At these words from his minister the King was filled with fear. He thought with terror of the precious time that had already passed, and with tears in his eyes he said:

"Wise friend! you have announced to me the misfortunes that are in store for me; who but you can tell me how to provide a remedy?"

"Remember, your Majesty," said the minister, "that naked and in poverty you came upon this island, and naked and in poverty you must leave it. There is but one way for you to avoid the misfortunes that threaten you. You must send to the island to which you are to be exiled a number of workmen and order them to construct vast storehouses and fill them with such provisions as seem to you necessary for sustaining life. You must prepare for the inevitable. Go quickly to work, for time presses. Time is approaching, time is passing away, and you must remember that you will only find at the place of exile the treasures you will be able to send there during the remaining few days of your reign."

The King thanked his minister, and resolved to follow the wise man's advice. Workmen of experience were despatched to the Island of Exile, and it was not long before a vast palace was built. The King conveyed an abundance of treasure there, and a thousand men were sent to render the island more inhabitable.

The day came when the King was to leave his throne; but, far from regretting it, he sighed for the hour when he would be able to take possession of his new estates. He was banished from the throne, divested of his royal robes, and sent on board a ship that conveyed him to the Island of Exile.

Having provided himself a place of refuge, he lived long and happily there.

VIII
BROTHER TIGER AND DADDY
SHEEP

During the time when the animals could talk, Daddy Sheep was the terror of all the plains and the woods. When he walked abroad, with his sharp horns hanging on his head, the creatures that met him saluted him with the utmost politeness, and then ran away, glad to escape with their lives. In order for Daddy Sheep to have such a reputation as this, it would seem to be necessary that he had made a great many victims, devouring some with his teeth, and tearing others with his terrible horns; but in regard to these matters I am not able to testify. I am of the opinion, moreover, that old Mammy Sheep, who knew him well, could not say any more. She and her friends, and, indeed, all the other animals, justified the proverb that is applied to those who are lazy and cowardly: "It is better to believe what you hear than to go and investigate the matter." As often happens, the repetition of a statement gives it currency, and all the creatures came to believe that Daddy Sheep was as terrible as rumor had described him to be.