there was a King with a hollow inside his head, where
most people have their brains, and --"

"Is this a true story, Bilbil?"

"And the King with a hollow head could chatter words,
which had no sense, and laugh in a brainless manner at
senseless things. That part of the story is true
enough, Rinkitink."

"Then proceed with the tale, sweet Bilbil. Yet it is
hard to believe that any King could be brainless --
unless, indeed, he proved it by owning a talking goat."

Bilbil glared at him a full minute in silence.
Then he resumed his story:

"This empty-headed man was a King by accident, having
been born to that high station. Also the King was
empty-headed by the same chance, being born without
brains."

"Poor fellow!" quoth the King. "Did he own a talking
goat?"

"He did," answered Bilbil.

"Then he was wrong to have been born at all. Cheek-
eek-eek-eek, oo, hoo!" chuckled Rinkitink, his fat body
shaking with merriment. "But it's hard to prevent