--- title: Opening, part 10 — The Jade Story Book; Stories from the Orient · full text with trees description: Opening, part 10, «The Jade Story Book; Stories from the Orient» by Penrhyn Wingfield Coussens: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: Suddenly, however, the Vizier remembered how strictly they had been warned not to laugh during their transformation. --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg65965/10/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [tales](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/) / [The Jade Story Book; Stories from the…](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg65965/) / Opening, part 10 # Opening, part 10 Opening, part 10 of «The Jade Story Book; Stories from the Orient» by Penrhyn Wingfield Coussens: the whole text, 126 sentences and 2536 words. The small number after every sentence leads to its own page with its syntax tree and pragmatics, parsed by Mova itself. **1** [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg65965/10/page/2/) Suddenly, however, the Vizier remembered how strictly they had been warned not to laugh during their transformation.[1](1/ "tree and pragmatics") He at once communicated his fears to the Caliph, who exclaimed, “By Mecca and Medina\![2](2/ "tree and pragmatics") It would indeed prove but a poor joke if I had to remain a stork for the remainder of my days\![3](3/ "tree and pragmatics") Do just try and remember the stupid word, for it has slipped my memory.”[4](4/ "tree and pragmatics") “We must bow three times eastwards and say ‘Mu—mu—mu——’”[5](5/ "tree and pragmatics") They turned to the east and fell to bowing till their bills touched the ground, but, oh, horror—the magic word was quite forgotten, and however often the Caliph bowed and however touchingly his Vizier cried “Mu—mu——” they could not recall it, and the unhappy Chasid and Mansor remained storks as they were.[6](6/ "tree and pragmatics") III.[7](7/ "tree and pragmatics") The two enchanted birds wandered sadly on through the meadows.[8](8/ "tree and pragmatics") In their misery they could not think what to do next.[9](9/ "tree and pragmatics") They could not rid 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 who announced that he was a Caliph; and even if they did believe him, would the people of Bagdad consent to let a stork rule over them?[10](10/ "tree and pragmatics") So they lounged about for several days, supporting themselves on fruits, which, however, they found some difficulty in eating with their long bills.[11](11/ "tree and pragmatics") They did not much care to eat frogs or lizards.[12](12/ "tree and pragmatics") Their one comfort in their sad plight was the power of flying, and accordingly they often flew over the roofs of Bagdad to see what was going on there.[13](13/ "tree and pragmatics") During the first few days they noticed signs of much disturbance and distress in the streets, but about the fourth day, as they sat on the roof of the palace, they perceived a splendid procession passing below them along the street.[14](14/ "tree and pragmatics") Drums and trumpets sounded; a man in a scarlet mantle, embroidered in gold, sat on a splendidly caparisoned horse surrounded by richly dressed slaves; half Bagdad crowded after him, and they all shouted, “Hail, Mirza, the Lord of Bagdad!”[15](15/ "tree and pragmatics") The two storks on the palace roof looked at each other, and the Caliph Chasid said, “Can you guess now, Grand Vizier, why I have been enchanted?[16](16/ "tree and pragmatics") This Mirza is the son of my deadly enemy, the mighty magician Kaschnur, who in an evil moment vowed vengeance on me.[17](17/ "tree and pragmatics") Still I will not despair\![18](18/ "tree and pragmatics") Come with me, my faithful friend; we will go to the grave of the Prophet, and perhaps at that sacred spot the spell may be loosed.”[19](19/ "tree and pragmatics") They rose from the palace roof, and spread their wings toward Medina.[20](20/ "tree and pragmatics") But flying was not an easy matter, for the two storks had had but little practice as yet.[21](21/ "tree and pragmatics") “Oh, my Lord!” gasped the Vizier, after a couple of hours, “I can go on no longer; you really fly too quick for me.[22](22/ "tree and pragmatics") Besides, it is nearly evening, and we shall do well to find some place in which to spend the night.”[23](23/ "tree and pragmatics") Chasid listened with favor to his servant’s suggestion, and perceiving in the valley beneath them a ruin which seemed to promise shelter, they flew toward it.[24](24/ "tree and pragmatics") The building in which they proposed to pass the night had apparently been formerly a castle.[25](25/ "tree and pragmatics") Some handsome pillars still stood amongst the heaps of ruins, and several rooms, which yet remained in fair preservation, gave evidence of former splendor.[26](26/ "tree and pragmatics") Chasid and his companion wandered along the passages seeking a dry spot, when suddenly Mansor stood still.[27](27/ "tree and pragmatics") “My lord and master,” he whispered, “if it were not absurd for a Grand Vizier, and still more for a stork, to be afraid of ghosts, I should feel quite nervous, for someone, or something close by me, has sighed and moaned quite audibly.”[28](28/ "tree and pragmatics") The Caliph stood still and distinctly heard a low weeping sound, which seemed to proceed from a human being rather than from any animal.[29](29/ "tree and pragmatics") Full of curiosity, he was about to rush toward the spot from which the sounds of woe came, when the Vizier caught him by the wing with his bill, and implored him not to expose himself to fresh and unknown dangers.[30](30/ "tree and pragmatics") The Caliph, however, under whose stork’s breast a brave heart beat, tore himself away with the loss of a few feathers, and hurried down a dark passage.[31](31/ "tree and pragmatics") He saw a door which stood ajar, and through which he distinctly heard sighs, mingled with sobs.[32](32/ "tree and pragmatics") He pushed open the door with his bill, but remained on the threshold, astonished at the sight which met his eyes.[33](33/ "tree and pragmatics") On the floor of the ruined chamber—which was but scantily lighted by a small barred window—sat a large screech owl.[34](34/ "tree and pragmatics") Big tears rolled from its large, round eyes, and in a hoarse voice it uttered its complaints through its crooked beak.[35](35/ "tree and pragmatics") As soon as it saw the Caliph and his Vizier—who had crept up meanwhile—it gave vent to a joyful cry.[36](36/ "tree and pragmatics") It gently wiped the tears from its eyes with its spotted brown wings, and to the great amazement of the two visitors, addressed them in good human Arabic.[37](37/ "tree and pragmatics") “Welcome, ye storks\![38](38/ "tree and pragmatics") You are a good sign of my deliverance, for it was foretold me that a piece of good fortune should befall me through a stork.”[39](39/ "tree and pragmatics") When Caliph had recovered from his surprise, he drew up his feet into a graceful position, bent his long neck, and said: “O, screech owl\![40](40/ "tree and pragmatics") From your words I am led to believe that we see in you a companion in misfortune.[41](41/ "tree and pragmatics") But, alas\![42](42/ "tree and pragmatics") Your hope that you may attain your deliverance through us is but a vain one.[43](43/ "tree and pragmatics") You will know our helplessness when you have heard our story.”[44](44/ "tree and pragmatics") The screech owl begged him to relate it, and the Caliph accordingly told him what we already know.[45](45/ "tree and pragmatics") IV.[46](46/ "tree and pragmatics") When the Caliph had ended, the owl thanked him and said: “You must hear my story, and own that I am no less unfortunate than yourselves.[47](47/ "tree and pragmatics") My father is the King of the Indies.[48](48/ "tree and pragmatics") I, his only daughter, am named Lusa.[49](49/ "tree and pragmatics") That magician, Kaschnur, who enchanted you, has been the cause of my misfortunes, too.[50](50/ "tree and pragmatics") He came one day to my father and demanded my hand for his son Mirza.[51](51/ "tree and pragmatics") My father—who is rather hasty—ordered him to be thrown downstairs.[52](52/ "tree and pragmatics") The wretch not long after managed to approach me under another form; one day when I was in the garden I asked for some refreshment, and he brought me—in the disguise of a slave—a draught which changed me at once to this horrid shape.[53](53/ "tree and pragmatics") Whilst I was fainting with terror he transported me here, and cried to me with his awful voice: ‘There shall you remain, lonely and hideous, despised even by the brutes, till the end of your days, or till someone of his own free will asks you to be his wife.[54](54/ "tree and pragmatics") Thus do I avenge myself on you and your proud father.’[55](55/ "tree and pragmatics") “Since then many months have passed away.[56](56/ "tree and pragmatics") Sad and lonely do I live like any hermit within these walls, avoided by the world and a terror even to animals; the beauties of nature are hidden from me, for I am blind by day, and it is only when the moon sheds her pale light on this spot that the veil falls from my eyes and I can see.”[57](57/ "tree and pragmatics") The owl paused, and once more wiped her eyes with her wing, for the recital of her woes had drawn fresh tears from her.[58](58/ "tree and pragmatics") The Caliph fell into deep thought on hearing this story of the Princess.[59](59/ "tree and pragmatics") “If I am not much mistaken,” said he, “there is some mysterious connection between our misfortunes, but how to find the key to the riddle is the question.”[60](60/ "tree and pragmatics") **1** [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg65965/10/page/2/) - ← previous: [Opening, part 9](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg65965/9/) - next →: [page 2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg65965/10/page/2/) - ↑ back to [The Jade Story Book; Stories from the Orient](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg65965/)