"Well," said Brother Donkey, "I am going to eat them."
Then Brother Donkey, who had not eaten since morning, began to devour the thistles. Astonished at this, Mr. Lion said to Brother Donkey:
"I think you are the most extraordinary creature I ever saw, and I want you to be recognized as King of the Lions. Do you consent?"
"With pleasure," Brother Donkey replied.
The next day, or shortly thereafter, a convention of all the lions was held, and Brother Donkey was elected king without any opposition whatever. He reigned over them many years, and he was the better able to do this from the fact that he never disputed with his subjects over their prey. Brother Donkey ate his thistles and the lions ate their fresh meat, and all was peace in that country.
XIII
THE VIZIER, THE MONKEY, THE
LION, AND THE SERPENT
Once on a time a ruler who was the king of men, as well as the king of beasts, called his Vizier, Rustem, to whom he had confided the education of his only son, and said:
"Tell me, does my son follow your advice, and does he give promise of making a worthy successor of his father?"