Page:The jade story book; stories from the Orient (IA jadestorybooksto00cous).pdf/261

Rh So he got the jackals of the jungle together, and said to them: "Good people, the Goddess of the Wood has annointed me king. Behold the hue of royalty! And after this do no business without my permission."

The jackals were overcome by the distinguished color, and promised obedience, and so began the reign of the dyed JakalJackal [sic]. But soon he was not content just to rule over his own kind, whom he began to despise, so declared himself king of the lions and tigers, from among whom he selected his special attendants, keeping his own kindred at a distance, as though he were ashamed of them.

Of course, this made the jackals very indignant, and some of them took counsel together to see what could be done about it.

One of the wise old beasts addressed them, saying: "Leave this impostor to me. The lions and tigers and the rest think he is a king because he is colored blue, but we must show them his true colors. Now, do as I tell you. When night comes, all of you gather around him, and set up a great yell