’"So plausible was his speech—­so apparently innocent and just his demands—­that the whole collected populace believed I was actually attempting to defraud the blind man of his property, and treated me in consequence with great severity.  I demanded to be taken before the Kauzy of the city.  ‘Yes yes,’ said the blind man, ’we will have you before the Kauzy’; and away we went, accompanied by the crowd who had espoused the blind man’s cause against me.

’"The blind man preferred his claim, and advocated his own cause with so many arguments of apparent justice, that I was not allowed a voice in the business; and in the end I was sentenced to be thrust out of the city as a thief and vagabond, with a threat of still greater punishment if I dared to return.  Here ends my sad tale; and you may judge for yourself, oh, Traveller! how truly the Snake has proved to you that he follows but the way of the world!”

* * * * *

’As they pursued their way in search of further conviction, they met a Fox, whose wisdom and sagacity was consulted on the important question.  Having heard the whole history with becoming gravity, the Fox addressed the Traveller:—­“You can have no good reason to suppose, Mr. Traveller, that in your case there should be any deviation from the general rule.  I have often been obliged to suffer the vilest returns from friends whom I have been active to oblige; but I am rather curious to see the way you effected the release of the Snake from the fire, for I will candidly confess myself so stupid as not clearly to understand the description you have both attempted to give.  I shall judge the merits of the case better if I see it performed.”

’To this proposal the Snake and Traveller agreed:  and when the corn bag was thrown towards the Snake, he crept into it as before.  The Fox then called out to the Traveller “Draw quickly!” he did so, and the Snake was caught by a noose in the cord which the Fox had contrived unperceived, by which the Snake was secured fast round the middle.  “Now,” said the Fox, “bruise your enemy, and thus relieve the world of one base inhabitant!"’[12]

This fable is frequently enlarged and embellished by the reciter to a considerable extent, by introducing many different objects animate and inanimate, to elucidate the question before the Fox arrives, who is generally brought in to moral the fable.

I trust to be excused for transcribing the following moral fable which was translated from the Persian by my husband for my amusement, bearing the title of ’The King who longed for an unknown fruit:’—­

’A certain King was so great a tyrant, that his servants and subjects dreaded each burst of anger, as it were the prelude to their own annihilation.  The exercise of his will was as absolute as his power; he had only to command, and obedience followed, however difficult or inconvenient to the people who served under him.