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

and stroking his beard, apparently in goo
humor. Every day at this time it was hi
custom to receive the Grand Vizier Manson
so on this occasion he also came, but his fac
bore an unusual and pensive expression. TIL
caliph removed his pipe and said:
'Grand vizier, what is it that trouble
theeF'
The grand vizier crossed his arms and bow
ing before his master he answered:
II know not that / appear troubled, but a
| the gate there stands a merchant who Offer
such beautiful wares that feel provoked a.
being poor man"
The caliph, who had long desired an oppor
tunity to give his minister pleasant sur.
| prise, desired the man to be brought up.
The merchant was fat little man with a
dark face and dressed in rags, while on his
back he carried a box containing pearls,
rings, silver mounted pistols, vases and
combs, besides good stock of rich stuffs.
The Caliph Chasid, after examining every
thing, finally bought for himself and Manson
two pairs of beautiful pistols, and for the
latter'S wife a comb. Suddenly the caliph
spied little drawer, and asked what il con-
tanned The merchant opened the drawer
and took therefrom box which held dark
powder and manuscript in a strange Ian
guage, which neither Chasid nor Manson had
ever seen before
They were sold to me by a vender in
Mecca, said the man, land as place little
value upon them they are at thy disposal for
q trife"
The caliph, who was something of a book
worm, bought the box and contents and dis
missed the man. Feeling curiosity to know
what the characters on the scroll might
mean, he asked the grand vizier whether he
knew of anybody able to decipher the writ
ing.
my lord and MASTER" he answered, "near
the great mosque there lives Selim the
Learned, who knows all languages; perhaps
he can help thee"
Soon the wise Selim appeared; he bowed
and exclaimed: Thy will be done, o caliph!"
Long he examined the manuscript and then
suddenly spoke: ''This is Latin, my lord; l
wager my headr'
The caliph spoke: Then read O mani"
Selim began: Thou man, who ffndcst this |
scroll, praise Allah for his mercies! Whoever |
shall snuff of the powder in the box and shall |
eXclalm 'MutabOr' may be transferred into |
any animal and become familiar with its |
language. Should he desire again to become |
himself, he must bow three times to the east
and speak the word. But beware that he
laugh not, for then would he forget the word
and forever remain beast!"
The caliph was Overjoyed He dismissed
Selim the Learned with a rich gift and ex-
claimed to Manson:
EARLY In the morning come thou to me-
We will then wander about, take some of the
powder and hear what is said in the air, in
the water, in the forest and in the fields"
Betimes the next day Manson appeared be-
fore his master, who, after placing the box
IN his glrdle and commanding his people not
to follow, started with his minister on the
stroll. Manson remembered a pond some
distance off where he had frequently seen a
number of stOrks majestically deporting
themselves, and suggested paying them
visit.
The caliph agreed and they approached
the pond They observed one old fellow
pacing up and down with great dignity.
probably seeking a meal of frogs, and all the
while communing with himself in stork. An.
other stork was floating gracefully in the air
at some height, also in quest of his breakfast,
by my beard, my master fancy these
two long legs are holding sprightIy CONVEX
'ation. Say, how were it were we storksI"
"Well said, replied the caIiph. but first
let us once more repeat our instructions how
to become ourselves again All. so. Bow
three times to the east and say 'Alutabor.'
But for mercy sake no laughing, or we re
main beasts"
Quickly he drew from his pocket the box.
look some of the powder and supplied the
grand vizier Then both cried 'Mutabor.'
md behold! their limbs shrank and becamt
hin and red, their arms changed to wings,
heir necks became yard long and their
bodies were covered with soft feathers. After
ong establishment the caliph said: what
beautiful bill thou hast, Manson; bv the
Prophets beard, such a sight l have never
before seem"
By this time the flying stork had alighted
md approached the other, and our friends
leard the following:
Good morning, Madam Longlegs; out SO
.arly"
Thanks, dear Rattlebill I'm looking for
ny breakfast. May offer piece of lizard, '
n would frogs leg be more to your taste?"
hea4ly, my dear, | have no appetite this
morning. My object is difFercntone. To-
lay am to dance before my fathers guests,
IND came down to practice little before
land"
NO sooner said than DONE But the strange
;yrations of this bird dancer were too much
or the gravity of our friends, and they
IGrst into an uncomfortable fit of laughter.
Then it occurfedrto Manson that mirth dur
ng the transformation was dangerous. and
10 impaired his apprehensions to the caIiph.
by Mecca and Medina" said he. that
we're bad joke were we unable to become
men again! But the world can't think"
'Mu-mu-mu"- They bowed to the east
times, but the word was not