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THE ENCHANTED PARROT


as the waves of the sea, continually shifting like the evening clouds; when they have gained their object they cast a man aside as a squeezed out rag. They enter a man's heart, and fill him with confusion, rage, deceit. What will not women accomplish ? '

" Now, my husband ! hear me. After your departure, for a time I kept you in remembrance, though there was separation between us. Then evil friends came by, and tried to lead me astray. This bird prevented my following after them, and held me back for seventy nights, by means of the stories which he told me. So I was prevented from following ray desires, and my designs of evil were not fulfilled. From to-day — whether in life or in death — you, my husband, shall be my chief object."

At the conclusion of this harangue, Madana turned to the Parrot and asked what in the world it all meant.

The Parrot answered: " Speech must not be uttered hastily by the wise; those who know what is right and proper, must act accordingly. Sir ! I say nothing of the foolish, drunkards, women, persons afflicted with disease, those in love, the weak, the wrathful. The mad, the careless, the timid, the starving, such as these have but few virtues. There are ten who know not the way of