The master was very much surprised to see the cat back so soon, and asked him, “Where is your companion?” The cat was at first afraid to answer.  “Where is the dog?” asked the master again.  “Oh, he ran away,” replied the cat.  “Ran away?” said the master.  “What do you mean?  Where is the ring?” “Oh, pardon me, my master,” answered the cat.  “Do not be angry, and I will tell you what has happened.  When we reached the bank of the river, the dog asked me to give him the ring.  This I refused many times, until at last he threatened to kill me if I did not give it to him, and I was obliged to do so.  The river was very hard to cross, and on the way the dog dropped the ring into the water and we could not find it.  I persuaded the dog to come back with me to tell you about it, but on the way he became so frightened that he ran away.”

Then the master made a proclamation to the people, offering a reward to the one who should find his old dog and bring him to him.  They could recognize the dog by his being old and having no teeth.  The master also declared that when he had found the delinquent he would punish him by cutting off his tail.  He ordered that the dogs all around the world should take part in the search, and so ever since that time, when one dog meets another he always asks:  “Are you the old dog who lost the magic ring?  If you are, your tail must be cut off.”  Then instantly both show their teeth and wag their tails to mean no.  Since that time, also, cats have been afraid of water, and will never swim across a river if it can be avoided.

CHAPTER 14

The Eagle and the Hen.

One day the eagle declared his love for the hen.  He flew down to search for her, and when he had found her he said:  “I wish you to be my mate.”

The hen answered:  “I am willing, but let me first grow wings like yours, so I can fly as high as you.”  The eagle replied:  “I will do so, and as a sign of our betrothal I will give you this ring.  Take good care of it until I come again.”

The hen promised to do so, and the eagle flew away.

The next day the cock met the hen.  When he saw the ring around her neck he was very much surprised and said:  “Where did you get that ring?  I think you are not true to me.  Do you not remember your promise to be my mate?  Throw away that ring.”  So she did.

At the end of a week the eagle came with beautiful feathers to dress the hen.  When she saw him she became frightened and hid behind the door.  The eagle entered, crying:  “How are you, my dear hen?  I am bringing you a beautiful dress,” and he showed it to the hen.  “But where is your ring?  Why do you not wear it?” The hen could not at first answer, but after a little she tried to deceive the eagle, and said:  “Oh, pardon me, sir!  Yesterday as I was walking in the garden I met a large snake, and I was so frightened that I ran towards the house.  When I reached it I found that I had lost the ring, and I looked everywhere for it; but alas!  I have not yet found it.”