Page:The jade story book; stories from the Orient (IA jadestorybooksto00cous).pdf/67

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PUNCHKIN
51

cried, "Give me my parrot!" Off came the second wing, and the Magician's left arm fell to the ground.

On his knees he begged, "Give me my parrot!" Then the Prince pulled off the right leg, and the Magician's right leg fell off. The parrot's left leg came off, and at once Punchkin's left leg fell down.

And now there remained only the Magician's body and head, but still he cried, "Give me my parrot!"

"Take your parrot, then," said the boy, and with this he wrung the bird's neck and threw it at what was left of the Magician. As the parrot's neck was wrung, Punchkin's head twisted around, and with a groan, he fell dead.

Then they released Balna from the tower, and all of them returned to their own palace; and it can be imagined with what joy the seven husbands and seven wives and their nephew met again.