red manfully,
but he could do nothing with the situation. "You see," he said, "this is
no ordinary hunger which one goat will suffice--"

Popocatepetl groaned an assent.

"--but it is an enormous affair," continued the little eagle, "which
requires something like a dozen stars. I don't see what can be done
unless we get that little creature of the earth--that little animal with
two arms, two legs, one head, and a very brave air, to invent something.
He is said to be very wise."

"Who claims it for him?" asked Popocatepetl.

"He claims it for himself," responded the eagle.

"Well, summon him. Let us see. He is doubtless a kind little animal, and
when he sees my distress he will invent something."

"Good!" The eagle flew until he discovered one of these small creatures.
"Oh, tiny animal, the great chief Popocatepetl summons you!"

"Does he, indeed!"

"Popocatepetl, the great chief," said the eagle again, thinking that the
little animal had not heard rightly.

"Well, and why does he summon me?"

"Because he is in distress, and he needs your assistance."

The little animal reflected for a time, and then said, "I will go."

When Popocatepetl perceived the little animal and the eagle he stretched
forth his great, solemn arms. "Oh, blessed little animal with two arms,
two legs, a head, and a very brave air, help me in my agony. Behold I,
Popocatepetl, who saw the King of Everything fashioning the stars, I,
who knew the sun in his childhood, I, Popocatepetl, appeal to you,
little animal. I am hungry."

After a while the little animal asked: "How much will you pay?"

"Pay?" said Popocatepetl.

"Pay?" said the eagle.

"Assuredly," quoth the little animal, "pay!"

"But," demanded Popocatepetl, "were you never hungry? I tell you I am
hungry, and is your first word then 'pay'?"

The little animal turned coldly away. "Oh, Popocatepetl, how much wisdom
has flown past you since you saw the King of Everything fashioning the
stars and since you knew the sun in his childhood? I said pay, and,
moreover, your distress measures my price. It is our law. Yet it is true
that we did not see the King of Everything fashioning the stars. Nor did
we know the sun in his childhood."

Then did Popocatepetl roar and shake in his rage. "Oh,
louse--louse--louse! Let us bargain then! How much for your blood?" Over
the little animal hung death.

But he instantly bowed himself and prayed: "Popocatepetl, the great, you
who saw the Ki