Page:The jade story book; stories from the Orient (IA jadestorybooksto00cous).pdf/151

Rh "Do not think me unkind, but I can only grant your request on one condition."

"Speak, speak!" cried Chasid; "command, I will gladly do whatever you wish!"

"Well," replied the owl, "you see I should like to be free too; but this can only be if one of you will offer me his hand in marriage."

The storks seemed rather taken back by this suggestion, and the Caliph beckoned to his Vizier to retire and consult with him.

When they were outside the door the Caliph said: "Grand Vizier, this is a tiresome business. However, you can take her."

"Indeed!" said the Vizier; "so that when I go home my wife may scratch my eyes out! Besides, I am an old man, and your Highness is still young and unmarried, and a far more suitable match for a young and lovely princess."

"That's just where it is," sighed the Caliph, whose wings drooped in a dejected manner; "how do I know she is young and lovely? I call it buying a pig in a poke."

They argued on for some time, but at length, when the Caliph saw plainly that his Vizier