The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-04-20
THE MAGIC RUBY,

who was so misery that he almost starved
himself and his servants in his desire to
save his money. His one pleasure was to
count his gold, of which he had a great
quantity. The Kings only son in no re-
spect resembled his father. He was gay,
lively youth, who whistled and sang from
morning till night. True, he was very idle,
and spent very little time over his books !;
but then he was always so bright and happy
that every one who knew him loved him.
He had beautiful voice, and enjoyed moth
Ing better than singing. To the King, who
loved only the music of his jingling gold,
the Princes constant singing was a great
trial, and he often chided his son tor his
thoughtless ways.
One day the King was in truly frightfu
PASSION. While at the dnner-table he had
put piece of bread in his pocket, thinking
that would do Tor his supper, but when
evening came, although very hungry, he de-
cided to keep the bread for his breakfast.
During the night n hungry mouse, running
through the Kings room, smelt the bread,
and as If could not find the way into the
pocket, 1t ate a hole in the coat and carried
away the bread. When the King found his
best clothes thus ruined he was In tower
ing rage, and at that moment the Prince,
singing gay song, passed the door.
How can you sing. you idle boy" cried
the King, when such misfortune has fallen
upon your father? l wish you were a frog,
and then you could croak all day long with
out troubling me-.
No sooner were these words spoken than
the handsome Prince became an ugly, green
frog, and with ''croak, croak," hoped
down the stairs.
Help helpv shouted the King, terrified
at the unexpected result OF his wish. Catch
him, stop him.
The servants ran hither and thither, cry
ing, Where is the thief?" Where is the
murderer"
''The frog" you stupid" cried the King
But by this time the frog had gone
through the palace gate, and had reached
the duck pond. From that day the King
was sad and sorrowful. he took no more
pleasure In his gold. but constantly grieved
after his son, who he hoped would soon re-
turn TO him. Then came to his mind this
dreadful thought: What If stork should
devOur me boy?" And the idea was so
distressing to him that lie cried out in his
agony.
Meanwhile the Frog Prince hoped from
one pond to another, croaking to his hearts
content, and even though he had lost his
beautiful form he could not be entirely sad.
One morning, as the Prince sat on the shore
OF pond and was looking about for some
thing on which to make his breakfast, a
to take him up with his long bill, when the
Prince cr0aked: stop, Mir. Snapperbill. |
am no food for you. l am the Kings only
SON."
If this is true" said the stork, "you
shall live; but promise me that if ever you
return to your fathers castle and become
King OF the country you will punish by death
any one who Injuries stork."
The Prince gave the desired promise and
soon flew away. For long time the Kings
son could ind no pond which he thought
hne enough for him to live in. Finally he
came to small lake in which lay green
island
Here shall 1 live," thought the Prince,
and sprlnging into the water he swan
toward the island. As he drew near, he
saw sitting on The shore large, green frog,
who said: Here comes a stranger"
Yes" replied the Prince 81 suppose
you have never seen me before; but am
Kings son and have been changed into this
form because my father wished it,
am no frog either" returned the 9th er,
but the daughter of noble Duke. After
my fathers death my cousin changed me
into this form. | have been here year and
a day: Yesterday the water nymph who
lives IN the lake promised to come to the
shore tonight when the moon rose and tell
me how may be free"
The Prince was delighted to find such a
pleasant companion on the island. All day
tney talked over their experiences, their
plans for the future, and were pleased to
md that each was fond of music. They
tried to display their powers, and with their
croaklng voices produced some very fine
melodies. That night when the moon rose
round and full the water nymph came to the
shore and cried, Princess Frogv'
Yes, am here" was the reply. 81 have
had company all day, the son OF King, who
has been changed into frog like myself.
Can you tell him, also, how he may gain
again his old forn?"
Certainly l can," laughed the nymph.
he IS the very one who can rescue both Of
you"
Tel me quickly" cried the Prince, 'and
L shall do exactly as you direct"
WELL them" said the nynph, ''uot far
from the shore in the forest is a great rock.
In which Is dark cave, where lives an i'm
menSe dragon. AS soon as the dragon sees
you he viii open his great mouth and
breathe forth fire and smoke But do not
fear, hop boldly into the monsters mouth.
and under his tongue you will find blood
red ruby. Take this in your month and
hurry away. When the first ray of sun
light shines in the gem both you and the
Princess VIII be free from the enchant-
ment."
The Prince listened carefully to what the
nymph had said and then hoped away to
the forest. He soon found the rock and
heard loud, roaring sound. which he dis
covered to be caused by the breathing of the
uldsuu Inc L lihCe went 10 the cave and
looked in. There lay the hideous creature
sleeping. The dragon slowly opened his
eyes, and when IL saw the frog it turned
over, opened its huge mouth and snorted
forth fire and smoke. The Prince re-
membered the nymph's words, and at once
Sprang into the great cavity. He had no
trouble in finding the ruby. He had seized
it, and had sprung out of the dragons
mouth before the monster could close its
great jaws upon him. 1t was with difficulty
that the Prince could carry the ruby be-
tween his thick, green lips, and as lie must
stop every few moments 10 rest. il was
nearly daybreak when lie reached the shore.
Long before he arrived there he heard the
Princess crOaking TO the nymph, telling her
that she feared the dragon had DESTROYED
the Prince, and now that all hope OF rescue
was lost But the nymph assured the Prn-
cess that the Prince would be very careful,
and that he would not allow himself to be
devoured by the dragon.
When the Prince reached the shore. he
was received with great joy both by the
Princess and the nymph, who listened
eagerly while he told his story. Just as the
Prince was saying, II took the ruby be-
tween my lips and sprang out of the dragons
mouth" the first raw of the morning sun
glided across the water and fell on the ruby.
At the same instant both frogs vanished.
and in their stead stood q beautiful Prin-
cess and noble Prince, who stared at each
other with establishment and admiration.
Then the Prince said: you shall he
my bride and go with me to my fathers
palace"
When the new King was holding his first
council with the wise man great stork
stalked into the room and reminded the
King of the promise he had made, and from
that time StOrkS were considered sacred