"'Once there was a certain king who kept an astrologer to forewarn him of coming events, and especially to tell him whether it was going to rain when he wished to go on hunting expeditions. One day he had started for the forest with his train of lords and ladies, when he met a farmer.
"'"Good morning, farmer," said the king.
"'"Good morning, king," said the farmer; "where are you folks going?"
"'"Hunting," said the king.
"'"Hunting! You'll all get wet," said the farmer.
"'The king trusted his astrologer and kept on, but at midday there came up a tremendous rain that drenched the king and all his party.
"'On getting back to the palace the king had the astrologer decapitated, and sent for the farmer to take his place.
"'"Law's sakes!" said the farmer, when he arrived, "it ain't me that knows when it's going to rain, it's my donkey. When it's going to be fair weather, he always carries his ears forward, so. When it's going to rain, he puts 'em backward, so."
"'"Make the donkey the court astrologer!" shouted the king.
"'It was done; but the king always declared that that appointment was the greatest mistake he ever made in his life.'