“And why should the king make such a present to a simpleton like you?” the monkey asked.
“I, whom you call a simpleton,” said the rabbit, “got this horse and this elegant coat by sneezing under the king’s golden throne.” Then he rode away.
The monkey fell a-thinking how nice it would be if he could get a fine coat and a horse. “I can sneeze,” said he. “Why shouldn’t I try my luck?”
Off he scampered to the king’s palace, and hid beneath the king’s golden throne. Soon the king and his courtiers came in, all richly arrayed, and the monkey sneezed in the most auspicious manner he could contrive.
“Who is that?” thundered the king, glaring about him. “Who has the bad manners to sneeze in the king’s presence?”
They searched till they found the monkey hidden under the throne, and hauled him out.
“Wily tree-climber,” said the king, “have you any gift for me that might cause me not to bid the executioner to cut off your head?”
The monkey pondered a few moments in fear and trembling, and then stammered, “O king, I have some banana peels and pellets of paper.”
This reply only increased the king’s wrath, and the unfortunate monkey was led away to be executed.