San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-04-09

All nail, MIRA. Cdu pu VI Dd5udu'
The two storks on the roof looked at each
other, and Chasid said:
This Mira is the son of my enemy. the
powerful magician Kashnur, who has sworn
vengeance on me- For this am transformed.
But comet"
They rose and flew towards Medina. Night
came and they saw not far away ruin.
near inspection showed it to have been
stately castle, and they wandered through its
lofty halls. Suddenly Manson whispered:
"a grand vizier, and stork at that,
should not fear ghosts, but methinks hear
groans."
The caliph listened and distinctly heard a
wailing and crying. He started forward,
and soon, at the foot of a fight of stone
stairs, reached door on whose threshold he
stood in wonderment. For there, chained to
the floor, sat large owl, whose eyes shed
abundant tears, and who gave forth the sad
sounds they had heard. Perceiving our
friends, she uttered a joyful cry and ex-
claimed:
welcome, We storks. take ye as good
omen for my deliverance; for it was prophe-
sled that stork would cause me much joy"
When the caliph had recovered from his
surprise he said:
80, owl, in thee l see fellow creature in
distress, but expect not from us to receive
help. Hear my story and lose hope"
Then he related what we already know.
The owl heard and said:
Hear my story and know that l am no
less unhappy than thou. My father is king
of India, and |, his unhappy daughter, am
named Lusa. Kashnur, who transformed
you, is also the cause of my misfortune. He
desired me as his sons wife, but my father,
violent man, caused him to be thrust from
the palace. The wretch contrived to have
conveyed to me potion, which changed me
to this condition. On awakening from long
trance found myself here, h2sLnur Dawl-
ing in my ears: Thus shalt thou remain,
ugly and repulsive, until some one shall, even
in this hateful guise, espouse thee. Thus kash-
nur doth avenge himselfr Many months
have passed away and am here alone and
sad"
The caliph had listened intently. There
seems to be a connection between our histo-
ries, but where shall we find the key"
The owl answered: st was foretold that a
stork would bring me good fortune, and
believe can save us all. The magician who
has made us all unhappy comes once month
to this ruin. Not far from here is hall
There he entertains fellows in vice and witch
craft. Among the stories that are then told
1t may be that you will hear your own and
the word you have forgotten"
Dearest princess" cried Chasid, ''~hen
comes he and where is this halle"
ION one condition only" said the owl, ''can
1 advise thee. -
Speak, speak," cried the caliph, Il agree
to ALI"
at is that inasmuch as would also be free,
one OF you must marry me-"
The grand vizier looked doubtful and NUT
tered something about "a pig in poke" but
the caliph accepted the condition and heard
that on that very night an orgy would be
held. A long and dark passage took them to
a crevice whence they had a view of the
banqueting hall. The company were assem-
bled and partook freely of the luscious fruits
and wines before them. Kashnur was pres
ent He was asked to relate some recent
achievements and told among others the
story of Chasid and Manson
What word was this" asked one, that
thou gavest them"
oh" answered Kashnur, sit is difficult
Latin word; it is 'Mutabor'"
The joy OF. the storks was excessive. The
- returned to the owl and saide
y saviour, take me as thy husband, for
that which thou hast done for me and my
friendn
Three times they bowed to the east. EMU
tabor!" they cried. And see In the joy Of
their recovered manhood master and servant,
half laughing, half crying, embraced one an,
other. But, as they turned, fancy their sur.
prise! A princess, gorgeously attired, stood
before them
Smilingly she said:
'You do not know your OWL"
The caliph was so delighted with her beauty
that he exclaimed:
1T was my greatest fortune that became
a stork"
The caliph'S return to Bagdad created
great JOY, and all were delighted to see their
beloved master again. All the more was
Mira detested. He and his father were
taken prisoners. Kashnur was immured in
the same dungeon that had held the princess,
and Mira, with a good dose of the black
powder was changed to a stork and confined
in a cage in the royal garden.
For many years Chasid and his beautiful
queen reigned, much beloved and happy.
With Manson the caliph frequently rehearsed
the stork story, when, with their children at
their sides, their gray hairs gave the signs Of
old age.-Adapted from The German by Ed.
win n. Mayer for Boys and Girls.