Now the little Chinaman began his stories with words like these, for most Jataka stories so begin:
"Once upon a time in the days of Buddha-Atta in Benares."
To-night Lucy began her tale in nearly the same manner—the words sounded so fine.
"Once on a time, after the days of Buddha-Atta in Benares, there was a little Chinese boy who was born a wang, which is a king. And they called him Wang High-Sky.
"And he lived in a palace, and the stairs of the palace were golden amber, and the windows were of crystal, and all the knives and forks were made of pearl and silver.
"And they told little Wang High-Sky that there were countries beyond the water, also.
"And the little Wang High-Sky said, 'Let me go and see. There may be something I can learn in other lands. There may be queer people there—if so, I would never laugh at them. Let me go and see how they live!'
"And they put him on board a dragon boat, with lanterns of silver and pearls, and with sails of silk, and carried him to the great hotel on the water, that had come from other lands, which was called a ship. For there truly were people beyond the water.
"And little Wang High-Sky was a very bright boy. He had a diamond in his brain. So he found a place to live in an awfully good family, and in the family was a little girl named Lucy.
"And he worked and worked and worked until he could do all things like the good family.