Page:Jewish Fairy Book (Gerald Friedlander).djvu/153

Rh this plan. When the nobles had heard the letter read, they held their peace. Their silence distressed Sennacherib, who did not know what was to be done. He then called together all the old and learned men, including the stargazers and magicians. As soon as they were all seated in the royal council room the King told them what the King of Egypt had dared to write. &quot;How shall I act, what advice do ye give?&quot;

&quot;O Lord, great King!&quot; said one of the stargazers, &quot;know that there is none in thy kingdom who could deal with King Pharaoh except the wise Achikar, the royal secretary. Alas! he was put to death at thy command. Why ask us to advise thee? Who is able to build a castle in the air between heaven and earth? We cannot help thee.&quot;

Now as a matter of fact it was unknown to the King Sennacherib that Achikar was not dead at all. He had been condemned to death on a false charge of betraying his king and country. On the day when he was supposed to suffer death, he had recognized in the public executioner a friend, whose life he had once saved. In return the kind-hearted friend spared his life and a condemned criminal took Achikar's place at the public execution.

When King Sennacherib found that there was no one in his kingdom to help him, he began to lament over Achikar's death. In the hearing of all his courtiers he said: &quot;Alas for thee, noble and wise