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THE CHILD AND THE KING OF THE GENII
There was a sheik who gave instruction to two talebs. One day they brought
to one of them a dish of _couscous_ with meat. The genius stole him
and bore him away. When they had arrived down there he taught him. One day
the child was crying. The King of the genii asked him, "Why do you cry?"
"I am crying for my father and my mother. I don't want to stay here any
longer."
The King asked his sons, "Who will take him back?"
"I," said one of them; "but how shall I take him back?"
"Carry him back after you have stuffed his ears with wool so that he shall
not hear the angels worshipping the Lord."
They had arrived at a certain place, the child heard the angels worshipping
the Lord, and did as they did. His guide released him and he remained three
days without awaking. When he came to himself, he took up his journey and
found a mother-dog which slept while her little ones barked, although yet
unborn. He proceeded and met next an ass attacked by a swarm of flies.
Further on he saw two trees, on one perched a blue bird.
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