THE STORY OF KHERUDIN. 31 



snakes. If there is any pity any mercy in your majesty, your 

 slaves trust to be allowed to return you this money." 



Kherudin answered, " Even if he is the king of all the 

 snakes, yet we cannot give him back f :>r we are fond of him." 



So all the ministers besought him saying, " If your majesty 

 will not allow us to give you money, then there is a certain 

 fairy ring which we can present to you. Whatever your 

 intention or whatever your wish may be, it will bring them 

 all to pass." 



When Kherudin heard that, he said, " If that is true, you 

 can take the king snake." 



So all the ministers rejoiced greatly and besought permis- 

 sion to retire, which was graciously given them. The king 

 snake was borne away on his ryots heads, back to his own 

 country. 



The next day the eldest brother, Zainudin, said, " To- 

 morrow we will sail home." 



Kherudin heard what he said and saw that he had only 

 ten dollars left. So he went on shore to buy all the fish scales 

 and broken pots at the fish sellers' place. He bought every 

 fish scale and broken sherd from those people who lived there 

 for ten dollars. They were all very glad. Then he carried 

 them all off and stored them in the ship. His eldest brother 

 just noticed him, but the five others kept on grumbling and 

 were angry with Kherudin for his mad conduct. 



After that on the next morning they set sail, and Kheru- 

 din was still more devoted to his mangy dog and to his mangy 

 cat. After voyaging for seven days and seven nights they 

 reached their own country. As soon as ever they arrived, the 

 six brothers each took a present to offer as homage to the king. 



The king said, " The six of you have each given me a present 

 but your youngest brother seems to think that he need pre- 

 sent no homage to me.'' 



The eldest brother replied, "It is because this youngling, 

 Kherudin has brought nothing whatever back with him.'' 



R. A. Soc, No. 46, 1906. 



