"God is punishing us already," cried the Emperor in despair, "by causing the earth to swallow us up! Oh, why, then, does He slay us with stones and rocks from the sky?" The confusion was universal; every one was pushing and crowding his neighbor; and so the Emperor's whole army melted away. After a time the Fox removed his residence to Stamboul and began to rule there, and the Beg gave up hunting and went also to Stamboul to be near his Fox. There, with his wife, whom no one again dared to kidnap, he lived in joy and peace until his blessed end. The little boy had left his stool and was standing near his grandmother, his eyes shining in the darkness. When she stopped speaking he drew a long breath. "That was a good Fox, grandmother," he said. "I should like to know that Fox." CHAPTER XIII GETTING READY It was very interesting in the little boy's house the next day, for the mother was getting ready for the journey and the sisters were helping. There was food to be cooked and there were clothes to be washed, and it all made a very pleasant bustle. The little boy was in the thick of it all. He thought he was helping, though perhaps the others thought differently. At any rate, he was in a state of most delightful excitement. When it grew dark the work was all done, and the little boy went to the grandmother's room. "We are all ready, grandmother," he said, "and I have been patient all the time!" "Well, well!" said the grandmother. "Surely you deserve a reward, then. Shall I tell you a story?" "Oh, dear little grandmother, yes!" cried the little boy. "Will it be about Reinecke?" "Not about Reinecke, nor any of the animals you know," said the grandmother; "it will be about "THE SEVEN STARS" Once upon a time there was a King who had a wonderfully beautiful daughter. But there came a Dragon and stole her away and vanished, leaving not a trace behind. So the King called his High Chamberlain and commanded him to go forth into the world and seek the Princess, and on no account to come back without her. The High Chamberlain set out and searched throughout the whole world, but nowhere could he find the slightest trace of the King's daughter nor the least clew to her whereabouts. However, an old woman advised him to go to such-and-such a country and inquire for the Dragon-mother, for she alone was able to give him information about the stolen Princess. And, verily, the High Chamberlain followed this counsel. After most toilsome wanderings he at last arrived safely at the Dragon-mother's house and begged her to give him such information as she had as to the abiding-place of the King's daughter.