“‘Rock near the desert’s edge—watch the hole in its face at midnight to-night—at midnight to-night—to-night—to-night—to-night!’
“Excitement was everywhere. Jungleland resounded with the cries of animal chiefs, calling their followers about them. And, forming into bands, each separate group began moving toward the great rock. Out of the forests and from the waste places they came—in herds, in troupes and in pairs. But each kind kept to itself and, reaching the ground that stretched from the foot of the cliff, remained as far apart from the others as the width of the plain would allow.
“The moon was on high and there were millions of stars. Yet, though these lighted the side of the rock, there was not a trace of a hole to be seen. Still, it was not yet midnight; so, with eyes fixed on the cliff, the strange gathering awaited some sign. And, on the very minute, it came!
“Yes, something was about to take place. First, every ear heard a deep, muffled sound—like a drum that is played far away. Next, a wee stream of sand began to trickle down the face of the rock; then a rattling of pebbles and still larger stones; while, high up, near the top of the cliff, there gradually appeared an opening as round and as big as Elephant’s foot.
“Not an animal dared breathe! Every eye was alert—every muscle grew tense. Then, from the very heart of the rock and out through the hole, came a voice that was almost like thunder.
“‘Who wants to hear a story?’ it roared.
“But not one of the watchers made answer.
“‘Who wants to hear a story?’ roared the voice once again.
“Then Great Spot, the leopard, took heart.
“‘We do,’ he replied.