Page:The jade story book; stories from the Orient (IA jadestorybooksto00cous).pdf/91

Rh he refused. He kept the stone and through its magic qualities gained wealth and military command.

In time the fame of this wonderful stone reached the Emperor, who desired to see it. Guido accordingly took it to the palace, and his Majesty was so struck by its beauty that he wished to purchase it.

Guido had no desire to part with the stone, and the Emperor, noticing his unwillingness to sell it, threatened him with banishment from the kingdom if he refused.

Then Guido said: "My lord, I will sell the stone; but let me say one thing—if the price be not given, it shall be returned to me." He then named a price so high that he hoped the Emperor would not give it. But the ruler was determined to have it at any cost, and so the stone changed hands.

Full of admiration, the Emperor exclaimed: "Tell me where you procured this beautiful stone."

Then Guido narrated from the beginning the Prime Minister's accident and later ingratitude. He told how severely he had been injured by his order, and the benefits