. The endless story, and other Oriental tales retold; . came, and the King awoke, theunfinished story was taken up, justwhere the thread had been dropped thenight before. But there was a cloud over the one of the stories had an end. The King would be very happy overa story, and would lean forward, almostbreathless with excitement, his eyes fixedon the speakers face, listening intently 14 ORIENTAL TALES to every word, when—pshaw—-it wouldcome to an end, and he would sinkback among his cushions, pouting likea spoiled child because the tale wasdone. Finally a bold idea occurred to him—a
. The endless story, and other Oriental tales retold; . came, and the King awoke, theunfinished story was taken up, justwhere the thread had been dropped thenight before. But there was a cloud over the one of the stories had an end. The King would be very happy overa story, and would lean forward, almostbreathless with excitement, his eyes fixedon the speakers face, listening intently 14 ORIENTAL TALES to every word, when—pshaw—-it wouldcome to an end, and he would sinkback among his cushions, pouting likea spoiled child because the tale wasdone. Finally a bold idea occurred to him—ameans of winning his desire. He sentheralds throughout the length and breadthof his kingdom to proclaim that he-King Calapha—would give the hand ofhis daughter Zaidee in marriage to anyman who could tell him a story thatwould never end. In addition, he wouldmake him heir to the crown-lands andthe royal jewels. But there was onecondition attached. All those who triedand failed were to have their headscut off. Zaidee was very beautiful, and King. HE SENT HERALDS THROUGHOUT HIS KINGDOM 16 ORIENTAL TALES Calapha had wealth untold, therefore itwas not long before suitors were throng-ing the palaee gardens, each with astory to tell. Some managed to tell onfor a week, a very few eon tinned for amonth, one or two even drew theirstories out six months, hut all the talescame to an end sooner or later, andso, alas, did the lives of the storytellers. Now, it chanced one day, as the PrincessZaidee was heing carried through thestreets in a chair home hy four slaves,that her eyes met those of a tall, hand-some young man of a serious cast ofcountenance, who stood in the street he-fore a rug hazaar. As she looked athim the princess knew quite well that,though her father should select a hus-
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, booksubjectchildre, bookyear1916
