and small. He had a little
boat of his own and a rake for dragging up the oysters and he was very
proud indeed when he could carry a big white pearl to his father.
There was no school upon the island, as the people of Pingaree were far
removed from the state of civilization that gives our modern children
such advantages as schools and learned professors, but the King owned
several manuscript books, the pages being made of sheepskin. Being a
man of intelligence, he was able to teach his son something of reading,
writing and arithmetic.
When studying his lessons Prince Inga used to go into the grove near
his father's palace and climb into the branches of a tall tree, where he
had built a platform with a comfortable seat to rest upon, all hidden by
the canopy of leaves. There, with no one to disturb him, he would pore
over the sheepskin on which were written the queer characters of the
Pingarese language.
King Kitticut was very proud of his little son, as well he might be, and
he soon felt a high respect for Inga's judgment and thought that he was
worthy to be taken into the confidence of his father in many matters of
state. He taught the boy the needs of the people and how to rule them
justly, for some day he knew that Inga would be King in his place. One
day he called his son to his side and said to him:
"Our island now seems peaceful enough, Inga, and we are happy and
prosperous, but I cannot forget those terrible people of Regos and
Coregos. My constant fear is that they will send a fleet of boats to
search for those of their race whom we defeated many years ago, and
whom the sea afterwards destroyed. If the warriors come in great
numbers we may be unable to oppose them, for my people are little
trained to fighting at best; they surely would cause us much injury and
suffering."
"Are we, then, less powerful than in my grandfather's day?" asked
Prince Inga.
The King shook his head thoughtfully.
"It is not that," said he. "That you may fully understand that marvelous
battle, I must confide to, you a great secret. I have in my possession
three Magic Talismans, which I have ever guarded with utmost care,
keeping the knowledge of their existence from anyone else. But, lest I
should die, and the secret be lost, I have decided to tell you what these
talismans are and where they are hidden. Come with me, my son.
He led the way through the rooms of the palace until they came to the
great banquet hall. There, stopping in the center of the room, he
stooped down and touched a hidden spring in the tiled floor. At once
one of the tiles sank downward and the King reached within the cavity
and drew out a silken bag.
This bag he proceeded to open, showing Inga that it contained three
great pearls, each one as big around as a marble. One had a blue tint
and one was of a delicate rose color, but the third was pure white.
"These three pearls," said the King, speaking in a solemn, impressive
voice, "are the most wonderful the world has ever known. They were
gifts to one of my ancestors from the Mermaid Queen, a powerful fairy
whom he once had the good fortune to rescue from her enemies. In
gratitude for this favor she presented him with these pearls. Each of the
three possesses an astonishing power, and whoever is their owner may
count himself a fortunate man. This one having the blue tint will give to
the person who carries it a strength so great that no power can resist
him. The one with the pink glow will protect its owner from all dangers
that may threaten him, no matter from what source they may come. The
third pearl -- this one of pure white -- can speak, and its words are
always wise and helpful."
"What is this, my father!" exclaimed the Prince, amazed; "do you tell
me that a pearl can speak? It sounds impossible."
"Your doubt is due to your ignorance of fairy powers," returned the
King, gravely. "Listen, my son, and you will know that I speak the
truth."
He held the white pearl to Inga's ear and the Prince heard a small voice
say distinctly: "Your father is right. Never question the truth of what
you fail to understand, for the world is filled with wonders."
"I crave your pardon, dear father," said the Prince, "for clearly I heard
the pearl speak, and its words were full of wisdom."
"The powers of the other pearls are even greater," resumed the
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