I have had enough of being a bird for
one day."
"Most gracious lord, that dancing stork has undone us, for, since
laughing at her antics, I cannot remember the word that will restore
us to human shape."
So at last, in despair, the two unhappy birds wandered through the
meadows. They appeased their hunger with fruits, for they could not
bring themselves to eat frogs and lizards. As they dared not return to
Bagdad and tell the people their chagrin, they flew over the city, and
had the satisfaction of seeing signs of mourning and confusion. In a
few days, however, while sitting on the roof of a house, they saw a
splendid procession coming up the street, and the people welcoming the
new ruler. "Hail! Hail Mirza, ruler of Bagdad!" they shouted.
The procession came nearer. At the head of it the Caliph saw a man
dressed in scarlet and gold, riding a handsome horse. He at once
recognized the new ruler as the son of his worst enemy.
"Behold," said he, "the explanation of our enchantment! This is
the son of Kaschnur, the magician, who is my great enemy, who seeks
revenge. Let us not lose hope, but fly to the sacred grave of the
Prophet and pray to be released from the spell.
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