A long time ago there lived a king who was famed for his wisdomthrough all the land. Nothing was hidden from him, and it seemed as ifnews of the most secret things was brought to him through the air.But he had a strange custom; every day after dinner, when the tablewas cleared, and no one else was present, a trusty servant had to bringhim one more dish. It was covered, however, and even the servant didnot know what was in it, neither did anyone know, for the king nevertook off the cover to eat of it until he was quite alone.
This had gone on for a long time, when one day the servant, who tookaway the dish, was overcome with such curiosity that he could not helpcarrying the dish into his room. When he had carefully locked the door,he lifted up the cover, and saw a white snake lying on the dish. Butwhen he saw it he could not deny himself the pleasure of tasting it,so he cut of a little bit and put it into his mouth. No sooner had ittouched his tongue than he heard a strange whispering of little voicesoutside his window. He went and listened, and then noticed that itwas the sparrows who were chattering together, and telling one anotherof all kinds of things which they had seen in the fields and woods.Eating the snake had given him power of understanding the language ofanimals.
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