CHAPTER XII 



THE FISH AND THE RING AND OTHER 

 SCRAPS FOR CHRISTMAS 



'HE legend of the fish and the ring 

 is said to be common enough, and 

 is of great antiquity ; it is mentioned 

 in the Koran : "Solomon entrusted 

 his signet with one of his concubines, which the 

 devil obtained from her, and sat on the throne 

 in Solomon's shape. After forty days the devil 

 departed, and threw the ring into the sea. The 

 signet was swallowed by a fish, which, being 

 caught and given to Solomon, the ring was found 

 in its belly, and thus he recovered his kingdom." 

 Professor de Morgan told the story in " Notes 

 and Queries " of a recovered ring, wonderful as 

 that of Solomon. A servant boy was sent into 

 the neighbouring town with a valuable ring. He 

 took it out of its box to admire it, and in passing 

 over a plank bridge, he let it fall on a muddy 

 bank. Not being able to find it, he ran away, 

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