صفحة 425 من 626

This done, they were riding away well pleased, when up sprang a

fierce lion, and roared out, 'Whoever has stolen my roses shall

be eaten up alive!' Then the man said, 'I knew not that the

garden belonged to you; can nothing save my life?' 'No!' said the

lion, 'nothing, unless you undertake to give me whatever meets

you on your return home; if you agree to this, I will give you

your life, and the rose too for your daughter.' But the man was

unwilling to do so and said, 'It may be my youngest daughter, who

loves me most, and always runs to meet me when I go home.' Then

the servant was greatly frightened, and said, 'It may perhaps be

only a cat or a dog.' And at last the man yielded with a heavy

heart, and took the rose; and said he would give the lion

whatever should meet him first on his return.