t gift.'

But she did not tell him that her husband could change himself into a
serpent, a dog, or a monster, whenever he pleased. He was a very rich
man, and possessed large herds of camels, goats, sheep, cattle, horses
and asses; all the best of their kind. And the next morning, the sister
said: 'Dear brother, go and watch our sheep, and when you are thirsty,
drink their milk!'

'Very well,' answered he, and he went.

Soon after, she said again, 'Dear brother, go and watch our goats.'

'But why? I like tending sheep better!'

'Oh, it is much nicer to be a goatherd,' she said; so he took the goats
out.

When he was gone, she said to her husband, 'You must kill my brother,
for I cannot have him living here with me.'

'But, my dear, why should I? He has done me no harm.'

'I wish you to kill him,' she answered, 'or if not I will leave.'

'Oh, all right, then,' said he; 'to-morrow I will change myself into a
serpent, and hide myself in the date barrel; and when he comes to fetch
dates I will sting him in the hand.'

'That will do very well,' said she.

When the sun was up next day, she called to her brother, 'Go and mind
the goats.'

'Yes, of course,' he replied; but the little boy called out: 'Uncle, I
want to come with you.'

'Delighted,' said the uncle, and they started together.

After they had got out of sight of the house the boy said to him, 'Dear
uncle, my father is going to kill you. He has changed himself into a
serpent, and has hidden himself in the date barrel. My mother has told
him to do it.'

'And what am I to do?' asked the uncle.

'I will tell you. When we bring the goats back to the house, and my
mother says to you, "I am sure you must be hungry: get a few dates out
of the cask," just say to me, "I am not feeling very well, Mohammed, you
go and get them for me."'

So, when they reached the house the sister came out to meet them,
saying, 'Dear brother, you must certainly be hungry: go and get a few
dates.'

But he answered, 'I am not feeling very well. Mohammed, you go and get
them for me.'

'Of course I will,' replied the little boy, and ran at once to the cask.

'No, no,' his mother called after him; 'come here directly! Let your
uncle fetch them himself!'

But the boy would not listen, and crying out to her 'I would rather get
them,' thrust his hand into the date cask.

Instead of the fruit, it struck against something cold and slimy, and he
whispered softly, 'Keep still;