The learned Selim was soon brought. "Selim," said the Caliph, "they
say thou art very learned; peep now into this writing, and see if thou
canst read it. If thou canst, thou shalt have a rich new garment; if
thou canst not, thou shalt be beaten with five-and-twenty strokes upon
the soles of thy feet, for in that case thou art without the right to
be called 'Selim the Wise.'"

Selim bowed himself and said: "Thy will be done, my lord." For a long
time he examined the writing, then suddenly exclaimed, "This is Latin,
my lord."

"Say what it means," commanded the Caliph, "if it be Latin."

Selim commenced to translate the documents. "Oh man, thou who findest
this, praise Allah for His great goodness to thee. Whoever snuffs of
the powder contained in this box, and says thereupon 'Mutabor,' will
have the power to change himself into any animal he may choose, and
will be able to understand the language of that animal and all others.
Should he wish to return to his human form he must bow himself three
times to the East, and in the direction of our holy Mecca, and repeat
the same word. But beware, when thou art transformed that thou
laughest not, otherwise the magic word will disappear completely from
thy memory and thou wilt remain a beast."

When Selim the Wise had read this, the Caliph was delighted beyond
measure. He bound over the sage that he would disclose the secret to
no one, presented him with the promised rich garment, and dismissed
him. But to his Grand Vizier he said: "That I call a good purchase,
Manzor. I can scarcely restrain my delight until I am a beast. Early
to-morrow morning come thou hither; we will go together into the
field, snuff a little out of the box, and then listen to what is said
in the air, and in the water, in the wood, and in the field."

On the following morning the Caliph had scarcely breakfasted when the
Grand Vizier appeared to accompany him upon his walk, as he had
commanded him. The Caliph placed the box with the magic powder in his
girdle, and, having directed his train to remain behind, he set out
alone with his Grand Vizier. They went through the spacious gardens of
the Caliph, and looked around, but in vain, for some living thing,
that they might try their trick. The Vizier at length proposed that
they should go further on, to a pond where he had often seen many of
those beautiful creatures called Storks, which, by their grave
appearance and their continual clacking, had always