Page:The jade story book; stories from the Orient (IA jadestorybooksto00cous).pdf/117

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PIGEON AND MOUSE
101

set himself to the great task of cutting all their bonds, and in time all were free.

The Mouse-king then entertained them as hospitably as he could. The Pigeon-king and his followers thanked him for his great kindness, and Golden-skin embraced them all, after which he returned to his hole and the pigeons departed.

You may be sure that the young pigeons decided that the older ones were wiser in counsel than they, and to be more careful when "daring" their fellows.