"Ho-ho!" said the sultan; "Ho-ho! Invite the gazelle to come near."
Then three attendants ran to Keejeepaa and said: "Come, get up. The
sultan commands you to come near."
So the gazelle arose, picked up the diamond, and, approaching
the sultan, laid the jewel at his feet, saying, "Master, good
afternoon!" To which the sultan replied: "May God make it good! Come
near."
The sultan ordered his attendants to bring a carpet and a large
cushion, and desired the gazelle to rest upon them. When it protested
that it was comfortable as it was, he insisted, and Keejeepaa had
to allow himself to be made a very honored guest. Then they brought
milk and rice, and the sultan would hear nothing until the gazelle
had fed and rested.
At last, when everything had been disposed of, the sultan said,
"Well, now, my friend, tell me what news you bring."
And Keejeepaa said: "Master, I don't exactly know how you will like
the news I bring. The fact is, I'm sent here to insult you! I've come
to try and pick a quarrel with you! In fact, I'm here to propose a
family alliance with you!"
At this the sultan exclaimed: "Oh, come! for a gazelle, you certainly
know how to talk! Now, the fact of it is, I'm looking for some one
to insult me. I'm just aching to have some one pick a quarrel with
me. I'm impatient for a family alliance. Go on with your message."
Then Keejeepaa said, "You don't bear any ill will against me, who am
only a messenger?"