Thegoosethankedhimwithtearsinhereyes，andthedwarfkepthisword。Hekilledtheothertwogeesefordinner，butbuiltalittleshedforMimiinoneofhisrooms，underthepretenceoffatteningherunderhisowneye。Hespentallhissparetimetalkingtoherandcomfortingher，andfedheronallthedaintiestdishes。Theyconfidedtheirhistoriestoeachother，andJemlearntthatthegoosewasthedaughterofthewizardWeatherbold，wholivedontheislandofGothland。Hefelloutwithanoldfairy，whogotthebetterofhimbycunningandtreachery，andtorevengeherselfturnedhisdaughterintoagooseandcarriedherofftothisdistantplace。WhenLongNosetoldherhisstoryshesaid:
　　’Iknowalittleofthesematters，andwhatyousayshowsmethatyouareunderaherbenchantment——thatistosay，thatifyoucanfindtheherbwhosesmellwokeyouupthespellwouldbebroken。’
　　ThiswasbutsmallcomfortforJem，forhowandwherewashetofindtheherb？
　　Aboutthistimethegranddukehadavisitfromaneighbouringprince，afriendofhis。HesentforLongNoseandsaidtohim:
　　’Nowisthetimetoshowwhatyoucanreallydo。Thisprincewhoisstayingwithmehasbetterdinnersthananyoneexceptmyself，andisagreatjudgeofcooking。Aslongasheishereyoumusttakecarethatmytableshallbeservedinamannertosurprisehimconstantly。Atthesametime，onpainofmydispleasure，takecarethatnodishshallappeartwice。Geteverythingyouwishandsparenothing。Ifyouwanttomeltdowngoldandpreciousstones，doso。Iwouldratherbeapoormanthanhavetoblushbeforehim。’
　　Thedwarfbowedandanswered:
　　’Yourhighnessshallbeobeyed。Iwilldoallinmypowertopleaseyouandtheprince。’
　　Fromthistimethelittlecookwashardlyseenexceptinthekitchen，where，surroundedbyhishelpers，hegaveorders，baked，stewed，flavouredanddishedupallmannerofdishes。
　　Theprincehadbeenafortnightwiththegrandduke，andenjoyedhimselfmightily。Theyatefivetimesaday，andthedukehadeveryreasontobecontentwiththedwarf’stalents，forhesawhowpleasedhisguestlooked。Onthefifteenthdaythedukesentforthedwarfandpresentedhimtotheprince。
　　’Youareawonderfulcook，’saidtheprince，’andyoucertainlyknowwhatisgood。AllthetimeIhavebeenhereyouhaveneverrepeatedadish，andallwereexcellent。Buttellmewhyyouhaveneverservedthequeenofalldishes，aSuzerainePasty？’
　　Thedwarffeltfrightened，forhehadneverheardofthisQueenofPastiesbefore。Buthedidnotlosehispresenceofmind，andreplied:
　　’Ihavewaited，hopingthatyourhighness’visitherewouldlastsometime，forIproposedtocelebratethelastdayofyourstaywiththistrulyroyaldish。’
　　’Indeed，’laughedthegrandduke;’thenIsupposeyouwouldhavewaitedforthedayofmydeathtotreatmetoit，foryouhaveneversentituptomeyet。However，youwillhavetoinventsomeotherfarewelldish，forthepastymustbeonmytableto—morrow。’
　　’Asyourhighnesspleases，’saidthedwarf，andtookleave。
　　ButitdidnotpleaseHIMatall。Themomentofdisgraceseemedathand，forhehadnoideahowtomakethispasty。Hewenttohisroomsverysad。AshesattherelostinthoughtthegooseMimi，whowasleftfreetowalkabout，cameuptohimandaskedwhatwasthematter？Whensheheardshesaid:
　　’Cheerup，myfriend。Iknowthedishquitewell:weoftenhaditathome，andIcanguessprettywellhowitwasmade。’Thenshetoldhimwhattoputin，adding:’Ithinkthatwillbeallright，andifsometrifleisleftoutperhapstheywon’tfinditout。’
　　Sureenough，nextdayamagnificentpastyallwreathedroundwithflowerswasplacedonthetable。Jemhimselfputonhisbestclothesandwentintothedininghall。Asheenteredtheheadcarverwasintheactofcuttingupthepieandhelpingthedukeandhisguests。Thegrandduketookalargemouthfulandthrewuphiseyesasheswallowedit。
　　’Oh！oh！thismaywellbecalledtheQueenofPasties，andatthesametimemydwarfmustbecalledthekingofcooks。Don’tyouthinkso，dearfriend？’
　　Theprincetookseveralsmallpieces，tastedandexaminedcarefully，andthensaidwithamysteriousandsarcasticsmile:
　　’Thedishisverynicelymade，buttheSuzeraineisnotquitecomplete——asIexpected。’
　　Thegranddukeflewintoarage。
　　’Dogofacook，’heshouted;’howdareyouservemeso？I’veagoodmindtochopoffyourgreatheadasapunishment。’
　　’Formercy’ssake，don’t，yourhighness！Imadethepastyaccordingtothebestrules;nothinghasbeenleftout。AsktheprincewhatelseIshouldhaveputin。’
　　Theprincelaughed。’Iwassureyoucouldnotmakethisdishaswellasmycook，friendLongNose。Know，then，thataherbiswantingcalledRelish，whichisnotknowninthiscountry，butwhichgivesthepastyitspeculiarflavour，andwithoutwhichyourmasterwillnevertasteittoperfection。’
　　Thegranddukewasmorefuriousthanever。
　　’ButIWILLtasteittoperfection，’heroared。’Eitherthepastymustbemadeproperlyto—morroworthisrascal’sheadshallcomeoff。Go，scoundrel，Igiveyoutwenty—fourhoursrespite。’
　　Thepoordwarfhurriedbacktohisroom，andpouredouthisgrieftothegoose。
　　’Oh，isthatall，’saidshe，’thenIcanhelpyou，formyfathertaughtmetoknowallplantsandherbs。Luckilythisisanewmoonjustnow，fortheherbonlyspringsupatsuchtimes。Buttellme，aretherechestnuttreesnearthepalace？’
　　’Oh，yes！’criedLongNose，muchrelieved;’nearthelake——onlyacoupleofhundredyardsfromthepalace——isalargeclumpofthem。Butwhydoyouask？’
　　’Becausetheherbonlygrowsneartherootsofchestnuttrees，’
　　repliedMimi;’soletuslosenotimeinfindingit。Takemeunderyourarmandputmedownoutofdoors，andI’llhuntforit。’
　　Hedidasshebade，andassoonastheywereinthegardenputherontheground，whenshewaddledoffasfastasshecouldtowardsthelake，Jemhurryingafterherwithananxiousheart，forheknewthathislifedependedonhersuccess。Thegoosehuntedeverywhere，butinvain。Shesearchedundereachchestnuttree，turningeverybladeofgrasswithherbill——nothingtobeseen，andeveningwasdrawingon！
　　Suddenlythedwarfnoticedabigoldtreestandingaloneontheothersideofthelake。’Look，’criedhe，’letustryourluckthere。’
　　Thegooseflutteredandskippedinfront，andheranafterasfastashislittlelegscouldcarryhim。Thetreecastawideshadow，anditwasalmostdarkbeneathit，butsuddenlythegoosestoodstill，flappedherwingswithjoy，andpluckedsomething，whichsheheldouttoherastonishedfriend，saying:’Thereitis，andthereismoregrowinghere，soyouwillhavenolackofit。’
　　Thedwarfstoodgazingattheplant。Itgaveoutastrongsweetscent，whichremindedhimofthedayofhisenchantment。Thestemsandleaveswereabluishgreen，anditboreadark，brightredflowerwithayellowedge。
　　’Whatawonder！’criedLongNose。’Idobelievethisistheveryherbwhichchangedmefromasquirrelintomypresentmiserableform。ShallItryanexperiment？’
　　’Notyet，’saidthegoose。’Takeagoodhandfuloftheherbwithyou，andletusgotoyourrooms。Wewillcollectallyourmoneyandclothestogether，andthenwewilltestthepowersoftheherb。’
　　SotheywentbacktoJem’srooms，andherehegatheredtogethersomefiftyducatshehadsaved，hisclothesandshoes，andtiedthemallupinabundle。Thenheplungedhisfaceintothebunchofherbs，anddrewintheirperfume。
　　Ashedidso，allhislimbsbegantocrackandstretch;hefelthisheadrisingabovehisshoulders;heglanceddownathisnose，andsawitgrowsmallerandsmaller;hischestandbackgrewflat，andhislegsgrewlong。
　　Thegooselookedoninamazement。’Oh，howbigandhowbeautifulyouare！’shecried。’Thankheaven，youarequitechanged。’
　　Jemfoldedhishandsinthanks，ashisheartswelledwithgratitude。ButhisjoydidnotmakehimforgetallheowedtohisfriendMimi。
　　’Ioweyoumylifeandmyrelease，’hesaid，’forwithoutyouI
　　shouldneverhaveregainedmynaturalshape，and，indeed，wouldsoonhavebeenbeheaded。Iwillnowtakeyoubacktoyourfather，whowillcertainlyknowhowtodisenchantyou。’
　　Thegooseacceptedhisofferwithjoy，andtheymanagedtoslipoutofthepalaceunnoticedbyanyone。
　　Theygotthroughthejourneywithoutaccident，andthewizardsoonreleasedhisdaughter，andloadedJemwiththanksandvaluablepresents。Helostnotimeinhasteningbacktohisnativetown，andhisparentswereveryreadytorecognisethehandsome，well—madeyoungmanastheirlong—lostson。Withthemoneygivenhimbythewizardheopenedashop，whichprosperedwell，andhelivedlongandhappily。
　　ImustnotforgettomentionthatmuchdisturbancewascausedinthepalacebyJem’ssuddendisappearance，forwhenthegranddukesentordersnextdaytobeheadthedwarf，ifhehadnotfoundthenecessaryherbs，thedwarfwasnottobefound。Theprincehintedthatthedukehadallowedhiscooktoescape，andhadthereforebrokenhisword。Thematterendedinagreatwarbetweenthetwoprinces，whichwasknowninhistoryasthe’HerbWar。’Aftermanybattlesandmuchlossoflife，apeacewasatlastconcluded，andthispeacebecameknownasthe’PastyPeace，’
　　becauseatthebanquetgiveninitshonourtheprince’scookdisheduptheQueenofPasties——theSuzeraine——andthegranddukedeclaredittobequiteexcellent。
　　THENUNDA，EATEROFPEOPLE
　　Onceuponatimetherelivedasultanwholovedhisgardendearly，andplanteditwithtreesandflowersandfruitsfromallpartsoftheworld。Hewenttoseethemthreetimeseveryday:
　　firstatseveno’clock，whenhegotup，thenatthree，andlastlyathalf—pastfive。Therewasnoplantandnovegetablewhichescapedhiseye，buthelingeredlongestofallbeforehisonedatetree。
　　Nowthesultanhadsevensons。Sixofthemhewasproudof，fortheywerestrongandmanly，buttheyoungesthedisliked，forhespentallhistimeamongthewomenofthehouse。Thesultanhadtalkedtohim，andhepaidnoheed;andhehadbeatenhim，andhepaidnoheed;andhehadtiedhimup，andhepaidnoheed，tillatlasthisfathergrewtiredoftryingtomakehimchangehisways，andlethimalone。
　　Timepassed，andonedaythesultan，tohisgreatjoy，sawsignsoffruitonhisdatetree。Andhetoldhisvizir，’Mydatetreeisbearing;’andhetoldtheofficers，’Mydatetreeisbearing;’
　　andhetoldthejudges，’Mydatetreeisbearing;’andhetoldalltherichmenofthetown。
　　Hewaitedpatientlyforsomedaystillthedateswerenearlyripe，andthenhecalledhissixsons，andsaid:’Oneofyoumustwatchthedatetreetillthedatesareripe，forifitisnotwatchedtheslaveswillstealthem，andIshallnothaveanyforanotheryear。’
　　Andtheeldestsonanswered，’Iwillgo，father，’andhewent。
　　Thefirstthingtheyouthdidwastosummonhisslaves，andbidthembeatdrumsallnightunderthedatetree，forhefearedtofallasleep。Sotheslavesbeatthedrums，andtheyoungmandancedtillfouro’clock，andthenitgrewsocoldhecoulddancenolonger，andoneoftheslavessaidtohim:’Itisgettinglight;thetreeissafe;liedown，master，andgotosleep。’
　　Sohelaydownandslept，andhisslavessleptlikewise。
　　Afewminuteswentby，andabirdflewdownfromaneighbouringthicket，andateallthedates，withoutleavingasingleone。
　　Andwhenthetreewasstrippedbare，thebirdwentasithadcome。Soonafter，oneoftheslaveswokeupandlookedforthedates，buttherewerenodatestosee。Thenherantotheyoungmanandshookhim，saying:
　　’Yourfathersetyoutowatchthetree，andyouhavenotwatched，andthedateshaveallbeeneatenbyabird。’
　　Theladjumpedupandrantothetreetoseeforhimself，buttherewasnotadateanywhere。Andhecriedaloud，’WhatamItosaytomyfather？ShallItellhimthatthedateshavebeenstolen，orthatagreatrainfellandagreatstormblew？Buthewillsendmetogatherthemupandbringthemtohim，andtherearenonetobring！ShallItellhimthatBedouinsdrovemeaway，andwhenIreturnedtherewerenodates？Andhewillanswer，"Youhadslaves，didtheynotfightwiththeBedouins？"
　　Itisthetruththatwillbebest，andthatwillItellhim。’
　　Thenhewentstraighttohisfather，andfoundhimsittinginhisverandahwithhisfivesonsroundhim;andtheladbowedhishead。
　　’Givemethenewsfromthegarden，’saidthesultan。
　　Andtheyouthanswered，’Thedateshaveallbeeneatenbysomebird:thereisnotoneleft。’
　　Thesultanwassilentforamoment:thenheasked，’Wherewereyouwhenthebirdcame？’
　　Theladanswered:’Iwatchedthedatetreetillthecockswerecrowinganditwasgettinglight;thenIlaydownforalittle，andIslept。WhenIwokeaslavewasstandingoverme，andhesaid，"Thereisnotonedateleftonthetree！"AndIwenttothedatetree，andsawitwastrue;andthatiswhatIhavetotellyou。’
　　Andthesultanreplied，’Asonlikeyouisonlygoodforeatingandsleeping。Ihavenouseforyou。Goyourway，andwhenmydatetreebearsagain，Iwillsendanotherson;perhapshewillwatchbetter。’
　　Sohewaitedmanymonths，tillthetreewascoveredwithmoredatesthananytreehadeverbornebefore。Whentheywerenearripeninghesentoneofhissonstothegarden:saying，’Myson，Iamlongingtotastethosedates:goandwatchoverthem，forto—day’ssunwillbringthemtoperfection。’
　　Andtheladanswered:’Myfather，Iamgoingnow，andto—morrow，whenthesunhaspassedthehourofseven，bidaslavecomeandgatherthedates。’
　　’Good，’saidthesultan。
　　Theyouthwenttothetree，andlaydownandslept。Andaboutmidnighthearosetolookatthetree，andthedateswereallthere——beautifuldates，swinginginbunches。
　　’Ah，myfatherwillhaveafeast，indeed，’thoughthe。’Whatafoolmybrotherwasnottotakemoreheed！Nowheisindisgrace，andweknowhimnomore。Well，Iwillwatchtillthebirdcomes。Ishouldliketoseewhatmannerofbirditis。’
　　Andhesatandreadtillthecockscrewanditgrewlight，andthedateswerestillonthetree。
　　’Ohmyfatherwillhavehisdates;theyareallsafenow，’hethoughttohimself。’Iwillmakemyselfcomfortableagainstthistree，’andheleanedagainstthetrunk，andsleepcameonhim，andthebirdflewdownandateallthedates。
　　Whenthesunrose，thehead—mancameandlookedforthedates，andtherewerenodates。Andhewoketheyoungman，andsaidtohim，’Lookatthetree。’
　　Andtheyoungmanlooked，andtherewerenodates。Andhisearswerestopped，andhislegstrembled，andhistonguegrewheavyatthethoughtofthesultan。Hisslavebecamefrightenedashelookedathim，andasked，’Mymaster，whatisit？’
　　Heanswered，’Ihavenopainanywhere，butIamilleverywhere。
　　Mywholebodyiswell，andmywholebodyissickIfearmyfather，fordidInotsaytohim，"To—morrowatsevenyoushalltastethedates"？Andhewilldrivemeaway，ashedroveawaymybrother！Iwillgoawaymyself，beforehesendsme。’
　　Thenhegotupandtookaroadthatledstraightpastthepalace，buthehadnotwalkedmanystepsbeforehemetamancarryingalargesilverdish，coveredwithawhiteclothtocoverthedates。
　　Andtheyoungmansaid，’Thedatesarenotripeyet;youmustreturnto—morrow。’
　　Andtheslavewentwithhimtothepalace，wherethesultanwassittingwithhisfoursons。
　　’Goodgreeting，master！’saidtheyouth。
　　Andthesultananswered，’HaveyouseenthemanIsent？’
　　’Ihave，master;butthedatesarenotyetripe。’
　　Butthesultandidnotbelievehiswords，andsaid;’ThissecondyearIhaveeatennodates，becauseofmysons。Goyourways，youaremysonnolonger！’
　　Andthesultanlookedatthefoursonsthatwerelefthim，andpromisedrichgiftstowhicheverofthemwouldbringhimthedatesfromthetree。Butyearbyyearpassed，andhenevergotthem。Onesontriedtokeephimselfawakewithplayingcards;
　　anothermountedahorseandroderoundandroundthetree，whilethetwoothers，whomtheirfatherasalasthopesenttogether，litbonfires。Butwhatevertheydid，theresultwasalwaysthesame。Towardsdawntheyfellasleep，andthebirdatethedatesonthetree。
　　Thesixthyearhadcome，andthedatesonthetreewerethickerthanever。Andthehead—manwenttothepalaceandtoldthesultanwhathehadseen。Butthesultanonlyshookhishead，andsaidsadly，’Whatisthattome？Ihavehadsevensons，yetforfiveyearsabirdhasdevouredmydates;andthisyearitwillbethesameasever。’
　　Nowtheyoungestsonwassittinginthekitchen，aswashiscustom，whenheheardhisfathersaythosewords。Andheroseup，andwenttohisfather，andkneltbeforehim。’Father，thisyearyoushalleatdates，’criedhe。’Andonthetreearefivegreatbunches，andeachbunchIwillgivetoaseparatenation，forthenationsinthetownarefive。Thistime，Iwillwatchthedatetreemyself。’Buthisfatherandhismotherlaughedheartily，andthoughthiswordsidletalk。
　　Oneday，newswasbroughttothesultanthatthedateswereripe，andheorderedoneofhismentogoandwatchthetree。Hisson，whohappenedtobestandingby，heardtheorder，andhesaid:
　　’Howisitthatyouhavebiddenamantowatchthetree，whenI，yourson，amleft？’
　　Andhisfatheranswered，’Ah，sixwereofnouse，andwheretheyfailed，willyousucceed？’
　　Buttheboyreplied:’Havepatienceto—day，andletmego，andto—morrowyoushallseewhetherIbringyoudatesornot。’
　　’Letthechildgo，Master，’saidhiswife;’perhapsweshalleatthedates——orperhapsweshallnot——butlethimgo。’
　　Andthesultananswered:’Idonotrefusetolethimgo，butmyheartdistrustshim。Hisbrothersallpromisedfair，andwhatdidtheydo？’
　　Buttheboyentreated，saying，’Father，ifyouandIandmotherbealiveto—morrow，youshalleatthedates。’
　　’Gothen，’saidhisfather。
　　Whentheboyreachedthegarden，hetoldtheslavestoleavehim，andtoreturnhomethemselvesandsleep。Whenhewasalone，helaidhimselfdownandsleptfasttilloneo’clock，whenhearose，andsatoppositethedatetree。ThenhetooksomeIndiancornoutofonefoldofhisdress，andsomesandygritoutofanother。
　　Andhechewedthecorntillhefelthewasgrowingsleepy，andthenheputsomegritintohismouth，andthatkepthimawaketillthebirdcame。
　　Itlookedaboutatfirstwithoutseeinghim，andwhisperingtoitself，’Thereisnoonehere，’flutteredlightlyontothetreeandstretchedouthisbeakforthedates。Thentheboystolesoftlyup，andcaughtitbythewing。
　　Thebirdturnedandflewquicklyaway，buttheboyneverletgo，notevenwhentheysoaredhighintotheair。
　　’SonofAdam，’thebirdsaidwhenthetopsofthemountainslookedsmallbelowthem，’ifyoufall，youwillbedeadlongbeforeyoureachtheground，sogoyourway，andletmegomine。’
　　Buttheboyanswered，’Whereveryougo，Iwillgowithyou。Youcannotgetridofme。’
　　’Ididnoteatyourdates，’persistedthebird，’andthedayisdawning。Leavemetogomyway。’
　　Butagaintheboyansweredhim:’Mysixbrothersarehatefultomyfatherbecauseyoucameandstolethedates，andto—daymyfathershallseeyou，andmybrothersshallseeyou，andallthepeopleofthetown，greatandsmall，shallseeyou。Andmyfather’sheartwillrejoice。’
　　’Well，ifyouwillnotleaveme，Iwillthrowyouoff，’saidthebird。
　　Soitflewuphigherstill——sohighthattheearthshonelikeoneoftheotherstars。
　　’Howmuchofyouwillbeleftifyoufallfromhere？’askedthebird。
　　’IfIdie，Idie，’saidtheboy，’butIwillnotleaveyou。’
　　Andthebirdsawitwasnousetalking，andwentdowntotheearthagain。
　　’Hereyouareathome，soletmegomyway，’itbeggedoncemore;
　　’oratleastmakeacovenantwithme。’
　　’Whatcovenant？’saidtheboy。
　　’Savemefromthesun，’repliedthebird，’andIwillsaveyoufromrain。’
　　’Howcanyoudothat，andhowcanItellifIcantrustyou？’
　　’Pullafeatherfrommytail，andputitinthefire，andifyouwantmeIwillcometoyou，whereverIam。’
　　Andtheboyanswered，’Well，Iagree;goyourway。’
　　’Farewell，myfriend。Whenyoucallme，ifitisfromthedepthsofthesea，Iwillcome。’
　　Theladwatchedthebirdoutofsight;thenhewentstraighttothedatetree。Andwhenhesawthedateshisheartwasglad，andhisbodyfeltstrongerandhiseyesbrighterthanbefore。Andhelaughedoutloudwithjoy，andsaidtohimself，’ThisisMYluck，mine，Sit—in—the—kitchen！Farewell，datetree，Iamgoingtoliedown。Whatateyouwilleatyounomore。’
　　Thesunwashighintheskybeforethehead—man，whosebusinessitwas，cametolookatthedatetree，expectingtofinditstrippedofallitsfruit，butwhenhesawthedatessothickthattheyalmosthidtheleavesheranbacktohishouse，andbeatabigdrumtilleverybodycamerunning，andeventhelittlechildrenwantedtoknowwhathadhappened。
　　’Whatisit？Whatisit，head—man？’criedthey。
　　’Ah，itisnotasonthatthemasterhas，butalion！ThisdaySit—in—the—kitchenhasuncoveredhisfacebeforehisfather！’
　　’Buthow，head—man？’
　　’Todaythepeoplemayeatthedates。’
　　’Isittrue，head—man？’
　　’Ohyes，itistrue，butlethimsleeptilleachmanhasbroughtforthapresent。Hewhohasfowls，lethimtakefowls;hewhohasagoat，lethimtakeagoat;hewhohasrice，lethimtakerice。’Andthepeopledidashehadsaid。
　　Thentheytookthedrum，andwenttothetreewheretheboylaysleeping。
　　Andtheypickedhimup，andcarriedhimaway，withhornsandclarionetsanddrums，withclappingsofhandsandshrieksofjoy，straighttohisfather’shouse。
　　Whenhisfatherheardthenoiseandsawthebasketsmadeofgreenleaves，brimmingoverwithdates，andhissonbornehighonthenecksofslaves，hisheartleaped，andhesaidtohimself’To—dayatlastIshalleatdates。’Andhecalledhiswifetoseewhathersonhaddone，andorderedhissoldierstotaketheboyandbringhimtohisfather。
　　’Whatnews，myson？’saidhe。
　　’News？Ihavenonews，exceptthatifyouwillopenyourmouthyoushallseewhatdatestastelike。’Andhepluckedadate，andputitintohisfather’smouth。
　　’Ah！Youareindeedmyson，’criedthesultan。’Youdonottakeafterthosefools，thosegood—for—nothings。But，tellme，whatdidyoudowiththebird，foritwasyou，andyouonlywhowatchedforit？’
　　’Yes，itwasIwhowatchedforitandwhosawit。Anditwillnotcomeagain，neitherforitslife，norforyourlife，norforthelivesofyourchildren。’
　　’Oh，onceIhadsixsons，andnowIhaveonlyone。Itisyou，whomIcalledafool，whohavegivenmethedates:asfortheothers，Iwantnoneofthem。’
　　Buthiswiferoseupandwenttohim，andsaid，’Master，donot，Iprayyou，rejectthem，’andsheentreatedlong，tillthesultangrantedherprayer，forshelovedthesixelderonesmorethanherlastone。
　　Sotheyalllivedquietlyathome，tillthesultan’scatwentandcaughtacalf。Andtheownerofthecalfwentandtoldthesultan，butheanswered，’Thecatismine，andthecalfmine，’
　　andthemandarednotcomplainfurther。
　　Twodaysafter，thecatcaughtacow，andthesultanwastold，’Master，thecathascaughtacow，’butheonlysaid，’Itwasmycowandmycat。’
　　Andthecatwaitedafewdays，andthenitcaughtadonkey，andtheytoldthesultan，’Master，thecathascaughtadonkey，’andhesaid，’Mycatandmydonkey。’Nextitwasahorse，andafterthatacamel，andwhenthesultanwastoldhesaid，’Youdon’tlikethiscat，andwantmetokillit。AndIshallnotkillit。
　　Letiteatthecamel:letiteveneataman。’
　　Anditwaitedtillthenextday，andcaughtsomeone’schild。
　　Andthesultanwastold，’Thecathascaughtachild。’Andhesaid，’Thecatismineandthechildmine。’Thenitcaughtagrown—upman。
　　Afterthatthecatleftthetownandtookupitsabodeinathicketneartheroad。Soifanyonepassed，goingforwater，itdevouredhim。Ifitsawacowgoingtofeed，itdevouredhim。
　　Ifitsawagoat，itdevouredhim。Whateverwentalongthatroadthecatcaughtandate。
　　Thenthepeoplewenttothesultaninabody，andtoldhimofallthemisdeedsofthatcat。Butheansweredasbefore，’Thecatismineandthepeoplearemine。’Andnomandaredkillthecat，whichgrewbolderandbolder，andatlastcameintothetowntolookforitsprey。
　　Oneday，thesultansaidtohissixsons，’Iamgoingintothecountry，toseehowthewheatisgrowing，andyoushallcomewithme。’Theywentonmerrilyalongtheroad，tilltheycametoathicket，whenoutsprangthecat，andkilledthreeofthesons。
　　’Thecat！Thecat！’shriekedthesoldierswhowerewithhim。
　　Andthistimethesultansaid:
　　’Seekforitandkillit。Itisnolongeracat，butademon！’
　　Andthesoldiersansweredhim，’Didwenottellyou，master，whatthecatwasdoing，anddidyounotsay，"Mycatandmypeople"？’
　　Andheanswered:’True，Isaidit。’
　　Nowtheyoungestsonhadnotgonewiththerest，buthadstayedathomewithhismother;andwhenheheardthathisbrothershadbeenkilledbythecathesaid，’Letmego，thatitmayslaymealso。’Hismotherentreatedhimnottoleaveher，buthewouldnotlisten，andhetookhisswordandaspearandsomericecakes，andwentafterthecat，whichbythistimehadrunoftoagreatdistance。
　　Theladspentmanydayshuntingthecat，whichnowborethenameof’TheNunda，eaterofpeople，’butthoughhekilledmanywildanimalshesawnotraceoftheenemyhewashuntingfor。Therewasnobeast，howeverfierce，thathewasafraidof，tillatlasthisfatherandmotherbeggedhimtogiveupthechaseaftertheNunda。
　　Butheanswered:’WhatIhavesaid，Icannottakeback。IfIamtodie，thenIdie，buteverydayImustgoandseekfortheNunda。’
　　Andagainhisfatherofferedhimwhathewould，eventhecrownitself，buttheboywouldhearnothing，andwentonhisway。
　　Manytimeshisslavescameandtoldhim，’Wehaveseenfootprints，andto—dayweshallbeholdtheNunda。’ButthefootprintsneverturnedouttobethoseoftheNunda。Theywanderedfarthroughdesertsandthroughforests，andatlengthcametothefootofagreathill。Andsomethingintheboy’ssoulwhisperedthatherewastheendofalltheirseeking，andto—daytheywouldfindtheNunda。
　　Butbeforetheybegantoclimbthemountaintheboyorderedhisslavestocooksomerice，andtheyrubbedthesticktomakeafire，andwhenthefirewaskindledtheycookedthericeandateit。Thentheybegantheirclimb。