<h2 class='c008'>THE LION AND THE STORY-TELLER</h2>
<div class='nf-center-c1'>
<div class='nf-center c002'>
<div><span class='sc'>Characters</span>—<em>Lion</em>, <em>Fox</em>, <em>Elephant</em>, <em>Tiger</em>, <em>and</em> <em>Other Animals</em></div>
</div></div>
<div class='dl_1'>
<p><span class='dl_1'><em>Elephant.</em></span>
Dear me—we must find one.</p>
<p><span class='dl_1'><em>Tiger.</em></span>
One what?</p>
<p><span class='dl_1'><em>Elephant.</em></span>
A story-teller for the lion. He wants one who will tell him stories one after another
without stopping. It’s a task indeed.</p>
<p><span class='dl_1'><em>Camel.</em></span>
Yes, yes, and he will put us to death if we fail to find some one who can do so.</p>
<p><span class='dl_1'><em>Tiger.</em></span>
He’s king, and they say the king kills when he will. I do not know what we shall do.</p>
<span class="pagenum" id='Page_170'>170</span>
<p><span class='dl_1'><em>Fox.</em></span>
Let me think. I have it—Tell the king you have found the story-teller that he wished for.</p>
<div class='nf-center-c1'>
<div class='nf-center'>
<div><em>At Court</em></div>
</div></div>
<p><span class='dl_1'><em>Lion.</em></span>
So, Mr Fox, you are to tell me stories without ceasing.</p>
<p><span class='dl_1'><em>Fox.</em></span>
Yes, O King Lion.</p>
<p><span class='dl_1'><em>Lion.</em></span>
Very well—begin.</p>
<p><span class='dl_1'><em>Fox.</em></span>
There was once a fisherman who went to sea. He had a large net. He spread it out far and
wide. One day a great many fish got into the net. Just as the fisherman was about to draw
it up, the cords broke, and a small hole was made in the side of the net. Now, this hole
was just large enough for one fish <span class="pagenum" id='Page_171'>171</span>to slip through at a time. So, one fish got
out—[<em>Fox stops.</em>]</p>
</div>
<div class='figcenter id002'>
<ANTIMG src='images/p171.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /></div>
<div class='dl_1'>
<p><span class='dl_1'><em>Lion.</em><span class="pagenum" id='Page_172'>172</span></span>
Yes?</p>
<p><span class='dl_1'><em>Fox.</em></span>
Then two fishes got out. [<em>Fox stops.</em>]</p>
<p><span class='dl_1'><em>Lion.</em></span>
What then?</p>
<p><span class='dl_1'><em>Fox.</em></span>
Then three escaped. [<em>Fox stops.</em>]</p>
<p><span class='dl_1'><em>Lion.</em></span>
[<em>Impatiently.</em>] Yes, yes! but the story? I tell you, go on with the story. What
then?</p>
<p><span class='dl_1'><em>Fox.</em></span>
Then four fishes got out.</p>
<p><span class='dl_1'><em>Lion.</em></span>
Come, come, sir, you are not telling me anything new.</p>
<p><span class='dl_1'><em>Fox.</em></span>
O King! Each lot of fishes was different from the rest.—Then the hole grew a little
larger and—</p>
<p><span class='dl_1'><em>Lion.</em></span>
But, wherein is the wonder?</p>
<span class="pagenum" id='Page_173'>173</span>
<p><span class='dl_1'><em>Fox.</em></span>
Why, your majesty, what can be more wonderful than for fish to escape in lots, each lot
greater than the other by one?</p>
<p><span class='dl_1'><em>Lion.</em></span>
[<em>Impatiently.</em>] How long will it take all those fishes to get out?</p>
<p><span class='dl_1'><em>Fox.</em></span>
O King Lion, it was a large net—there were thousands and thousands of fishes in it.—Then
the hole grew a little larger and—</p>
<p><span class='dl_1'><em>Lion.</em></span>
Stop, stop! I can not stand this. Leave my court at once—anything to stop those fishes.</p>
<div class='nf-center-c1'>
<div class='nf-center'>
<div>[<em>Fox goes out.</em>]</div>
</div></div>
<p><span class='dl_1'><em>Fox.</em></span>
[<em>To animals.</em>] Fear not, I have saved you all. The tyrant won’t try that plan
again.</p>
</div>
<div class='figcenter id002'>
<span class="pagenum" id='Page_174'>174</span>
<ANTIMG src='images/p174.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /></div>
<div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />