Page:Comical history of the king and the cobbler (1).pdf/23

 23 surprised to find them in his room instead of his children! He cried out most dreadfully. The painter ran to him, and appeared greatly astonished: “Perhaps," said he, “you have deserved so great a punishment as this metamorphosis from heaven, for some very extraordinary crime." The goldsmith was not to be deceived by what his friend said; but being convinced that he was the author of the metamorphosis, he obliged him to appear before the cadi; and there accused him of having stolen his children. “My lord," said the painter, “It is very easy for you to know the truth; order the two bears to be brought here, and if, by their gestures and caresses, they distinguish the goldsmith from the rest of the company, you cannot doubt their being really his children."

The cadi consented to make this trial. As soon as the two little bears, whom the painter had made to fast two days before, saw the goldsmith, they ran to him, and licked his hands. So extraordinary a sight astonished the cadi, who was so embarassed that he durst not pronounce sentence.

The goldsmith confused, returned to the painter, and on his knees confessed his treachery, conjuring him to pray to God to restore his children to their natural form. The painter pretending