went home, and so did the king; and it is said that they
are both happier and wiser than ever before.

(Punjabi Story, Major Campbell, Feroshepore)

_THE STORY OF ZOULVISIA_

In the midst of a sandy desert, somewhere in Asia, the eyes of
travellers are refreshed by the sight of a high mountain covered with
beautiful trees, among which the glitter of foaming waterfalls may be
seen in the sunlight. In that clear, still air it is even possible to
hear the song of the birds, and smell of the flowers; but though the
mountain is plainly inhabited--for here and there a white tent is
visible--none of the kings or princes who pass it on the road to
Babylon or Baalbec ever plunge into its forests--or, if they do, they
never come back. Indeed, so great is the terror caused by the evil
reputation of the mountain that fathers, on their death-beds, pray
their sons never to try to fathom its mysteries. But in spite of its
ill-fame, a certain number of young men every year announce their
intention of visiting it and, as we have said, are never seen again.

* * * * *

Now there was once a powerful king who ruled over a country on the
other side of the desert, and, when dying, gave the usual counsel to
his seven sons. Hardly, however, was he dead than the eldest, who
succeeded to the throne, announced his intention of hunting in the
enchanted mountain. In vain the old men shook their heads and tried to
persuade him to give up his mad scheme. All was useless; he went, but
did not return; and in due time the throne was filled by his next
brother.

And so it happened to the other five, but when the youngest became
king, and he also proclaimed a hunt in the mountain, a loud lament was
raised in the city.

'Who will reign over us when you are dead? For dead you surely will
be,' cried they. 'Stay with us, and we will make you happy.' And for a
while he listened to their prayers, and the land grew rich and
prosperous under his rule. But in a few years the restless fit again
took possession of him, and this time he would hear nothing. Hunt in
that forest he would, and calling his friends and attendants round
him, he set out one morning across the desert.

They were riding through a rocky valley, when a deer sprang up in
front of them and bounded away. The king instantly gave chase,
followed by his attendants; but the animal ran so swiftly that they
never could get up to it, and at length it vanis