the Princess Giauhara | oR 37

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would think me very well paid if you gave me the smallest
piece of silver for ,him. I set a much higher value upon him, and
you should not have him for a piece of gold. Although I am
advanced in years, I never saw such a bird in my life. I intend
to make a present of him to the king; he will know the value of
him better than you.’

Without staying any longer in the market, fie peasant went

- directly to the palace, and placed himself exactly before the king’s
apartment. His majesty, being at a window where he could see all:
that passed in the court, no sooner cast his eyes on this beautiful
bird, than he sent an officer to buy it for him. The officer, going to
the peasant, asked him how much he wanted for that bird. ‘If it be.
for his majesty,’ answered the peasant, ‘I humbly beg of him. to
accept it of me as a present, and I desire you to carry it to him’,
The officer took the bird to the king, who found it so great a rarity.
that he ordered the same officer to take ten pieces of gold, and carry.
them to the peasant, who departed very well satisfied. The king
ordered the bird to be put into a magnificent cage, and gave it seed:
and water in rich vessels.

His majesty being then ready to-go hunting, had not time to, »
consider the bird, therefore had it brought to him as soon as he came.
back. The officer brought the cage, and the king, that he might:
better see the bird, took it out himself, and perched it upon his hand.
Looking earnestly at it, he asked the officer if he had seen it eat.
‘Sir, replied the officer, ‘your majesty may observe the vessel with
his food is still full, and he has not touched any of it.’ Then the
king ordered him meat of various sorts, that he might take what
he liked best.

The table being spread, and dinner served up just as the king
had given these orders, the bird, flapping his wings, hopped off.
the king’s hand, and flew on to the table, where he began to peck,
the bread and victuals, sometimes on one plate, and sometimes on.