“Although I am a King,” said the King, “do not forget that I am human. Is it possible that a human being should give you your lost parents?”
“How is it,” said the twins, “that you believe that a human being can give birth to dogs, and you do not believe a human being to be able to restore lost parents? If one is true, the other also must be true.”
A thunderbolt suddenly falling from the sky would not have frightened the King’s two daughters-in-law as much as did these words.
“What do you mean?” said the King, with a trembling voice.
The twins told him their story, at the end of which the lad took off his cap, displaying his silver hair; and the maiden took off her head-dress, letting fall her rich golden locks. Thereupon the King embraced his grandchildren, weeping loudly because of great joy. Then they embraced the Prince, their father, and their dear, wronged mother, who was immediately released from her disgraceful punishment. The King at once ordered the furnace to be heated to seven times the usual heat, and the two wicked women were thrown into the fire. Then a wedding was celebrated for forty days and nights and the lad was married to the daughter of the King of India, whom he had brought to the palace.
Thus Heaven rewarded the good and punished the evil.
Three apples fell from heaven; one for me, one for the story-teller, and one for him who entertained the company.
THE IDIOT.
Once upon a time there was a man who inherited much wealth from his father, but who led such an irregular and unwise life that in a short time he had spent everything, even to the last penny. Then he sat down, folded his arms upon his breast, and sighed as he thought of his unfortunate condition. His father’s friends gathered about him to console him. One of them, an old and learned man, said to him: