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THE ENCHANTED PARROT
103

For who can know more than very little of anything?

Difficulties are removed by the eyes which beam with knowledge,

Just as darkness is dispelled by a lantern carried in the hand."

So in obedience to his daughter's wish, the minister invited the whole party to his house. They bathed and dined sumptuously and then were shown to their beds each in separate rooms. Then the minister's daughter went to the prince first and made overtures of love to him, at the same time asking him for £100. He replied, "I have no money with me but, if you will let me go home and fetch some, I will return and give it to you." She said, "Oh, no! that will not do for me, I must have it now," and went on to the Brâhman who made pretty much the same answer. So she next tried the carpenter. He said, "I have not got the money with me, but if you will wait I will gladly let you have £100." Declining to let the carpenter have credit she finally went to the merchant, and addressed herself to him. He replied, "I have not got any money, but here are four valuable jewels which you can have if you like," and he took them out of his trousers where they had been sewn up. She took them and saying, "Well! I must just go