Page:Shen of the Sea.pdf/119

 Shen of Falling Water, Yu Shih, is angry. We have burned no incense to him within a year." "It is a rat. A rat is eating our food," said another. The others, for the most part, echoed approval. "Yes," said they, "it is a rat."

"A rat? Where is the rat?"

"There, the mountain. The mountain we have called Che Chou."

King Ta Lang gazed in a line with their pointed fingers. At first, he saw merely a mountain. A longer look disclosed that the mountain was shaped like a crouching rat. "Trap the rat, and Shen Su will once more abound with food," declared the wise men.

"Yes, we must kill the rat," said King Ta Lang. "Ho, you carpenters, construct a giant mu mao (wooden cat) in the path of this terrible rat."

A huge wooden rat-trap was built at the end of the mountain. Yet, the famine continued. Food became more and more scarce. The wise men announced that the trap was not properly built. The rat would not enter. They advised that a spear be thrust through