No. 61
The Margōsa Tree
In a certain city there is a King, it is said. The King thought of growing a Margōsa tree without bitterness [in the fruit], so one day he made proclamation accordingly by beat of tom-toms.
While two friends of one village were coming to seek a means of subsistence they heard this sound of tom-toms. When they asked at the hand of a tom-tom beater, “What is the sound of tom-toms for?” he said, “What is it? His Majesty our King will give presents to any person who should grow and give him a Margōsa tree without bitterness.” One of the friends, saying, “I can [do it],” went to the royal palace.
“Canst thou grow and give me a Margōsa tree without bitterness?” the King asked.
“Yes, your Majesty,” he said.
“What things dost thou want for it?” the King asked.
“I want monthly a hundred-weight of sugar and a large pot of cow’s butter,” he said.
After that, the King asked, “Where wilt thou grow it?”
“I must grow it on the edge of a river,” he said.