precious stones." Lauding the crow, they said to the traders, "Sirs, give us this fine crow, for we have need of it, and you shall get another in your own country." "Well, what sum will you give for it?" "Sell it to us for five pence." "No! we'll not let you have it at that price." Gradually the price went up, and they said, "We'll sell it for a hundred pence."
The others brought and gave them the hundred pence, saying, "This bird is of great use to us, so let there be friendship between you and us."
They took the crow and placed him in a golden cage, and looked well after him, supplying him with all sorts of fish, flesh, and also with various fruits.
In this place, where no other birds existed, the crow, though addicted to the ten evil practices, obtained the best of gifts and the highest honour.
Another time these traders caught a peacock-king, which they trained so that it uttered cries like a nymph, made sounds like the clapping of hands, and danced (to the accompaniment).
When the people flocked together the peacock, standing at the ship's head, flapped its wings, emitted sweet sounds, and danced. When the folks saw this they were highly delighted. "Sir, sell us that very lovely well-trained king of the birds," said they. They replied, "We first brought a crow here, you had that; now we have brought the peacock-king, and you ask for that too. We shall not be able to come into this district of yours if we have any birds."
"Well, be it so, sirs," said the others; "you shall get another in your own country. Sell us this bird." Having raised the price, they let them have it for one thousand pence.
Then these folks put the peacock into a cage, ornamented with the seven jewels, and they tended it carefully and supplied it with fish, flesh, fruits, &c., and also with sweet (parched) grain and sugar-water.[1] The peacock-king obtained the best gifts and the highest distinctions.
The crow not getting, as heretofore, its supply of hard and soft
- ↑ A kind of syrup.
