7. How Malice Sent the Donkey
 to Marry the King.




 Cric ?
 Crac !

JT was in the days when Malice was still a boy and
was in the king's service. The sign of laziness was already
beginning to show in him then. He complained about every-
thing he was told to do; even if he were to carry something
as light as a colibri feather. He was so lazy that his bones
were always aching. One day he got the king so angry
with his complaints that instead of punishing him for lese-
majesty the king gave him the punishment commonly in-
flicted on children by the peasants. It was a good whip-
ping with guava switches, which stung his legs terribly,
Malice became very angry and ran away from the king's
service on the spot. But he swore that he was going to play
at least one good trick for that whipping. He would do it
even if he had to get up from his death bed to do it, for he
wouldn't die in peace unless he did.
 After Malice left him, the king took Bouqui into his
 service. Bouqui was as stupid as ever, but he was always
 willing to accept commands if they were not too complicat-
 ed. For example, he could weed and water the flower garden,
 and lift heavy things around the palace.