The Fairy School of Castle Frank Part 4

"Who is next?" enquired the king.

"Crafticus, come forward," cried old Primeval.

There was a movement among the beasts as of someone pus.h.i.+ng his way, and then there came out from among them a snow-white fox with a bushy tail. He walked forward with bowed head till he stood before the great m.u.f.fler, who looked down at him sternly and haughtily.

"Stand up," commanded the king.

Crafticus stood on his hind legs, and his eyes blinked because of the light from the ruby, which made him look as if covered with blood.

"State the charge," said the king turning to his counsellor.

"Crafticus," said Primeval solemnly, "you are charged with wilfully slaying Awkwardibus, the king's gander, last night up beside Lake Snow among the Topaz Hills. What have you got to say in self-defence?"

"I did not know that the gander was the king's," replied the fox in a humble tone.

"Crafticus, you must have known, knowing that the king's ganders and geese are green, while all the others are gray, black, and white," and the counsellor thought he had promptly caught the fox, and that the king would be highly pleased.

But Crafticus replied--"There was a storm up there last night, and the gander was covered with snow--in my eyes he was white."

Old Primeval looked perplexed and annoyed.

But king m.u.f.fler laughed and his mane shook. "Crafticus is clever,"

said he. "I know something myself about the case, nevertheless call for witnesses."

"There is but one witness, O king, and that is the gander's widow."

"Call her," said the king.

"Stupidify, come to the front," cried the counsellor.

The green goose waddled up before the king, napped her wings, cackled, and screamed hysterically.

"Be silent, you idiot, don't you see the king?" Primeval shouted between her cries.

"Where?" replied the goose, looking around her confused.

"There," said Primeval emphatically, pointing his emerald club at m.u.f.fler's nose.

"Oh yes, I think I see him," cried the goose through her tears. "But I thought the king was like my lovely husband. Oh dear me," and she cried bitterly.

King m.u.f.fler cast his eyes down towards her with pity and contempt.

"Stupidify," said Primeval gravely, "was there a fall of snow last night?"

"What? What?" enquired the goose.

"Are you deaf, you silly creature?" cried Primeval angrily. "Was there not a fall of snow last night?" He wanted to frighten her into saying there was, for he thought the king admired the fox and wished him to escape.

"Be patient, be patient," said king m.u.f.fler, "my counsellor's conduct should be dignified. Be gentle with the poor widow."

"Pardon me, O king," replied Primeval bowing low. Then turning to the goose he enquired,

"Are you deaf, dear?"

"Yes, sir," answered she, and receiving such sympathy she screamed loudly; which was rather annoying to m.u.f.fler's ears, for they jerked as if wasps were at their tips.

When the goose quieted down, Primeval asked: "You don't think of course there was any snow last night, my dear?" He wanted to coax her to say there wasn't, for he now thought the king was in her favor.

"I don't remember," answered Stupidify; and Primeval scratched his head in disgust, while the king gave a m.u.f.fled laugh.

"O king m.u.f.fler," said Primeval, "I can proceed no further, for the green goose is no use as a witness. Is the explanation given by Crafticus satisfactory? Does he go free?"

"No," replied the king, "his explanation is cunning, but untrue. I went to the top of the Topaz Mountain last night to get nearer the ear of the man in the moon, in order to invite him down to see me and my country. He did not seem to hear me, although I roared and shouted at him all night, and during the time I was there not a flake of snow fell. Therefore my judgment is that Crafticus did know that Awkwardibus the gander was mine, for it was green and nothing else all the time. Crafticus, I do therefore sentence you to leave your wife and children, with all the rest of the Craftikites, and to stay with widow Stupidify in my barn and its near surroundings, and to provide food and comfort for her as long as she lives."

This was a deep humiliation, and Crafticus howled with shame and disgust. When he moved away from the king's presence with the fat goose waddling by his side, all the hyenas laughed and laughed. And this was so vexing to him that he slyly turned his head toward Stupidify and showed her all his teeth in anger.

So they walked away in the direction of the king's barn, which was to be their home when they were not out in search of food.

That night before the goose came in, Crafticus thought and thought how he could get rid of Stupidify. At last he rose up and sniffed through the dried gra.s.s in search of Furrier, the black cat.

Furrier was asleep; but Crafticus nipped his left ear gently, and he awoke with a yawn and stretched out his claws.

"What do you want?" said he, looking up.

"I wish you to help me to get rid of that hateful goose, dear Furrier."

"I am afraid of the king," replied the cat.

"You needn't, you will be quite safe. I have a cunning plan, but I need your help, and I will reward you well."

[Ill.u.s.tration: CRAFTICUS. "I have a cunning plan."]

Crafticus then told his plan, and Purrier agreed and went out to meet the goose, while the fox lay down in a low broad box, as if fast asleep.

"Hail, Stupidify, lovely fat goose," cried Furrier, when he met her and saw her by the light of the moon.

"Joy be with you, dear sooty cat."

"Has Crafticus provided any food for you to-day?"

"Not a single speck, and I have been searching till now and have scarcely got any--this place is new to me, as you know."

"Oh my poor dear goose, how sorry I am."