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F. H. MALYON ON 
This speech the mother repeated to the boys’ father. The latter again 
approached the serpent and asked him, “ But how can we send him the news ? 
You have encircled all of us! ” 
The serpent replied, “X will allow a messenger from among you to carry the 
news.” 
So the messenger started, and the King entrusted him with a letter in which he 
wrote thus : — 
If you are seated, arise ! 
And if risen, set out! 
When the messenger reached the young prince, the latter obeyed upon the 
instant ; and within a short time he arrived in his father’s presence, and asked, 
“What are the commands laid upon me ? ” 
Then said his father to the serpent, “ My son is before you.” 
“ It is well,” answered the python, “All of you may go,— you are freed.” But 
the youngest prince he detained with him. 
Then said the young prince, “ Wherefore do you detain me ? Tell me your will.” 
“ For this reason have I kept you back,” answered the serpent, “that in my 
nostrils are insects, and on account of them I suffer greatly. Could you but go to 
the country of the Fairy Taughing-Flower, and by some means or other cause her 
to laugh, then will flowers fall from her lips, and after these flowers will the insects 
come forth from my nostrils, being attracted by the perfume. Then shall I be 
relieved. This is the service I require of you.” 
“Very well,” answered the prince. “ Whatsoever gold you need,” continued 
the serpent, “ take it from this river, and carry it with you upon your journey.” 
The prince took what he wished, and fared forth, following the river’s bank. 
When he had journeyed thus for several days, he came upon a city of ants, and lo ! 
the river was agitated by waves, which were sweeping away the ants. The prince’s 
compassion was roused. He said to the ants, “How foolish you are! Why do you 
not leave this place where the river constantly does you harm ?” 
“ We are a perverse people,” answered the ants. “ This river has carried away 
many of our friends, and therefore we (are resolved to) sacrifice even our own lives.” 
The prince then built them a wall : so that the ants were in safety. Then did 
the queen-ant give the prince her wings, saying, “ Should it ever happen that you 
have need of us, cast these wings upon the fire. Then, if all be well, will we be 
present in your service.” 
The prince wished them good-bye, and resumed his journey. He went straight 
ahead, — on, on, on — thus he journeyed for some time, till at length he arrived at 
the village of the mice. When behold ! — the chieftain of the mice was beating his 
people and putting them to flight. 
The prince asked him, “Why are you acting thus ? ’ ’ 
“ These are such poor folk,” replied the chieftain, “that they cannot pay me 
my taxes. Therefore am I beating them.” 
