Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-03-04
CALIPH ST0RK.

Grand viZier. what Is II that Troubles
theeF'
The grand vizer crossed his arms and bow
ing before his master he answered;
II know not that | appear troubled, but at
the gate there stands merchant who offers
such beautiful wares that feel provoked a.
being poor man
The caliph, who had long desired an oppor-
tunty to give his minister a pleasant sur
prise, desired the man to be brought up.
The merchant was fat little man with
dark face and dressed in rags, while on his
back he carried 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 comb. Suddenly the callph
spied little drawer, and asked what It con-
tanned The merchant opened the drawer
and took therefrom box which held dark
powder and a manuscript in strange Ian
guage, which neither Chasid nor Manson had
ever seen before.
They were sold to me by vender in
Mecca" said the man, land as place little
value upon them they are at thy disposal for
a trifie."
The calph who was something Of q 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 be
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 calphf
Long he examined the manuscript and then
suddenly spoke; This is Latin. my lord;
wager my headr
The calipb spoke: Then read, o mani"
Selim began: Thou man, who findest this
scroll, praise Allah for his mercies, Whoever
shall snuff of the powder in the box and shall
exclaim '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!n
The caliph was overjoyed. He dismissed
Selim the Learned with 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 girdle and commanding his people not
to follow, started with his minister on the
stroll. Manson remembered a pond some
distance off where be had frequently seen
number of storks majestically deporting
themselves, and suggested paying them a
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, l fancy these
two long legs are holding sprightly CONVEX
sation. Say, how were it were we storks"
"Well said," replied the caliph, but first
let us once more repeat our instructions how
to become ourselves again. All so. Bow
three times to the east and say 'Mutabor'
But for mercy sake no laughing, or We re-
main beasts"
| Quickly he drew from his pocket the box,
took some Of the powder and supplied the
grand vizier Then both cried '.Mutabor,n
anu DtuOlu! lleli lililDo Dill tllh GIu Detdulo
thin and red, their arms changed to wings,
| their necks became a yard long and their
bodies were covered with soft feathers After
long astonishmcnt the caliph said: What a
beautiful bill thou hast, Manson, by the
Prophets beard, such sight have never
| before seen"
By this time the flying storl, had alghted
and approached the other, and our friends
heard the following.
Good morning, Madam Longegs; out so
earlyfn
Thanks dear Rattlebill, I'm looking for
my breakfast. May offer piece Of lizard,
or would a frogs leg be more to your tastef'
Really, my dear, have no appetite this
morning. My object is differ Mt one. To-
day am to dance before my fathers guests,
and came down to practice little before
hand"
No sooner said than done, But the strange
gyrations of this bird dancer were too much
for the gravity of our friends, and they
I burst into an uncomfortable fit of laughter.
Then it occurred to Manson that mirth dur
ing the transformation was dangerous, and
he impaired his apprehensions to the caliph,
"By Mecca and Medina" said he, that
were bad joke were we unable to become
men again But the world can't think"
"Mu-mu-mun- They bowed to the east
innumerable times, but the word was net
forthcoming-th Caliph Chasid and Manson
remained storksl
Sadly they wandered through the fields.
Back to town they could not return, for who
would know or believe themi Thus several
days passed in agony and suffering, for their
natures were unchanged and frogs and lizards
still far from being delicacy They were
NIL 70 At- h.,va- and raptlt HOY
Travelled to Bagdad, where, from convenient
roofs, they saw what was going on.
At first there appeared much evidence Of
sadness in the streets, but on the fourth day
they witnessed a gorgeous pageant approach
ing the palace, On a bejeweled horse sat q
young man in gold embroidered crimson
mantle at whose feet all Bagdad fell and
exclaimed:
"All hail, Mira, caliph of Bagladn
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 GOMEZ
They rose and few towards Medina. Night
came and they saw not far away ruin. A
near inspection showed it to have been q
stately castle, and they wandered through Its
lofty halls. Suddenly Mansor whispered:
"A grand vizer. and stork at that,
should not fear ghosts, but methinks 1 hear
groans."
The caliph listened and distinctly heard a
wailing and crying. He started forward
and soon, at the foot of a flight Of stone
stairs, reached n door on whose threshold be
stood in wonderment. For there, chained to
the floor, sat a 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, ye storks take ye as q good
omen for my deliverance; for it was prophe-
sled that a stork would cause me much joy n
When the caliph had recovered from his
surprise he said:
80, owl, in thee 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 I am no
len unhappy than thou. Ny father is king
OF India, and l, 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 hs~e