Page:Jewish Fairy Book (Gerald Friedlander).djvu/166

142 go with thee to King David. Thy case shall be retried and justice will be done. I must just stay a little while here by the well. My stick fell into it and I told my attendants to dig up the ground yonder where the source of the well lies. This will cause the water in the well to increase. My stick, of course, floats on the surface. As soon as the water rises near the top of the well I can reach it and as soon as I get it we will go to the King.&quot;

This action of the lad seemed very clever in the eyes of the old man. He therefore resolved to return with him to the King. At last they came before David. The lad, who was Solomon, the king's son, fell on his face to the ground. His father told him to rise up. He did so and kissed the king's hand.

&quot;May I speak, dear father?&quot;

&quot;Speak, my son.&quot;

&quot;Why didst thou not decide this man's case in his favor?&quot;

&quot;Because it serves him right to find himself in his present unfortunate state.&quot;

&quot;How so, father dear?&quot;

&quot;Because he did not act according to the teaching of the Holy Law.&quot;

&quot;O father, give me, I beseech thee, permission to sit in judgment in this case.&quot;

&quot;Most gladly will I do so, if thou wilt be able to prove to me that I have not done justice to this