"Who claims it for him?" asked Popocatepetl. "He claims it for himself," responded the eagle. "Well, summon him. Let us see. He is doubtless a kind little animal, and when he sees my distress he will invent something." "Good!" The eagle flew until he discovered one of these small creatures. "Oh, tiny animal, the great chief Popocatepetl summons you!" "Does he, indeed!" "Popocatepetl, the great chief," said the eagle again, thinking that the little animal had not heard rightly. "Well, and why does he summon me?" "Because he is in distress, and he needs your assistance." The little animal reflected for a time, and then said, "I will go." When Popocatepetl perceived the little animal and the eagle he stretched forth his great, solemn arms. "Oh, blessed little animal with two arms, two legs, a head, and a very brave air, help me in my agony. Behold I, Popocatepetl, who saw the King of Everything fashioning the stars, I, who knew the sun in his childhood, I, Popocatepetl, appeal to you, little animal. I am hungry." After a while the little animal asked: "How much will you pay?" "Pay?" said Popocatepetl. "Pay?" said the eagle. "Assuredly," quoth the little animal, "pay!" "But," demanded Popocatepetl, "were you never hungry? I tell you I am hungry, and is your first word then 'pay'?" The little animal turned coldly away. "Oh, Popocatepetl, how much wisdom has flown past you since you saw the King of Everything fashioning the stars and since you knew the sun in his childhood? I said pay, and, moreover, your distress measures my price. It is our law. Yet it is true that we did not see the King of Everything fashioning the stars. Nor did we know the sun in his childhood." Then did Popocatepetl roar and shake in his rage. "Oh, louse--louse--louse! Let us bargain then! How much for your blood?" Over the little animal hung death. But he instantly bowed himself and prayed: "Popocatepetl, the great, you who saw the King of Everything fashioning the stars, and who knew the sun in his childhood, forgive this poor little animal. Your sacred hunger shall be my care. I am your servant." "It is well," said Popocatepetl at once, for his spirit was ever kindly. "And now, what will you do?" The little animal put his hand upon his chin and reflected. "Well, it seems you are hungry, and the King of Everything has forbidden you to go for food in fear that your monstrous feet will riddle the earth with holes. What you need is a pair of wings." "A pair of wings!" cried Popocatepetl delightedly. "A pair of wings!" screamed the eagle in joy. "How very simple, after all." "And yet how wise!" "But," said Popocatepetl, after the first outburst, "who can make me these wings?"