Page:Tales of the Punjab.pdf/221

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

THE GRAIN OF CORN 199

I can't get the grain of corn

To save my life from the farmer’s wife!’

But the King refused to kill the man; so the crow flew on to the Queen, and said—

‘Queen! Queen! coax King ;

King won't kill man ;

Man won't cut tree;

I can’t get the grain of corn

To save my life from the farmer's wife!’

But the Queen refused to coax the King; so the crow flew on till he met a snake, and said—

‘Snake! snake! bite Queen;

Queen won't coax King :

King won’t kill man ;

Man won't cut tree ;

I can't get the grain of corm

To save my life from the farmer's wife!’

But the snake refused to bite the Queen; so the crow flew on till he met a stick, and said—

‘Stick! stick! beat snake;

Snake won't bite Queen ;

Queen won't coax King ;

King won't kill man ;

Man won’t cut tree;

I can't get the grain of corn

To save my life from the farmer’s wife!’

But the stick refused to beat the snake; so the crow flew on till he saw a fire, and said—

‘Fire! fire! burn stick ;

Stick won’t beat snake ;

“Snake won't bite Queen ;