Once upon a time there was a little man with a crooked back who was
called the wise little bowman because he used his bow and arrow so
very well. This crooked little man said to himself: "If I go to the
king and ask him to let me join his army, he's sure to ask what a
little man like me is good for. I must find some great big man who
will take me as his page, and ask the king to take us." So the little
bowman went about the city looking for a big man.

One day he saw a big, strong man digging a ditch "What makes a fine
big man like you do such work?" asked the little man.

"I do this work because I can earn a living in no other way," said the
big man.

"Dig no more," said the bowman. "There is in this whole country no
such bowman as I am; but no king would let me join his army because I
am such a little man. I want you to ask the king to let you join the
army. He will take you because you are big and strong. I will do the
work that you are given to do, and we will divide the pay. In this way
we shall both of us earn a good living. Will you come with me and do
as I tell you?" asked the little bowman.

"Yes, I will go with you," said the big man.

So together they set out to go to the king. By and by they came to the
gates of the palace, and sent word to the king that a wonderful bowman
was there. The king sent for the bowman to come before him. Both the
big man and the little man went in and, bowing, stood before the king.

The king looked at the big man and asked, "What brings you here?"