So he took the paddle; but there was no need to paddle, for the
water flowed steadily past all the islands till they came to the
place called Pusat Tasek--the Heart of the Sea--where the great
hollow is that leads down to the heart of the world, and in that
hollow grows the Wonderful Tree, Pauh Janggi, that bears the magic
twin nuts. Then the Eldest Magician slid his arm up to the shoulder
through the deep warm water, and under the roots of the Wonderful
Tree he touched the broad back of Pau Amma the Crab. And Pau Amma
settled down at the touch, and all the Sea rose up as water rises
in a basin when you put your hand into it.

'Ah!' said the Eldest Magician. 'Now I know who has been playing
with the Sea;' and he called out, 'What are you doing, Pau Amma?'

And Pau Amma, deep down below, answered, 'Once a day and once a
night I go out to look for my food. Once a day and once a night I
return. Leave me alone.'

Then the Eldest Magician said, 'Listen, Pau Amma. When you go out
from your cave the waters of the Sea pour down into Pusat Tasek,
and all the beaches of all the islands are left bare, and the
little fish die, and Raja Moyang Kaban, the King of the
Elephants, his legs are made muddy. When you come back and sit in
Pusat Tasek, the waters of the Sea rise, and half the little
islands are drowned, and the Man's house is flooded, and Raja
Abdullah, the King of the Crocodiles, his mouth is filled with
the salt water.

Then Pau Amma, deep down below, laughed and said, 'I did not know
I was so important. Henceforward I will go out seven times a day,