The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-07-20

Mistress LOnglcgs, after many DOWings
and scrapings, began her dance. throwing
first one then the other leg into the air.
waving her wings. nOdding her head
gravely and disporting herself as grace
fully as only a stork can-when the on
lockers saw this they could contain them
selves no longer. Loud they laughed aud
long: and the more they thought OF the
awkwardness Of the dancer. the higher
their merriment arose.
"The king suddenly became very grave.
and turning to Frederick he said:
~ fear. my friend. that our sport has
cost Us dear. Try whether you can be-
come a man again.
"The prime minister turned toward the
east, bowed three times and said rMu, mu.
mu.' but he had forgotten the word. What
a panic seized both men. They tried as
hard as men can 10 disenchant themselves;
but try as they might, they could not recol-
lect the word. They had neglected the
warning and. as they thought, were storks
forever.
"An day they wandered around in the
fields eating a little fruit and grain. They
were very hungry, but they could not bring
themselves 10 eat the frogs and lizards
which other storks relish. Towards evening
they flew to the city. There they saw the
people running about in great excitement
and all wore mourning robes. They were
~grieving for their king, who had mysteri-
ously disappeared. When Olaf saw the sor-
row of his people he turned TO his friend
and sobbed.
20. that I had never been such a fool as
to leave my palace and country
But the mischief was done. The two
stOrks flew sadly back TO the fields and
budding together under a bush they passed
a miserable night. The next day was no
better than the first. They satisfied their
hunger as well as their long bills allowed
them, and spent the night as before. On the
morning of the third day they flew again
toward the city. There they saw a gorgeous
procession. Riding at it's head in a splendid
carriage was a young man clad in the
kings robes and wearing his crown. At his
side. dressed in rich clothing, sat an old
man whom Olaf and Frederick recognized
as the peddler who had sold them the pow
der. The populace followed the procession
and shouted: 4" Long live King Mansur!
Then all at once King Olaf saw how he
had been duped. Turning to Frederick he
said:
Now 1 understand about the powder and
the scroll. That peddler was my old enemy,
the magician Allabad. He wished his son
to be king and took this plan of getting me
out OF the way. o. if I were only king
for a day! But what is the use of crying?
Let us go far away from this place and
live and die as good storks ought
'"Thereupon the two spread their broad
wings and flew far over hill and valley.
When evening came they descended to-
ward an old ruin to spend the night. They
had scarcely got themselves settled when
they heard a soft voice somewhere in the
ruins-a voice neither human nor bird,
but which was like both. King Olaf and
Frederick were brave men, and so they
set out to find the animal with such a
queer cry. At last, in a little chamber,
they saw an owl sitting on the floor and
lamenting her fate; but as she beheld
the storks she changed her cry to one Of
joy. and said, in good German words:
~ am very glad to see you. y wise
woman once told me that a great good
should come to me through storks.'
.Alasl' answered Olaf. We ourselves
are the most unfortunate beings on earth,
and 1 don't see how we are to help you
Thereupon the king told how the magician
had served him. When he had finished
the owl told her story. 1t seems that she
had been a princess whom AIlabad wished
to become his sons wife. But when she
refused to marry the youth, the old ma
gician became very angry and transformed
her into an owl. And continued the
princess, I am TO remain an owl until
someone wishes to marry me of his own
free will. Alas! who would desire to marry
me, not knowing what sort of a girl 1 am"
When the princess had finished her
story the king asked:
Have you ever seen Allabad since he
enchanted your
20 yes!' answered the princess. Once
every month he and other magicians come
here and tell what they have done and
" II what place DO they meet?' asked the
king excitedly.
Excuse me- demurely answered the
princess, but 1 cannot tell you that I'M
less you assist me to get away also. You
know the condition. The magicians meet
tonight
The king and Frederick went out of
doors and talked the matter over. Each
urged the other TO propose 10 the princess,
but neither was willing. However, when
Frederick at last reminded the king that
he already had one wife. Olaf consented
to ask the princess to marry him; for only
In that way could they md out where the
magicians met. So the king went back into
the room and said:
Dear princess, 1 love you so we'll be-
cause of the comfort you have offered US
that 1 want you to be my wife. VIII you
marry me?'
Then. all at once. the brown feathers
OF the owl became splendid robes; anu be-
fore his astonished gazs there stood the
most beautiful lady the king had ever
seen. As she stopped down TO stroke his
head she whispered:
My lord. the magicians meet in this
very room
"Impatently the three waited for mid
night. They concealed themselves behind
blocks OF stone, making things as comfort
able as possible. At last. just as the cocks
were growing. several men entered the
room at a big table. They produced good
things TO eat and drink. and as they Toasted
they told Of the tricks they had played
during the month. At length Allabad's
turn came. When he finished telling how
III h