Page:The jade story book; stories from the Orient (IA jadestorybooksto00cous).pdf/141

Rh again. But for Heaven's sake don't laugh or we are lost."

As the Caliph spoke he saw the second stork circling round his head and gradually flying towards the earth. Quickly he drew the box from his girdle, took a good pinch of the snuff, and offered one to Mansor, who also took one, and both cried together "Mutabor!"

Instantly their legs shriveled up and grew thin and red; their smart yellow slippers turned to clumsy stork's feet. Their arms to wings; their necks began to sprout from between their shoulders and grew a yard long; their beards disappeared, and their bodies were covered with feathers.

"You've got a fine long bill, Sir Vizier," cried the Caliph, after standing for some time lost in astonishment. "By the beard of the Prophet I never saw such a thing in all my life!"

"My very humble thanks," replied the Grand Vizier, as he bent his long neck; "but if I may venture to say so, your Highness is even handsomer as a stork than as a Caliph. But come, if it so pleases you, let