had found the crowns. And Vardiello replied, "I found them in a
palace, inside a dumb man, when it rained raisins and dried figs."
At this the judge stared with amazement; but instantly seeing how
the matter stood, he decreed that Vardiello should be sent to a
madhouse, as the most competent tribunal for him. Thus the
stupidity of the son made the mother rich, and the mother's wit
found a remedy for the foolishness of the son: whereby it is clearly
seen that--

"A ship when steered by a skilful hand
Will seldom strike upon rock or sand."



V

THE FLEA

Resolutions taken without thought bring disasters without remedy.
He who behaves like a fool repents like a wise man; as happened
to the King of High-Hill, who through unexampled folly
committed an act of madness putting in jeopardy both his daughter
and his honour.

Once upon a time the King of High-Hill being bitten by a flea
caught him by a wonderful feat of dexterity; and seeing how
handsome and stately he was he had not the conscience to sentence
him to death. So he put him into a bottle, and feeding him every
day himself the little animal grew at such a rate that at the end of
seven months it was necessary to shift his quarters, for he was