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The Pet Whale.
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were allowed to come forth, they found the open places piled up high to the tops of the storehouses with heaps of fish that had fallen in a shower from the skies as an answer to the spell of Tini. Then Tini, with his wife and child, returned home. The boy had not passed through the ceremonies necessary at the birth and acknowledgement of a noble’s son, so Tini induced a great priest or magician named Kae to accompany them on their return journey.

On the day after they arrived, Tini sent out messengers in every direction to summon his vassals and people together to witness the ceremonies, and all the people assembled for that purpose. Then the boy had magical songs chanted over him. He was sprinkled with water, and the sacred branch planted, that it might grow into a tree, as should befit the rank of an illustrious person. When all the rites had been performed, the people dispersed to their homes, and Kae also desired to return to his own place. Tini ordered a large canoe, with suitable attendants, to be got ready; but Kae was disinclined to travel in this fashion, and said to the Lord of Fishes, “Where is that pet whale on which you journey?” Tini said, “That is my own valued property; you cannot have it, because it might get hurt.” Kae