"What does this mean, Friend Mouse-
deer?" he said. "Who killed my children
while you were taking care of them?"
"I am very sorry," said the Mouse-deer,
"but you know I am Chief Dancer of the
War-dance, and the Woodpecker came
and sounded the war-gong, so I danced.
I forgot your children, and trod on them."
"I shall go to King Solomon," said the
Otter, "and you shall be punished."
Soon the Mouse-deer was called before
King Solomon.
"Did you kill the Otter's babies?" said
the king.
"Yes, your Majesty," said the Mouse-
deer, "but I did not mean to."
"How did it happen?" said the king.
"Your Majesty knows," said the Mouse-
deer, "that I am Chief Dancer of the
War-dance. The Woodpecker came and
sounded the war-gong, and I had to dance;
and as I danced I trod on the Otter's
children."
"Send for the Woodpecker," said King
Solomon. And when the Woodpecker
came, he said to him, "Was it you who
sounded the war-gong?"
"Yes, your Majesty," said the Woodpecker,
"but I had to."
"Why?" said the king.
"Your Majesty knows," said the Woodpecker,
"that I am Chief Beater of the
War-gong, and I sounded the gong because
I saw the Great Lizard wearing his
sword."
"Send for the Great Lizard," said King
Solomon. When the Great Lizard came,
he asked him, "Was it you who were wearing
your sword?"
"Yes, your Majesty," said the Great
Lizard; "but I had to.
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