THE BUTTERFLY THAT STAMPED

  THIS,OmyBestBeloved,isastory--anewandawonderfulstory--astoryquitedifferentfromtheotherstories--astoryaboutTheMostWiseSnSuleiman-bin-Daoud--SolomontheSonofDavid.

  Therearethreehundredandfifty-fivestoriesaboutSuleiman-bin-Daoud;butthisisnotohem.ItisnotthestoryoftheLapwingwhofouer;ortheHoopoewhoshadedSuleimanbin-Daoudfromtheheat.ItisnotthestoryoftheGlassPavement,ortheRubywiththeCrookedHole,oldBarsofBalkis.ItisthestoryoftheButterflythatStamped.

  Nowattendallainandlisten!

  Suleiman-bin-Daoudwaswise.Heuoodwhatthebeastssaid,whatthebirdssaid,whatthefishessaid,andwhattheissaid.Heuoodwhattherockssaiddeepuheearthwhentheybowedintowardseachroaned;andheuoodwhatthetreessaidwhentheyrustledinthemiddleofthem.Heuoodeverything,fromthebishoponthebenchtothehyssoponthewall,andBalkis,hisHeadQueeBeautifulQueenBalkis,wasnearlyaswiseashewas.

  Suleiman-bin-Daoudwasstrong.Upohirdfiherighthandhew.Wheuronce,AfritsandDjinnscameOutoftheearthtodowhateverhetoldthem.Wheurwice,Fairiescamedownfromtheskytodowhateverhetoldthem;aurhreetimes,theverygreatangelAzraeloftheSwordcamedressedasawater-carrier,andtoldhimthenewsofthethreeworlds,--Above--Below--andHere.

  ASuleiman-bin-Daoudwasnotproud.Heveryseldomshowedoff,andwhenhedidhewassorryforit.Oriedtofeedalltheanimalsinalltheworldinoneday,butwhenthefoodwasreadyanAnimalcameoutofthedeepseaaupinthreemouthfuls.Suleiman-bin-Daoudwasverysurprisedandsaid,OAnimal,whoareyou?AndtheAnimalsaid,OKing,liveforever!Iamthesmallestofthirtythousandbrothers,andourhomeisatthebottomofthesea.Weheardthatyoingtofeedalltheanimalsinalltheworld,andmybrothersseoaskwhendinnerwouldbeready.Suleiman-bin-Daoudwasmoresurprisedthaneverandsaid,OAnimal,youhaveeatenallthedihatImadereadyforalltheanimalsintheworld.AndtheAnimalsaid,OKing,liveforever,butdoyoureallycallthatadinner?WhereIefromweeacheattwiceasmuchasthatbetweenmeals.ThenSuleiman-bin-Daoudfellflatonhisfadsaid,OAnimal!IgavethatdioshowwhatagreatandrigIwas,andnotbecauseIreallywaobekindtotheanimals.NowIamashamed,anditservesmeright.

  Suleiman-bin-DaoudwasareallytrulywisemaBeloved.

  Afterthatheneverfotthatitwassillytoshowoff;andnowtherealstorypartofmystins.

  Hemarriedeversomanywifes.Hemarriedninehundredandy-ninewives,besidestheMostBeautifulBalkis;andtheyalllivedigoldenpalathemiddleofalovelygardenwithfountains.Hedidntreallywantnine-hundredandy-ninewives,butinthosedayseverybodymarriedeversomanywives,andofcoursetheKinghadtomarryeversomanymorejusttoshowthathewastheKing.

  Someofthewivesweresomeweresimplyhorrid,andthehorridonesquarrelledwiththeniesandmadethemhorridtoo,aheywouldallquarrelwithSuleiman-bin-Daoud,andthatwashorridforhim.ButBalkistheMostBeautifulneverquarrelledwithSuleiman-bin-Daoud.Shelovedhimtoomuch.ShesatinherroomsintheGoldenPalace,orwalkedinthePalacegarden,andwastrulysorryforhim.

  OfcourseifhehadchosentoturnhisringonhisfingerandcalluptheDjinnsandtheAfritstheywouldhavemagickedallthoseninehundredandy-ninequarrelsomewivesintowhitemulesofthedesertreyhoundsorpomegranateseeds;butSuleiman-bin-Daoudthoughtthatthatwouldbeshowingoff.So,whentheyquarrelledtoomuch,heonlywalkedbyhimselfiofthebeautifulPalacegardensandwishedhehadneverbeenborn.

  Oneday,whentheyhadquarrelledforthreeweeks--allninehundredandy-ninewivestogether--Suleiman-bin-Daoudwentoutforpeadquietasusual;andamongtheetreeshemetBalkistheMostBeautiful,verysorrowfulbecauseSuleiman-bin-Daoudwassoworried.Andshesaidtohim,OmyLordandLightofmyEyes,turntheringuponyerandshowtheseQueeandMesopotamiaandPersiaandathatyouarethegreatandterribleKing.ButSuleiman-bin-Daoudshookhisheadandsaid,OmyLadyandDelightofmyLife,remembertheAnimalthatcameoutoftheseaandmademeashamedbeforealltheanimalsinalltheworldbecauseIshowedoff.Now,ifIshowedoffbeforetheseQueensofPersiaaandAbyssiniaanda,merelybecausetheyworryme,ImightbemadeevenmoreashamedthanIhavebeen.

  AndBalkistheMostBeautifulsaid,OmyLordandTreasureofmySoul,whatwillyoudo?

  AndSuleiman-bin-Daoudsaid,OmyLadyandtentofmyHeart,Ishalltioenduremyfateatthehandsoftheseninehundredandy-nineQueenswhovexmewiththeirtinualquarrelling.

  Sohewentoweentheliliesandtheloquatsandtherosesandtheasandtheheavy-stedginger-plantsthatgrewinthegarden,tillhecametothegreatcamphor-treethatwascalledtheCamphorTreeofSuleiman-bin-Daoud.ButBalkishidamoallirisesatedbamboosandtheredlilliesbehindthecamphor-tree,soastobenearherowntruelove,Suleiman-bin-Daoud.

  PresentlytwoButterfliesflewuhetree,quarrelling.

  Suleiman-bin-Daoudheardootheother,Iwoyourpresumptionintalkinglikethistome.DontyouknowthatifIstampedwithmyfootallSuleiman-bin-DaoudsPaladthisgardenherewouldimmediatelyvanishinaclapofthunder.

  ThenSuleiman-bin-Daoudfothisninehundredandy-hersomewives,andlaughed,tillthecamphor-treeshook,attheButterflysboast.Andheheldouthisfingerandsaid,Littleman,ehere.

  TheButterflywasdreadfullyfrightened,buthemaoflyuptothehandofSuleiman-bin-Daoud,andgthere,fanninghimself.Suleiman-bin-Daoudbenthisheadandwhisperedverysoftly,Littleman,youknowthatallyourstampingwouldntbendonebladeofgrass.Whatmadeyoutellthatawfulfibtoyourwife?--fordoubtlesssheisyourwife.

  TheButterflylookedatSuleiman-bin-DaoudandsawthemostwiseKiwinklelikestarsonafrostynight,andhepickeduphiscewithbothwings,ahisheadononesideandsaid,OKing,liveforever.Sheismywife;andyouknoivesarelike.

  Suleiman-bin-Daoudsmiledinhisbeardandsaid,Yes,Iknow,littlebrother.

  Okeeptheminordersomehow,saidtheButterfly,andshehasbeenquarrellingwithmeallthem.Isaidthattoquiether.

  AndSuleiman-bin-Daoudsaid,Mayitquiether.Gobacktoyourwife,littlebrother,amehearwhatyousay.

  BackflewtheButterflytohiswife,whowasallofatwitterbehindaleaf,andshesaid,Heheardyou!Suleiman-bin-Daoudhimselfheardyou!

  Heardme!saidtheButterfly.Ofcoursehedid.Imeanthimtohearme.

  Andwhatdidhesay?Oh,whatdidhesay?

  Well,saidtheButterfly,fanninghimselfmostimportantly,betweenyouandme,mydear--ofcourseIdontblamehim,becausehisPalacemusthavecostagreatdealandtheesarejustripening,--heaskedmenottostamp,andIpromisedIwouldnt.

  Gracious!saidhiswife,andsatquitequiet;butSuleiman-bin-DaoudlaughedtillthetearsrandownhisfaceattheimpudehebadlittleButterfly.

  BalkistheMostBeautifulstoodupbehireeamongtheredliliesandsmiledtoherself,forshehadheardallthistalk.

  Shethought,IfIamwiseIyetsavemyLordfromthepersecutionsofthesequarrelsomeQueens,andsheheldoutherfingerandwhisperedsoftlytotheButterflysWife,Littlewoman,ehere.UpflewtheButterflysWife,veryfrightened,andgtoBalkisswhitehand.

  Balkisbentherbeautifulheaddownandwhispered,Littlewoman,doyoubelievewhatyourhusbandhasjustsaid?

  TheButterflysWifelookedatBalkis,andsawthemostbeautifulQueenseyesshininglikedeeppoolswithstarlightonthem,andshepickeduphercewithbothwingsandsaid,OQueen,belovelyforever.Youknowwhatmen-folkarelike.

  AndtheQueenBalkis,theWiseBalkisofSheba,putherhandtoherlipstohideasmileandsaid,Littlesister,Iknow.

  Theygetangry,saidtheButterflysWife,fanningherselfquickly,overnothingatall,butwemusthumourthem,OQueen.

  Theynevermeanhalftheysay.IfitpleasesmyhusbandtobelievethatIbelievehemakeSuleiman-bin-DaoudsPalacedisappearbystampinghisfoot,ImsureIdontcare.Hellfetallaboutitto-morrow.

  Littlesister,saidBalkis,youarequiteright;butimehebeginstoboast,takehimathisword.Askhimtostamp,awillhappen.Weknowwhatmen-folkarelike,dontwe?Hellbeverymuchashamed.

  AwayflewtheButterflysWifetoherhusband,andinfivemiheywerequarrellingworsethanever.

  Remember!saidtheButterfly.RememberwhatIdoifIstampmyfoot.

  Idontbelieveyouolebit,saidtheButterflysWife.

  Ishouldverymuchliketoseeitdone.Supposeyoustampnow.

  IpromisedSuleiman-bin-DaoudthatIwouldnt,saidtheButterfly,andIdontwanttobreakmypromise.

  Itwouldntmatterifyoudid,saidhiswife.Youcouldntbendabladeofgrasswithyourstamping.Idareyoutodoit,

  shesaid.Stamp!Stamp!Stamp!

  Suleiman-bin-Daoud,sittinguhecamphor-tree,heardeverywordofthis,andhelaughedashehadneverlaughedinhislifebefore.HefotallabouthisQueens;hefotallabouttheAnimalthatcameoutofthesea;hefotaboutshowingoff.Hejustlaughedwithjoy,andBalkis,ohersideofthetree,smiledbecauseherowntruelovewassojoyful.

  PresentlytheButterfly,veryhotandpuffy,camewhirlingbadertheshadowofthecamphor-treeandsaidtoSuleimasmetostamp!Shewantstoseewhatwillhappen,OSuleiman-bin-Daoud!YouknowItdoit,andnowshellneverbelieveawordIsay.Shelllaughatmetotheendofmydays!

  No,littlebrother,saidSuleiman-bin-Daoud,shewillneverlaughatyouagain,aurheringonhisfinger--justforthelittleButterflyssake,notforthesakeofshowingoff,--and,loandbehold,feDjinnscameoutoftheearth!

  Slaves,saidSuleiman-bin-Daoud,whenthisgentlemanonmyfihatwaswheretheimpudentButterflywassitting)stampshisleftfrontforefootyouwillmakemyPaladthesegardensdisappearinaclapofthunder.Wheampsagainyouwillbringthembackcarefully.

  Now,littlebrother,hesaid,gobacktoyourwifeandstampallyouveamindto.

  AwayflewtheButterflytohiswife,whowasg,Idareyoutodoit!Idareyoutodoit!Stamp!Stampno!BalkissawthefourvastDjinnsstoopdowntothefourersofthegardenswiththePalathemiddle,andsheclappedherhandssoftlyandsaid,AtlastSuleiman-bin-DaoudwilldoforthesakeofaButterflywhatheoughttohavedonelongagoforhisownsake,andthequarrelsomeQueenswillbefrightened!

  Thethebutterflystamped.TheDjinnsjerkedthePaladthegardensathousandmilesintotheair:therewasamostawfulthunder-clap,ahinggrewinky-black.TheButterflysWifeflutteredaboutinthedark,g,Oh,Illbegood!ImsosorryIspoke.Onlybringthegardensback,mydeardarlinghusband,andIllnevertradictagain.

  TheButterflywasnearlyasfrightenedashiswife,andSuleiman-bin-DaoudlaughedsomuchthatitwasseveralminutesbeforehefouhenoughtowhispertotheButterfly,Stampagain,littlebrivemebackmyPalace,mostgreatmagi.

  Yes,givehimbackhisPalace,saidtheButterflysWife,stillflyingaboutinthedarklikeamoth.GivehimbackhisPaladdoshaveanymorehorrid.magic.Well,mydear,saidtheButterflyasbravelyashecould,youseewhatyinghasledto.Ofcourseitdoesntmakeanydiffereome--Imusedtothiskindofthing--butasafavourtoyouandtoSuleiman-bin-DaoudIdontmindputtingthingsright.

  Sohestampedoncemore,andthatinstanttheDjidownthePaladthegardens,withoutevenabump.Thesunshohedark-greeneleaves;thefountainsplayedamongthepiianlilies;thebirdswentonsinging,aerflysWifelayonhersideuhecamphor-treewagglingherwingsandpanting,Oh,Illbegood!Illbegood!

  Suleiman-bin-Daolldcouldhardlyspeakfhing.Heleanedbackallweakandhiccoughy,andshookhisfiheButterflyandsaid,Ogreatwizard,whatisthesenseofreturningtomemyPalaceifatthesametimeyouslaymewithmirth!

  Theerriblenoise,foralltheninehundredandy-nineQueensranoutofthePalaceshriekingandshoutingandcallingfortheirbabies.Theyhurrieddownthegreatmarblestepsbelowthefountain,onehundredabreast,aWiseBalkiswentstatelilyforwardtomeetthemandsaid,Whatisyourtrouble,OQueens?

  Theystoodonthemarblestepsonehundredabreastandshouted,Whatisourtrouble?Wewerelivingpeacefullyinoldenpalace,asisour,whenuponasuddenthePalacedisappeared,andwewereleftsittinginathidnoisomedarkness;anditthundered,andDjinnsandAfritsmovedaboutinthedarkhatisourtrouble,OHeadQueen,andwearemostextremelytroubledonatofthattrouble,foritwasatroublesometrouble,uroublewehaveknown.

  ThenBalkistheMostBeautifulQueen--Suleiman-bin-DaoudsVeryBestBeloved--QueenthatwasofShebaandSableandtheRiversoftheGoldoftheSouth--fromtheDesertofZinntotheTowersofZimbabwe--Balkis,almostaswiseastheMostWiseSuleiman-bin-Daoudhimself,said,Itisnothing,OQueens!AButterflyhasmadeplaintagainsthiswifebecauseshequarrelledwithhim,andithaspleasedourLordSuleiman-bin-Daoudtoteachheralessoninlow-speakingandhumbleness,forthatistedavirtueamongthewivesofthebutterflies.

  ThenupandspokeaiahedaughterofaPharoah--andshesaid,OurPalanotbepluckedupbytherootslikealeekforthesakeofalittlei.No!Suleiman-bin-Daoudmustbedead,andwhatweheardandsawwastheearththunderinganddarkeningatthenews.

  ThenBalkisbeedthatboldQueenwithoutlookingather,andsaidtoherandtotheothers,eandsee.

  Theycamedownthemarblesteps,onehundredabreast,ahhiscamphor-tree,stillweakwithlaughing,theysawtheMostWiseKingSuleiman-bin-DaoudrogbadforthwithaButterflyoherhand,andtheyheardhimsay,Owifeofmybrotherintheair,rememberafterthis,topleaseyourhusbandinallthings,lesthebeprovokedtostamphisfootyetagain;forhehassaidthatheisusedtothismagidheismostemilyagreatmagi--onewhostealsawaytheveryPalaceofSuleirnan-bin-Daoudhimself.Goinpeace,littlefolk!Andhekissedthemonthewings,andtheyflewaway.

  ThenalltheQueensexceptBalkis--theMostBeautifulandSplendidBalkis,whostoodapartsmiling--fellflatontheirfaces,fortheysaid,IfthesethingsaredonewhenaButterflyisdispleasedwithhiswife,whatshallbedoouswhohavevexedwithourloud-speakingandopenquarrellingthroughmanydays?

  Thetheirveilsovertheirheads,atheirhandsovertheirmouths,aiptoedbacktothePalaousy-quiet.

  ThenBalkis--TheMostBeautifulandExcellentBalkis--wentforwardthroughtheredliliesintotheshadeofthecamphor-treeandlaidherhanduponSuleiman-bin-Daoudsshoulderandsaid,OmyLordandTreasureofmySoul,rejoice,forwehavetaughttheQueeahiopiaandAbyssiniaandPersiaandIndiaandawithagreatandamemorableteag.

  AndSuleiman-bin-Daoud,stilllookingaftertheButterflieswheretheyplayedinthesunlight,said,OmyLadyandJewelofmyFelicity,whendidthishappen?ForIhavebeeingwithaButterflyeversinceIcameintothegarden.AoldBalkiswhathehaddone.

  Balkis--ThetenderandMostLovelyBalkis--said,OmyLordaofmyExistence,Ihidbehindthecamphor-treeandsawitall.ItwasIwhotoldtheButterflysWifetoasktheButterflytostamp,becauseIhopedthatforthesakeofthejestmyLordwouldmakesomegreatmagidthattheQueenswouldseeitandbefrightened.AoldhimwhattheQueenshadsaidandseenandthought.

  ThenSuleiman-bin-Daoudroseupfromhisseatuhecamphor-tree,andstretchedhisarmsandrejoidsaid,OmyLadyaenerofmyDays,knowthatifIhadmadeamagicagainstmyQueensforthesakeofprideer,asImadethatfeastforalltheanimals,Ishouldcertainlyhavebeenputtoshame.ButbymeansofyourwisdomImadethemagicforthesakeofajestandforthesakeofalittleButterfly,and--behold--ithasalsodeliveredmefromthevexationsofmyvexatiouswives!Tellme,therefore,OmyLadyaofmyHeart,howdidyouetobesowise?AndBalkistheQueeifulandtall,lookedupintoSuleiman-bin-Daoudseyesandputherheadalittleononeside,justliketheButterfly,andsaid,First,OmyLord,becauseIlovedyou;andsedly,OmyLord,becauseIknoomen-folkare.

  ThentheywentuptothePaladlivedhappilyeverafterwards.

  ButwasntitcleverofBalkis?THEREwasneveraQueenlikeBalkis,

  Fromheretothewideworldsend;

  ButBalkistailedtoabutterfly

  Asyouwouldtalktoafriend.

  TherewasneveraKinglikeSolomon,

  Notsiheworldbegan;

  ButSolomontalkedtoabutterfly

  Asamanwouldtalktoaman.

  ShewasQueenofSabaea--

  AndhewasAsiasLord--

  Buttheybothofemtalkedtobutterflies

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