Page:The jade story book; stories from the Orient (IA jadestorybooksto00cous).pdf/148

132 me that a piece of good fortune should befall me through a stork."

When Caliph had recovered from his surprise, he drew up his feet into a graceful position, bent his long neck, and said: "O, screech owl! From your words I am led to believe that we see in you a companion in misfortune. But, alas! Your hope that you may attain your deliverance through us is but a vain one. You will know our helplessness when you have heard our story."

The screech owl begged him to relate it, and the Caliph accordingly told him what we already know.

When the Caliph had ended, the owl thanked him and said: "You must hear my story, and own that I am no less unfortunate than yourselves. My father is the King of the Indies. I, his only daughter, am named Lusa. That magician, Kaschnur, who enchanted you, has been the cause of my misfortunes, too. He came one day to my father and demanded my hand for his son Mirza.