by R. H. Barlow
There appeared one day in the market-place of Ulathia a most peculiar
fowl which fell exhausted from the skies. Its plumage was of brilliant
hue, and despite its confusion, a wise and knowing look was seen
within the orange eyes. After resting a moment, it fluttered about the
square, entering the various shops in a proprietary manner and finally
settled in that of a sweetmeat dealer. Soon all the tradesfolk hurried
across the cobble-stones to see this gaudy visitor and to feed it many
tid-bits. Not in the least bothered by its admiring audience, it
permitted its head to be scratched and petted as it ate.
In time, the news spread through the thatched houses to the ears of
the Imperial Council, all of which laid down their pens and came in a
body to view it. It was discovered by them greedily eating a preserved
orange-rind, a meal varied by occasional pecks at a nut. Having
already devoured odds and ends of all sorts, it was no longer hungry,
and even as they panted in, it fell asleep. When the crowd drew aside
to admit the rotund Council, it complained loudly.
"Gwarn arf 'n chase y'self!" commanded the half-awake bird. "Gwarn
arf," it repeated, fluttering its wings and adjusting for a nice nap.
It then uttered a rasping incoherency and dozed off placidly. The
people drew back whispering excitedly. "A demon!" averred one. This
brought a chorus of dissention among the others. "An angel.... Just a
trick.... Who ever heard of a bird talking?... A magician in
disguise.... What has happened?... Still thy tongue, neighbor...."
... The head of the Council, a gray-beard notoriously superstitious,
cleared his threat and a silence fell over all present. "My friends,"
he gurgled happily, "My _dear_ friends and fellow citizens! This is an
occasion of undoubted significance in the annals of our fair city,
equalled only by that of, as you doubtless will realize, early in the
reign of--rather; to continue; In other words, my dear friends," he
began over, unable to sustain the sentence any longer, "To make it
clear to all concerned, this is, I believe, and no one, I hope, would
contradict me, I have occasion to think--" Here his voice lowered to a
whisper and ended in a triumphant shout, "A _Messenger_ sent to guide
us!" He leered cheerfully at the mob. "Therefore, let us convey it in
state to the City Hall to rule us as it sees fit!"
Which was forthwith done amid much celebration, and the chattering of
the escaped parrot from that day guided the fortunes of the city of
Ulathia, interpreted by the Ruler and his Council as they desired.
* * * * *
Another tale in this series will appear next month.