said the Rat, "come to my home, and call out, 'Rat!' and I will show
you where a great deal of money is buried near my home. It shall all
be yours."

Then the Parrot came, saying: "Father, silver and gold have I none,
but if you ever want choice rice, come to where I live and call,
'Parrot!' and I will call all my family and friends together, and we
will gather the choicest rice in the fields for you."

Last came the prince. In his heart he hated the poor man who had saved
his life. But he pretended to be as thankful as the animals had been,
saying, "Come to me when I am king, and I will give you great riches."
So saying, he went away.

Not long after this the prince's father died, and Prince Wicked was
made king. He was then very rich.

By and by the poor man said to himself: "Each of the four whose lives
I saved made a promise to me. I will see if they will keep their
promises."

First of all he went to the Snake, and standing near his hole, the
poor man called out, "Snake!"

At once the Snake darted forth, and with every mark of respect he
said: "Father, in this place there is much gold. Dig it up and take it
all."

"Very well," said the poor man. "When I need it, I will not forget."