Page:The red book of animal stories.djvu/89

 scared; hyænas, who crouched down in fear; and terrified men and women, who fell on their knees.

But the lion said to the gazelles 'Do not flee;' to the hyænas 'Do not be afraid,' and to the men and women 'Stand up; for the sake of this young girl, whom I love, I will not harm you.'

And all—men, women and animals—gazed with amazement at the lion and the girl, and asked each other, in



THE LION SAID TO THE GAZELLES 'DO NOT FLEE'

their various tongues, whether this strange pair could be going on a pilgrimage to Mecca to worship at the tomb of Mohammed.

At last Aïssa and her escort drew near the settlement, and when they were only some yards from the tent of Aïssa's father, which was the first as you entered the village, the lion stopped, and with the utmost courtesy asked the young girl's leave to kiss her.