The Green Fairy Book

id themselves of their new forms; there was no use in returning to the town and saying who they were; for who would believe a stork w

in eating with their long bills. They did not much care to eat frogs or lizards. Their one comfort in their sad plig

, they perceived a splendid procession passing below them along the street. Drums and trumpets sounded, a man in a scarlet mantle, embroidered in gold, sat o

d? This Mirza is the son of my deadly enemy, the mighty magician Kaschnur, who in an evil moment vowed vengeance on me. Still I will not d

ce roof, and spread the

y matter, for the two storks ha

no longer; you really fly too quick for me. Besides, it is nearly eveni

in which they proposed to pass the night had apparently been formerly a castle. Some handsome pillars still stood amongst the heaps of ruins, and several rooms, which yet

and still more for a stork, to be afraid of ghosts, I should feel quite nervo

brave heart beat, tore himself away with the loss of a few feathers, and hurried down a dark passage. He saw a door which stood ajar, and through which he distinctly heard sighs, mingled with sobs. He pushed open the door with his bill, but remained on the threshold, astonished at the sight which met his eyes. On the floor of the ruined chamber-which was but scantily lighted by a small barred win

eliverance, for it was foretold me that a piece

'Oh, screech owl! from your words I am led to believe that we see in you a companion in misfortune. But, alas! your hope that

late it, and the Caliph accordin