One day, just as Charlemagne was about to dine, the bell was rung loudly.  He at once dispatched his attendants to bring the importunate claimant into his presence.  A moment later they re-entered with the assurance that no one waited outside.  Even as they spoke the bell rang again, and again the attendants withdrew at the bidding of their royal master.  Once more they returned with the information that none was to be seen.  When the bell rang for the third time the Emperor himself rose from the table and went outside to satisfy himself as to the ringer’s identity.  This time the mystery was solved; for twining round the pillar was a great snake, which, before the astonished eyes of the Emperor and his suite, was lustily pulling the bell-rope.

“Bring the snake before me,” said Charlemagne.  “Whether to man or beast, I may not refuse justice.”

Accordingly the snake was conducted with much ceremony into the Emperor’s presence, where it was distinctly observed to make a low obeisance.  The Kaiser addressed the animal courteously, as though it were a human being, and inquired what it wanted.  Whereupon the snake made a sign which the company took to indicate that it desired the Emperor to follow it.  Charlemagne did not hesitate, but followed the creature to the shores of the lake, attended by all his courtiers.  Straight to its nest went the snake, and there, among the eggs, was an enormous toad, puffing out its bloated body and staring with glassy eyes at the company.  The reason for the snake’s appeal was at once apparent.

“Take away that toad,” said the Emperor, as gravely as though he were pronouncing judgment in an important human case; “take away that toad and burn it.  It has taken unlawful possession of the snake’s nest.”

The court listened to the Emperor’s decree in respectful silence, and immediately carried out the sentence.  The company thereupon re-entered the royal abode, and thought no more of the incident.

On the following day, however, at about the same hour, the serpent entered the chamber in which Charlemagne sat, and glided swiftly toward the table.  The attendants were somewhat astonished at the unexpected appearance, but the Kaiser motioned to them to stand aside, for he was very curious to see what the reptile would do.  Raising itself till its head was on a level with the table, it dropped into his plate a magnificent diamond of the first water, gleaming with the purest light.  This done, the serpent bowed low, as on the previous occasion, and quitted the room as silently as it had entered.