--- title: Opening, part 9 — The Jade Story Book; Stories from the Orient · full text with trees · page 2 description: Opening, part 9, «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: Now some of the fishes overheard what the Crane said to the Crab, and they at once called a general meeting. --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg65965/9/page/2/) [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 9 # Opening, part 9 · page 2 [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg65965/9/) **2** “I got these two articles from a merchant who had picked them up in the street at Mecca,” said the pedler.[67](../../67/ "tree and pragmatics") “I do not know what they may contain, but as they are of no use to me, you are welcome to have them for a trifle.”[68](../../68/ "tree and pragmatics") The Caliph, who liked to have old manuscripts in his library, even though he could not read them, purchased the scroll and the box, and dismissed the pedler.[69](../../69/ "tree and pragmatics") Then, being anxious to know what might be the contents of the scroll, he asked the Vizier if he did not know of anyone who might be able to decipher it.[70](../../70/ "tree and pragmatics") “Most gracious lord and master,” replied the Vizier, “near the great Mosque lives a man called Selim the learned, who knows every language under the sun. Send for him; it may be that he will be able to interpret those mysterious characters.”[71](../../71/ "tree and pragmatics") The learned Selim was summoned immediately.[72](../../72/ "tree and pragmatics") “Selim,” said the Caliph, “I hear you are a scholar.[73](../../73/ "tree and pragmatics") Look well at this scroll and see whether you can read it.[74](../../74/ "tree and pragmatics") If you can, I will give you a robe of honor; but if you fail, I will order you to receive twelve strokes on your cheeks, and five-and-twenty on the soles of your feet, because you have been falsely called Selim the learned.”[75](../../75/ "tree and pragmatics") Selim prostrated himself and said, “Be it according to your will, oh master!”[76](../../76/ "tree and pragmatics") Then he gazed long at the scroll.[77](../../77/ "tree and pragmatics") Suddenly he exclaimed: “May I die, oh, my Lord, if this isn’t Latin!”[78](../../78/ "tree and pragmatics") “Well,” said the Caliph, “if it is Latin, let us hear what it means.”[79](../../79/ "tree and pragmatics") So Selim began to translate: “Thou who mayest find this, praise Allah for his mercy.[80](../../80/ "tree and pragmatics") Whoever shall snuff the powder in this box, and at the same time pronounce the word ‘Mutabor!’ can transform himself into any creature he likes, and will understand the language of all animals.[81](../../81/ "tree and pragmatics") When he wishes to resume the human form, he has only to look three times toward the east, and to repeat the same word.[82](../../82/ "tree and pragmatics") Be careful, however, when wearing the shape of some beast or bird, not to laugh, or thou wilt certainly forget the magic word and remain an animal forever.”[83](../../83/ "tree and pragmatics") When Selim the learned had read this the Caliph was delighted.[84](../../84/ "tree and pragmatics") He made the wise man swear not to tell the matter to anyone, gave him a splendid robe, and dismissed him.[85](../../85/ "tree and pragmatics") Then he said to the Vizier, “That’s what I call a good bargain, Mansor.[86](../../86/ "tree and pragmatics") I am longing for the moment when I can become some animal.[87](../../87/ "tree and pragmatics") To-morrow morning I shall expect you early; we will go into the country, take some snuff from my box, and then hear what is being said in air, earth, and water.”[88](../../88/ "tree and pragmatics") II.[89](../../89/ "tree and pragmatics") Next morning Caliph Chasid had barely finished dressing and breakfasting when the Grand Vizier arrived, according to orders, to accompany him on his expedition.[90](../../90/ "tree and pragmatics") The Caliph stuck the snuff-box in his girdle, and, having desired his servants to remain at home, started off with the Grand Vizier only in attendance.[91](../../91/ "tree and pragmatics") First they walked through the palace gardens, but they looked in vain for some creature which would tempt them to try their magic powder.[92](../../92/ "tree and pragmatics") At length the Vizier suggested going further on to a pond which lay beyond the town, and where he had often seen a variety of creatures, especially storks, whose grave, dignified appearance and constant chatter had often attracted his attention.[93](../../93/ "tree and pragmatics") The Caliph consented, and they went straight to the pond.[94](../../94/ "tree and pragmatics") As soon as they arrived they remarked a stork strutting up and down with a stately air, hunting for frogs, and now and then muttering something to itself.[95](../../95/ "tree and pragmatics") At the same time they saw another stork far above in the sky flying toward the same spot.[96](../../96/ "tree and pragmatics") “I would wager my beard, most gracious master,” said the Grand Vizier, “that these two long-legs will have a good chat together.[97](../../97/ "tree and pragmatics") How would it be if we turned ourselves into storks?”[98](../../98/ "tree and pragmatics") “Well said,” replied the Caliph; “but first let us remember carefully how we are to become men once more.[99](../../99/ "tree and pragmatics") Bow three times toward the east and say ‘Mutabor!’ and I shall be Caliph and you my Grand Vizier again.[100](../../100/ "tree and pragmatics") But for Heaven’s sake don’t laugh or we are lost.”[101](../../101/ "tree and pragmatics") As the Caliph spoke he saw the second stork circling round his head and gradually flying towards the earth.[102](../../102/ "tree and pragmatics") Quickly he drew the box from his girdle, took a good pinch of the snuff, and offered one to Mansor, who also took one, and both cried together “Mutabor!”[103](../../103/ "tree and pragmatics") Instantly their legs shriveled up and grew thin and red; their smart yellow slippers turned to clumsy stork’s feet.[104](../../104/ "tree and pragmatics") Their arms to wings; their necks began to sprout from between their shoulders and grew a yard long; their beards disappeared, and their bodies were covered with feathers.[105](../../105/ "tree and pragmatics") “You’ve got a fine long bill, Sir Vizier,” cried the Caliph, after standing for some time lost in astonishment.[106](../../106/ "tree and pragmatics") “By the beard of the Prophet I never saw such a thing in all my life!”[107](../../107/ "tree and pragmatics") “My very humble thanks,” replied the Grand Vizier, as he bent his long neck; “but if I may venture to say so, your Highness is even handsomer as a stork than as a Caliph.[108](../../108/ "tree and pragmatics") But come, if it so pleases you, let us go near our comrades there and find out whether we really do understand the language of storks.”[109](../../109/ "tree and pragmatics") Meantime the second stork had reached the ground.[110](../../110/ "tree and pragmatics") It first scraped its bill with its claw, stroked down its feathers, and then advanced towards the first stork.[111](../../111/ "tree and pragmatics") The two newly made storks lost no time in drawing near, and to their amazement overheard the following conversation:[112](../../112/ "tree and pragmatics") “Good-morning, Dame Longlegs.[113](../../113/ "tree and pragmatics") You are out early this morning!”[114](../../114/ "tree and pragmatics") “Yes, indeed, dear Chatterbill\![115](../../115/ "tree and pragmatics") I am getting myself a morsel of breakfast.[116](../../116/ "tree and pragmatics") May I offer you a joint of lizard or a frog’s thigh?”[117](../../117/ "tree and pragmatics") “A thousand thanks, but I have really no appetite this morning.[118](../../118/ "tree and pragmatics") I am here for a very different purpose.[119](../../119/ "tree and pragmatics") I am to dance to-day before my father’s guests, and I have come to the meadow for a little quiet practice.”[120](../../120/ "tree and pragmatics") Thereupon the young stork began to move about with the most wonderful steps.[121](../../121/ "tree and pragmatics") The Caliph and Mansor looked on with surprise for some time; but when at last she balanced herself in a picturesque attitude on one leg, and flapped her wings gracefully up and down, they could hold out no longer; a prolonged peal burst from each of their bills, and it was some time before they could recover their composure.[122](../../122/ "tree and pragmatics") The Caliph was the first to collect himself.[123](../../123/ "tree and pragmatics") “That was the best joke,” said he, “I’ve ever seen.[124](../../124/ "tree and pragmatics") It’s a pity the stupid creatures were scared away by our laughter, or no doubt they would have sung next!”[125](../../125/ "tree and pragmatics") [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg65965/9/) **2** - ← previous: [page 1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg65965/9/) - next →: [Opening, part 10](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg65965/10/) - ↑ back to [The Jade Story Book; Stories from the Orient](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg65965/)