—
　　—loandbehold!——theCatwassittingquitecomfyinsidetheCave。
　　’OmyEnemyandWifeofmyEnemyandMotherofmyEnemy，’saidtheCat，’itisI：foryouhavespokenawordinmypraise，andnowIcansitwithintheCaveforalwaysandalwaysandalways。
　　ButstillIamtheCatwhowalksbyhimself，andallplacesarealiketome。’
　　TheWomanwasveryangry，andshutherlipstightandtookupherspinning—wheelandbegantospin。ButtheBabycriedbecausetheCathadgoneaway，andtheWomancouldnothushit，foritstruggledandkickedandgrewblackintheface。
　　’OmyEnemyandWifeofmyEnemyandMotherofmyEnemy，’saidtheCat，’takeastrandofthewirethatyouarespinningandtieittoyourspinning—whorlanddragitalongthefloor，andIwillshowyouamagicthatshallmakeyourBabylaughasloudlyasheisnowcrying。’
　　’Iwilldoso，’saidtheWoman，’becauseIamatmywits’end；
　　butIwillnotthankyouforit。’
　　Shetiedthethreadtothelittleclayspindlewhorlanddrewitacrossthefloor，andtheCatranafteritandpatteditwithhispawsandrolledheadoverheels，andtosseditbackwardoverhisshoulderandchaseditbetweenhishind—legsandpretendedtoloseit，andpounceddownuponitagain，tilltheBabylaughedasloudlyasithadbeencrying，andscrambledaftertheCatandfrolickedallovertheCavetillitgrewtiredandsettleddowntosleepwiththeCatinitsarms。
　　’Now，’saidtheCat，’IwillsingtheBabyasongthatshallkeephimasleepforanhour。Andhebegantopurr，loudandlow，lowandloud，tilltheBabyfellfastasleep。TheWomansmiledasshelookeddownuponthetwoofthemandsaid，’Thatwaswonderfullydone。Noquestionbutyouareveryclever，OCat。’
　　Thatveryminuteandsecond，BestBeloved，thesmokeofthefireatthebackoftheCavecamedownincloudsfromtheroof——puff!—
　　—becauseitrememberedthebargainshehadmadewiththeCat，andwhenithadclearedaway——loandbehold!——theCatwassittingquitecomfyclosetothefire。
　　’OmyEnemyandWifeofmyEnemyandMotherofMyEnemy，’saidtheCat，’itisI，foryouhavespokenasecondwordinmypraise，andnowIcansitbythewarmfireatthebackoftheCaveforalwaysandalwaysandalways。ButstillIamtheCatwhowalksbyhimself，andallplacesarealiketome。’
　　ThentheWomanwasveryveryangry，andletdownherhairandputmorewoodonthefireandbroughtoutthebroadblade—boneoftheshoulderofmuttonandbegantomakeaMagicthatshouldpreventherfromsayingathirdwordinpraiseoftheCat。ItwasnotaSingingMagic，BestBeloved，itwasaStillMagic；andbyandbytheCavegrewsostillthatalittlewee—weemousecreptoutofacornerandranacrossthefloor。
　　’OmyEnemyandWifeofmyEnemyandMotherofmyEnemy，’saidtheCat，’isthatlittlemousepartofyourmagic？’
　　’Ouh!Chee!Noindeed!’saidtheWoman，andshedroppedtheblade—boneandjumpeduponthefootstoolinfrontofthefireandbraidedupherhairveryquickforfearthatthemouseshouldrunupit。
　　’Ah，’saidtheCat，watching，’thenthemousewilldomenoharmifIeatit？’
　　’No，’saidtheWoman，braidingupherhair，’eatitquicklyandI
　　willeverbegratefultoyou。’
　　Catmadeonejumpandcaughtthelittlemouse，andtheWomansaid，’Ahundredthanks。EventheFirstFriendisnotquickenoughtocatchlittlemiceasyouhavedone。Youmustbeverywise。’
　　Thatverymomentandsecond，OBestBeloved，theMilk—potthatstoodbythefirecrackedintwopieces——ffft——becauseitrememberedthebargainshehadmadewiththeCat，andwhentheWomanjumpeddownfromthefootstool——loandbehold!——theCatwaslappingupthewarmwhitemilkthatlayinoneofthebrokenpieces。
　　’OmyEnemyandWifeofmyEnemyandMotherofmyEnemy，saidtheCat，’itisI；foryouhavespokenthreewordsinmypraise，andnowIcandrinkthewarmwhitemilkthreetimesadayforalwaysandalwaysandalways。ButstillIamtheCatwhowalksbyhimself，andallplacesarealiketome。’
　　ThentheWomanlaughedandsettheCatabowlofthewarmwhitemilkandsaid，’OCat，youareascleverasaman，butrememberthatyourbargainwasnotmadewiththeManortheDog，andIdonotknowwhattheywilldowhentheycomehome。’
　　’Whatisthattome？’saidtheCat。’IfIhavemyplaceintheCavebythefireandmywarmwhitemilkthreetimesadayIdonotcarewhattheManortheDogcando。’
　　ThateveningwhentheManandtheDogcameintotheCave，theWomantoldthemallthestoryofthebargainwhiletheCatsatbythefireandsmiled。ThentheMansaid，’Yes，buthehasnotmadeabargainwithmeorwithallproperMenafterme。’Thenhetookoffhistwoleatherbootsandhetookuphislittlestoneaxe（thatmakesthree）andhefetchedapieceofwoodandahatchet（thatisfivealtogether），andhesetthemoutinarowandhesaid，’Nowwewillmakeourbargain。IfyoudonotcatchmicewhenyouareintheCaveforalwaysandalwaysandalways，IwillthrowthesefivethingsatyouwheneverIseeyou，andsoshallallproperMendoafterme。’
　　’Ah，’saidtheWoman，listening，’thisisaverycleverCat，butheisnotsocleverasmyMan。’
　　TheCatcountedthefivethings（andtheylookedveryknobby）andhesaid，’IwillcatchmicewhenIamintheCaveforalwaysandalwaysandalways；butstillIamtheCatwhowalksbyhimself，andallplacesarealiketome。’
　　’NotwhenIamnear，’saidtheMan。’IfyouhadnotsaidthatlastIwouldhaveputallthesethingsawayforalwaysandalwaysandalways；butIamnowgoingtothrowmytwobootsandmylittlestoneaxe（thatmakesthree）atyouwheneverImeetyou。
　　AndsoshallallproperMendoafterme!’
　　ThentheDogsaid，’Waitaminute。HehasnotmadeabargainwithmeorwithallproperDogsafterme。’Andheshowedhisteethandsaid，’IfyouarenotkindtotheBabywhileIamintheCaveforalwaysandalwaysandalways，IwillhuntyoutillIcatchyou，andwhenIcatchyouIwillbiteyou。AndsoshallallproperDogsdoafterme。’
　　’Ah，’saidtheWoman，listening，’thisisaverycleverCat，butheisnotsocleverastheDog。’
　　CatcountedtheDog’steeth（andtheylookedverypointed）andhesaid，’IwillbekindtotheBabywhileIamintheCave，aslongashedoesnotpullmytailtoohard，foralwaysandalwaysandalways。ButstillIamtheCatthatwalksbyhimself，andallplacesarealiketome。’
　　’NotwhenIamnear，’saidtheDog。’IfyouhadnotsaidthatlastIwouldhaveshutmymouthforalwaysandalwaysandalways；
　　butnowIamgoingtohuntyouupatreewheneverImeetyou。AndsoshallallproperDogsdoafterme。’
　　ThentheManthrewhistwobootsandhislittlestoneaxe（thatmakesthree）attheCat，andtheCatranoutoftheCaveandtheDogchasedhimupatree；andfromthatdaytothis，BestBeloved，threeproperMenoutoffivewillalwaysthrowthingsataCatwhenevertheymeethim，andallproperDogswillchasehimupatree。ButtheCatkeepshissideofthebargaintoo。HewillkillmiceandhewillbekindtoBabieswhenheisinthehouse，justaslongastheydonotpullhistailtoohard。Butwhenhehasdonethat，andbetweentimes，andwhenthemoongetsupandnightcomes，heistheCatthatwalksbyhimself，andallplacesarealiketohim。ThenhegoesouttotheWetWildWoodsoruptheWetWildTreesorontheWetWildRoofs，wavinghiswildtailandwalkingbyhiswildlone。
　　PUSSYcansitbythefireandsing，Pussycanclimbatree，OrplaywithasillyoldcorkandstringTo’museherself，notme。
　　ButIlikeBinkiemydog，becauseHeLnowshowtobehave；
　　So，Binkie’sthesameastheFirstFriendwas，AndIamtheManintheCave。
　　Pussywillplayman—FridaytillIt’stimetowetherpawAndmakeherwalkonthewindow—sill（ForthefootprintCrusoesaw）；
　　Thenshefluffleshertailandmews，Andscratchesandwon’tattend。
　　ButBinkiewillplaywhateverIchoose，AndheismytrueFirstFriend。
　　PussywillrubmykneeswithherheadPretendingshelovesmehard；
　　ButtheveryminuteIgotomybedPussyrunsoutintheyard，Andthereshestaystillthemorning—light；
　　SoIknowitisonlypretend；
　　ButBinkie，hesnoresatmyfeetallnight，AndheismyFirstestFriend!
　　THEBUTTERFLYTHATSTAMPED
　　THIS，OmyBestBeloved，isastory——anewandawonderfulstory——astoryquitedifferentfromtheotherstories——astoryaboutTheMostWiseSovereignSuleiman—bin—Daoud——SolomontheSonofDavid。
　　Therearethreehundredandfifty—fivestoriesaboutSuleiman—
　　bin—Daoud；butthisisnotoneofthem。ItisnotthestoryoftheLapwingwhofoundtheWater；ortheHoopoewhoshadedSuleimanbin—Daoudfromtheheat。ItisnotthestoryoftheGlassPavement，ortheRubywiththeCrookedHole，ortheGoldBarsofBalkis。ItisthestoryoftheButterflythatStamped。
　　Nowattendalloveragainandlisten!
　　Suleiman—bin—Daoudwaswise。Heunderstoodwhatthebeastssaid，whatthebirdssaid，whatthefishessaid，andwhattheinsectssaid。Heunderstoodwhattherockssaiddeepundertheearthwhentheybowedintowardseachotherandgroaned；andheunderstoodwhatthetreessaidwhentheyrustledinthemiddleofthemorning。Heunderstoodeverything，fromthebishoponthebenchtothehyssoponthewall，andBalkis，hisHeadQueen，theMostBeautifulQueenBalkis，wasnearlyaswiseashewas。
　　Suleiman—bin—Daoudwasstrong。Uponthethirdfingeroftherighthandheworearing。Whenheturneditonce，AfritsandDjinnscameOutoftheearthtodowhateverhetoldthem。Whenheturnedittwice，Fairiescamedownfromtheskytodowhateverhetoldthem；andwhenheturneditthreetimes，theverygreatangelAzraeloftheSwordcamedressedasawater—carrier，andtoldhimthenewsofthethreeworlds，——Above——Below——andHere。
　　AndyetSuleiman—bin—Daoudwasnotproud。Heveryseldomshowedoff，andwhenhedidhewassorryforit。Oncehetriedtofeedalltheanimalsinalltheworldinoneday，butwhenthefoodwasreadyanAnimalcameoutofthedeepseaandateitupinthreemouthfuls。Suleiman—bin—Daoudwasverysurprisedandsaid，’OAnimal，whoareyou？’AndtheAnimalsaid，’OKing，liveforever!Iamthesmallestofthirtythousandbrothers，andourhomeisatthebottomofthesea。Weheardthatyouweregoingtofeedalltheanimalsinalltheworld，andmybrotherssentmetoaskwhendinnerwouldbeready。’Suleiman—bin—Daoudwasmoresurprisedthaneverandsaid，’OAnimal，youhaveeatenallthedinnerthatImadereadyforalltheanimalsintheworld。’AndtheAnimalsaid，’OKing，liveforever，butdoyoureallycallthatadinner？WhereIcomefromweeacheattwiceasmuchasthatbetweenmeals。’ThenSuleiman—bin—Daoudfellflatonhisfaceandsaid，’OAnimal!IgavethatdinnertoshowwhatagreatandrichkingIwas，andnotbecauseIreallywantedtobekindtotheanimals。NowIamashamed，anditservesmeright。
　　Suleiman—bin—Daoudwasareallytrulywiseman，BestBeloved。
　　Afterthatheneverforgotthatitwassillytoshowoff；andnowtherealstorypartofmystorybegins。
　　Hemarriedeversomanywifes。Hemarriedninehundredandninety—ninewives，besidestheMostBeautifulBalkis；andtheyalllivedinagreatgoldenpalaceinthemiddleofalovelygardenwithfountains。Hedidn’treallywantnine—hundredandninety—ninewives，butinthosedayseverybodymarriedeversomanywives，andofcoursetheKinghadtomarryeversomanymorejusttoshowthathewastheKing。
　　Someofthewiveswerenice，butsomeweresimplyhorrid，andthehorridonesquarrelledwiththeniceonesandmadethemhorridtoo，andthentheywouldallquarrelwithSuleiman—bin—Daoud，andthatwashorridforhim。ButBalkistheMostBeautifulneverquarrelledwithSuleiman—bin—Daoud。Shelovedhimtoomuch。ShesatinherroomsintheGoldenPalace，orwalkedinthePalacegarden，andwastrulysorryforhim。
　　OfcourseifhehadchosentoturnhisringonhisfingerandcalluptheDjinnsandtheAfritstheywouldhavemagickedallthoseninehundredandninety—ninequarrelsomewivesintowhitemulesofthedesertorgreyhoundsorpomegranateseeds；butSuleiman—bin—Daoudthoughtthatthatwouldbeshowingoff。So，whentheyquarrelledtoomuch，heonlywalkedbyhimselfinonepartofthebeautifulPalacegardensandwishedhehadneverbeenborn。
　　Oneday，whentheyhadquarrelledforthreeweeks——allninehundredandninety—ninewivestogether——Suleiman—bin—Daoudwentoutforpeaceandquietasusual；andamongtheorangetreeshemetBalkistheMostBeautiful，verysorrowfulbecauseSuleiman—
　　bin—Daoudwassoworried。Andshesaidtohim，’OmyLordandLightofmyEyes，turntheringuponyourfingerandshowtheseQueensofEgyptandMesopotamiaandPersiaandChinathatyouarethegreatandterribleKing。’ButSuleiman—bin—Daoudshookhisheadandsaid，’OmyLadyandDelightofmyLife，remembertheAnimalthatcameoutoftheseaandmademeashamedbeforealltheanimalsinalltheworldbecauseIshowedoff。Now，ifI
　　showedoffbeforetheseQueensofPersiaandEgyptandAbyssiniaandChina，merelybecausetheyworryme，ImightbemadeevenmoreashamedthanIhavebeen。’
　　AndBalkistheMostBeautifulsaid，’OmyLordandTreasureofmySoul，whatwillyoudo？’
　　AndSuleiman—bin—Daoudsaid，’OmyLadyandContentofmyHeart，Ishallcontinuetoenduremyfateatthehandsoftheseninehundredandninety—nineQueenswhovexmewiththeircontinualquarrelling。’
　　Sohewentonbetweentheliliesandtheloquatsandtherosesandthecannasandtheheavy—scentedginger—plantsthatgrewinthegarden，tillhecametothegreatcamphor—treethatwascalledtheCamphorTreeofSuleiman—bin—Daoud。ButBalkishidamongthetallirisesandthespottedbamboosandtheredlilliesbehindthecamphor—tree，soastobenearherowntruelove，Suleiman—bin—Daoud。
　　PresentlytwoButterfliesflewunderthetree，quarrelling。
　　Suleiman—bin—Daoudheardonesaytotheother，’Iwonderatyourpresumptionintalkinglikethistome。Don’tyouknowthatifI
　　stampedwithmyfootallSuleiman—bin—Daoud’sPalaceandthisgardenherewouldimmediatelyvanishinaclapofthunder。’
　　ThenSuleiman—bin—Daoudforgothisninehundredandninety—ninebothersomewives，andlaughed，tillthecamphor—treeshook，attheButterfly’sboast。Andheheldouthisfingerandsaid，’Littleman，comehere。’
　　TheButterflywasdreadfullyfrightened，buthemanagedtoflyuptothehandofSuleiman—bin—Daoud，andclungthere，fanninghimself。Suleiman—bin—Daoudbenthisheadandwhisperedverysoftly，’Littleman，youknowthatallyourstampingwouldn’tbendonebladeofgrass。Whatmadeyoutellthatawfulfibtoyourwife？——fordoubtlesssheisyourwife。’
　　TheButterflylookedatSuleiman—bin—DaoudandsawthemostwiseKing’seyetwinklelikestarsonafrostynight，andhepickeduphiscouragewithbothwings，andheputhisheadononesideandsaid，’OKing，liveforever。Sheismywife；andyouknowwhatwivesarelike。
　　Suleiman—bin—Daoudsmiledinhisbeardandsaid，’Yes，Iknow，littlebrother。
　　’Onemustkeeptheminordersomehow，saidtheButterfly，andshehasbeenquarrellingwithmeallthemorning。Isaidthattoquiether。’
　　AndSuleiman—bin—Daoudsaid，’Mayitquiether。Gobacktoyourwife，littlebrother，andletmehearwhatyousay。’
　　BackflewtheButterflytohiswife，whowasallofatwitterbehindaleaf，andshesaid，’Heheardyou!Suleiman—bin—Daoudhimselfheardyou!’
　　’Heardme!’saidtheButterfly。’Ofcoursehedid。Imeanthimtohearme。’
　　’Andwhatdidhesay？Oh，whatdidhesay？’
　　’Well，’saidtheButterfly，fanninghimselfmostimportantly，’betweenyouandme，mydear——ofcourseIdon’tblamehim，becausehisPalacemusthavecostagreatdealandtheorangesarejustripening，——heaskedmenottostamp，andIpromisedI
　　wouldn’t。’
　　’Gracious!’saidhiswife，andsatquitequiet；butSuleiman—bin—DaoudlaughedtillthetearsrandownhisfaceattheimpudenceofthebadlittleButterfly。
　　BalkistheMostBeautifulstoodupbehindthetreeamongtheredliliesandsmiledtoherself，forshehadheardallthistalk。
　　Shethought，’IfIamwiseIcanyetsavemyLordfromthepersecutionsofthesequarrelsomeQueens，’andsheheldoutherfingerandwhisperedsoftlytotheButterfly’sWife，’Littlewoman，comehere。’UpflewtheButterfly’sWife，veryfrightened，andclungtoBalkis’swhitehand。
　　Balkisbentherbeautifulheaddownandwhispered，’Littlewoman，doyoubelievewhatyourhusbandhasjustsaid？’
　　TheButterfly’sWifelookedatBalkis，andsawthemostbeautifulQueen’seyesshininglikedeeppoolswithstarlightonthem，andshepickeduphercouragewithbothwingsandsaid，’OQueen，belovelyforever。Youknowwhatmen—folkarelike。’
　　AndtheQueenBalkis，theWiseBalkisofSheba，putherhandtoherlipstohideasmileandsaid，’Littlesister，Iknow。’
　　’Theygetangry，’saidtheButterfly’sWife，fanningherselfquickly，’overnothingatall，butwemusthumourthem，OQueen。
　　Theynevermeanhalftheysay。IfitpleasesmyhusbandtobelievethatIbelievehecanmakeSuleiman—bin—Daoud’sPalacedisappearbystampinghisfoot，I’msureIdon’tcare。He’llforgetallaboutitto—morrow。’
　　’Littlesister，’saidBalkis，’youarequiteright；butnexttimehebeginstoboast，takehimathisword。Askhimtostamp，andseewhatwillhappen。Weknowwhatmen—folkarelike，don’twe？
　　He’llbeverymuchashamed。’
　　AwayflewtheButterfly’sWifetoherhusband，andinfiveminutestheywerequarrellingworsethanever。
　　’Remember!’saidtheButterfly。’RememberwhatIcandoifI
　　stampmyfoot。’
　　’Idon’tbelieveyouonelittlebit，’saidtheButterfly’sWife。
　　’Ishouldverymuchliketoseeitdone。Supposeyoustampnow。’
　　’IpromisedSuleiman—bin—DaoudthatIwouldn’t，’saidtheButterfly，’andIdon’twanttobreakmypromise。’
　　’Itwouldn’tmatterifyoudid，’saidhiswife。’Youcouldn’tbendabladeofgrasswithyourstamping。Idareyoutodoit，’
　　shesaid。Stamp!Stamp!Stamp!’
　　Suleiman—bin—Daoud，sittingunderthecamphor—tree，heardeverywordofthis，andhelaughedashehadneverlaughedinhislifebefore。HeforgotallabouthisQueens；heforgotallabouttheAnimalthatcameoutofthesea；heforgotaboutshowingoff。Hejustlaughedwithjoy，andBalkis，ontheothersideofthetree，smiledbecauseherowntruelovewassojoyful。
　　PresentlytheButterfly，veryhotandpuffy，camewhirlingbackundertheshadowofthecamphor—treeandsaidtoSuleiman，’Shewantsmetostamp!Shewantstoseewhatwillhappen，OSuleiman—bin—Daoud!YouknowIcan’tdoit，andnowshe’llneverbelieveawordIsay。She’lllaughatmetotheendofmydays!’
　　’No，littlebrother，’saidSuleiman—bin—Daoud，’shewillneverlaughatyouagain，’andheturnedtheringonhisfinger——justforthelittleButterfly’ssake，notforthesakeofshowingoff，——and，loandbehold，fourhugeDjinnscameoutoftheearth!
　　’Slaves，’saidSuleiman—bin—Daoud，’whenthisgentlemanonmyfinger’（thatwaswheretheimpudentButterflywassitting）
　　’stampshisleftfrontforefootyouwillmakemyPalaceandthesegardensdisappearinaclapofthunder。Whenhestampsagainyouwillbringthembackcarefully。’
　　’Now，littlebrother，’hesaid，’gobacktoyourwifeandstampallyou’veamindto。’
　　AwayflewtheButterflytohiswife，whowascrying，’Idareyoutodoit!Idareyoutodoit!Stamp!Stampnow!Stamp!’BalkissawthefourvastDjinnsstoopdowntothefourcornersofthegardenswiththePalaceinthemiddle，andsheclappedherhandssoftlyandsaid，’AtlastSuleiman—bin—DaoudwilldoforthesakeofaButterflywhatheoughttohavedonelongagoforhisownsake，andthequarrelsomeQueenswillbefrightened!’
　　Thethebutterflystamped。TheDjinnsjerkedthePalaceandthegardensathousandmilesintotheair：therewasamostawfulthunder—clap，andeverythinggrewinky—black。TheButterfly’sWifeflutteredaboutinthedark，crying，’Oh，I’llbegood!I’msosorryIspoke。Onlybringthegardensback，mydeardarlinghusband，andI’llnevercontradictagain。’
　　TheButterflywasnearlyasfrightenedashiswife，andSuleiman—bin—DaoudlaughedsomuchthatitwasseveralminutesbeforehefoundbreathenoughtowhispertotheButterfly，’Stampagain，littlebrother。GivemebackmyPalace，mostgreatmagician。’
　　’Yes，givehimbackhisPalace，’saidtheButterfly’sWife，stillflyingaboutinthedarklikeamoth。’GivehimbackhisPalace，anddon’tlet’shaveanymorehorrid。magic。’
　　’Well，mydear，’saidtheButterflyasbravelyashecould，’youseewhatyournagginghasledto。Ofcourseitdoesn’tmakeanydifferencetome——I’musedtothiskindofthing——butasafavourtoyouandtoSuleiman—bin—DaoudIdon’tmindputtingthingsright。’
　　Sohestampedoncemore，andthatinstanttheDjinnsletdownthePalaceandthegardens，withoutevenabump。Thesunshoneonthedark—greenorangeleaves；thefountainsplayedamongthepinkEgyptianlilies；thebirdswentonsinging，andtheButterfly’sWifelayonhersideunderthecamphor—treewagglingherwingsandpanting，’Oh，I’llbegood!I’llbegood!’
　　Suleiman—bin—Daolldcouldhardlyspeakforlaughing。Heleanedbackallweakandhiccoughy，andshookhisfingerattheButterflyandsaid，’Ogreatwizard，whatisthesenseofreturningtomemyPalaceifatthesametimeyouslaymewithmirth!’
　　Thencameaterriblenoise，foralltheninehundredandninety—nineQueensranoutofthePalaceshriekingandshoutingandcallingfortheirbabies。Theyhurrieddownthegreatmarblestepsbelowthefountain，onehundredabreast，andtheMostWiseBalkiswentstatelilyforwardtomeetthemandsaid，’Whatisyourtrouble，OQueens？’
　　Theystoodonthemarblestepsonehundredabreastandshouted，’Whatisourtrouble？Wewerelivingpeacefullyinourgoldenpalace，asisourcustom，whenuponasuddenthePalacedisappeared，andwewereleftsittinginathickandnoisomedarkness；anditthundered，andDjinnsandAfritsmovedaboutinthedarkness!Thatisourtrouble，OHeadQueen，andwearemostextremelytroubledonaccountofthattrouble，foritwasatroublesometrouble，unlikeanytroublewehaveknown。’
　　ThenBalkistheMostBeautifulQueen——Suleiman—bin—Daoud’sVeryBestBeloved——QueenthatwasofShebaandSableandtheRiversoftheGoldoftheSouth——fromtheDesertofZinntotheTowersofZimbabwe——Balkis，almostaswiseastheMostWiseSuleiman—bin—Daoudhimself，said，’Itisnothing，OQueens!AButterflyhasmadecomplaintagainsthiswifebecauseshequarrelledwithhim，andithaspleasedourLordSuleiman—bin—Daoudtoteachheralessoninlow—speakingandhumbleness，forthatiscountedavirtueamongthewivesofthebutterflies。’
　　ThenupandspokeanEgyptianQueen——thedaughterofaPharoah——andshesaid，’OurPalacecannotbepluckedupbytherootslikealeekforthesakeofalittleinsect。No!Suleiman—bin—Daoudmustbedead，andwhatweheardandsawwastheearththunderinganddarkeningatthenews。’
　　ThenBalkisbeckonedthatboldQueenwithoutlookingather，andsaidtoherandtotheothers，’Comeandsee。’
　　Theycamedownthemarblesteps，onehundredabreast，andbeneathhiscamphor—tree，stillweakwithlaughing，theysawtheMostWiseKingSuleiman—bin—DaoudrockingbackandforthwithaButterflyoneitherhand，andtheyheardhimsay，’Owifeofmybrotherintheair，rememberafterthis，topleaseyourhusbandinallthings，lesthebeprovokedtostamphisfootyetagain；
　　forhehassaidthatheisusedtothismagic，andheismosteminentlyagreatmagician——onewhostealsawaytheveryPalaceofSuleirnan—bin—Daoudhimself。Goinpeace，littlefolk!’Andhekissedthemonthewings，andtheyflewaway。
　　ThenalltheQueensexceptBalkis——theMostBeautifulandSplendidBalkis，whostoodapartsmiling——fellflatontheirfaces，fortheysaid，’IfthesethingsaredonewhenaButterflyisdispleasedwithhiswife，whatshallbedonetouswhohavevexedourKingwithourloud—speakingandopenquarrellingthroughmanydays？’
　　Thentheyputtheirveilsovertheirheads，andtheyputtheirhandsovertheirmouths，andtheytiptoedbacktothePalacemostmousy—quiet。
　　ThenBalkis——TheMostBeautifulandExcellentBalkis——wentforwardthroughtheredliliesintotheshadeofthecamphor—treeandlaidherhanduponSuleiman—bin—Daoud’sshoulderandsaid，’O
　　myLordandTreasureofmySoul，rejoice，forwehavetaughttheQueensofEgyptandEthiopiaandAbyssiniaandPersiaandIndiaandChinawithagreatandamemorableteaching。’
　　AndSuleiman—bin—Daoud，stilllookingaftertheButterflieswheretheyplayedinthesunlight，said，’OmyLadyandJewelofmyFelicity，whendidthishappen？ForIhavebeenjestingwithaButterflyeversinceIcameintothegarden。’AndhetoldBalkiswhathehaddone。
　　Balkis——ThetenderandMostLovelyBalkis——said，’OmyLordandRegentofmyExistence，Ihidbehindthecamphor—treeandsawitall。ItwasIwhotoldtheButterfly’sWifetoasktheButterflytostamp，becauseIhopedthatforthesakeofthejestmyLordwouldmakesomegreatmagicandthattheQueenswouldseeitandbefrightened。’AndshetoldhimwhattheQueenshadsaidandseenandthought。
　　ThenSuleiman—bin—Daoudroseupfromhisseatunderthecamphor—tree，andstretchedhisarmsandrejoicedandsaid，’OmyLadyandSweetenerofmyDays，knowthatifIhadmadeamagicagainstmyQueensforthesakeofprideoranger，asI
　　madethatfeastforalltheanimals，Ishouldcertainlyhavebeenputtoshame。ButbymeansofyourwisdomImadethemagicforthesakeofajestandforthesakeofalittleButterfly，and——behold——ithasalsodeliveredmefromthevexationsofmyvexatiouswives!Tellme，therefore，OmyLadyandHeartofmyHeart，howdidyoucometobesowise？’AndBalkistheQueen，beautifulandtall，lookedupintoSuleiman—bin—Daoud’seyesandputherheadalittleononeside，justliketheButterfly，andsaid，’First，OmyLord，becauseIlovedyou；andsecondly，OmyLord，becauseIknowwhatwomen—folkare。’
　　ThentheywentuptothePalaceandlivedhappilyeverafterwards。
　　Butwasn’titcleverofBalkis？
　　THEREwasneveraQueenlikeBalkis，Fromheretothewideworld’send；
　　ButBalkistailedtoabutterflyAsyouwouldtalktoafriend。
　　TherewasneveraKinglikeSolomon，Notsincetheworldbegan；
　　ButSolomontalkedtoabutterflyAsamanwouldtalktoaman。
　　ShewasQueenofSabaea——
　　AndhewasAsia’sLord——
　　Buttheybothof’emtalkedtobutterfliesWhentheytooktheirwalksabroad!