"Why were you trailing your three-edged pike?" said King Solomon.
"Because, your Majesty," said the King-crab, "I saw that the Crayfish had shouldered his lance."
Immediately the Crayfish was sent for.
"Why did you shoulder your lance?" said the king.
"Because, your Majesty," said the Crayfish, "I saw the Otter coming down to the river to kill my children."
"Oh," said King Solomon, "if that is the case, the Otter killed the Otter's children. And the Mouse-deer cannot be blamed, by the law of the land!"
EARLY[24]
| I like to lie and wait to see |
| My mother braid her hair. |
| It is as long as it can be, |
| And yet she doesn't care. |
| I love my mother's hair. |
| And then the way her fingers go; |
| They look so quick and white,— |
| In and out, and to and fro, |
| And braiding in the light, |
| And it is always right. |
| So then she winds it, shiny brown, |
| Around her head into a crown, |
| Just like the day before. |
| And then she looks and pats it down, |
| And looks a minute more; |
| While I stay here all still and cool. |
| Oh, isn't morning beautiful? |