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!