The Story of Two Drams. 
AT a time when food was scarce, a certain tor- 
toise found it hard work to support himself 
and his family, so he walked abroad to find some 
palm-nuts. He came to where some were growing 
upon a palm tree close to a spring. Without more 
ado, he climbed the tree and began cutting the 
nuts. One fell, and the tortoise hurried down to 
find it, but was too late. The king's wife had 
picked it up and given it to her child to keep him 
quiet, whilst she washed him in the spring. When 
the tortoise claimed its return, or compensation, 
the king's wife took him to her husband. After 
hearing the full story, the king gave the to'rtoise a 
drum. Quite satisfied, the tortoise hurried off with 
it homewards. On the way he thought he would 
try the drum to see what it was like. He tapped 
it twice, and was astonished to see appear a large 
table laden with nice food, four chairs, and two 
ladies to wait on him. He sat clown and had a 
good meal, rejoicing in his good fortune. Once 
more he tapped the drum, and everything disap- 
peared as if by magic. When he reached home he 
told his family of his adventure and fortune, and 
that night they had a royal time too. Afterwards 
he decided to issue an invitation to all his com- 
panions of the forest to come to a feast of his pro- 
viding. As food was very scarce, everybody 
accepted. When all were assembled at the ap- 
pointed time, the drum was produced and tapped 
by the tortoise as before. Immediately everything 
required was forthcoming, and everyone had a good 
meal and went away delighted and grateful, except 
