Page:Folk-lore of the Holy Land.djvu/277

ing some extraordinary request. As Suleyman knew the language of birds, and had power over all things living, it would be easy, the old woman suggested, to build for his love a palace of feathers floating in the air. The favourite took the hint, and when next the king came to her she sulked with him and pouted, as one aggrieved. By dint of coaxing, Suleyman learnt her grievance. He at once ordered all the birds to come before him and devise some measure to content his love. All obeyed except the owl, who flatly refused. But Suleyman sent word that if she persisted in disobeying him he would cut off her head; when she changed her mind, and asked forgiveness for her first refusal. The king promised to overlook it, but only on condition of her answering aright some questions he was going to put to her.

The Hakim asked her why she had not come when he first called her. The reply was, “Because a wicked old hag has turned your fair one’s head and egged her on to ask an impossible thing, for who can build a palace without foundations?” Pointing to the thousands of birds there present, the king asked, “Which of all these birds do you think the handsomest?” “My son,” replied the owl. “Which are more numerous, the living or the dead?” “The dead,” said the bird. “How do you prove that?” “All who sleep are dead, as far as the business of life is concerned.” “What is more abundant, day or night?” “Day.” “ How so?” “Because when the moon shines it is day- light and people travel.” “Only one more question,”