The Swallow and The Wasp
Swallow and a Wasp. After they had bowed before him, the Khan said: "I
command the two of you to fly around the world tomorrow and seek out
the animal with the tastiest meat. I will eat only that animal in the
future.
Early the next morning, the Swallow and the Wasp set out on their important quest, each flying off in a different direction. As the sun rose higher, the day became warm, bright and beautiful. The Swallow sang as it soared through the blue skies, just happy to be alive, and soon forgot Khan-Garid's command altogether. In the meantime, on the other side of the world, the harmful Wasp was carrying out the Khan's orders. Leaving a trail of painful stings in its wake, the Wasp methodically tasted the blood of every creature it came across. As the day drew to a close and the sun began its descent, the two royal emissaries met before the palace of the KhanGarid to exchange their news. The Swallow, having played away the entire day, was now worried about the Khan's wrath. Hoping that the Wasp had discovered the tastiest animal, the Swallow asked: "Well, Wasp. Were you successful today? Did you find out which animal's meat tastes the best?"
The Wasp answered: "Indeed I did, Swallow! After tasting hundreds of different animals, I found that the human beings are the most delicious of all. From now on, our respected Khan-Garid must eat only humans." The Wasp's surprising announcement greatly upset the Swallow, as he liked the men and women of the Earth. "Oh dear," thought the Swallow. "How can I save those poor Humans from being hunted by Khan-Garid for eternity?" Devising a plan, the Swallow asked the Wasp: "Brother, how did you manage to taste the Humans?" "Oh! It was easy," replied the Wasp. "I pierced their skins with my stinger and tasted their blood with my tongue!" "How interesting!" exclaimed the Swallow. "Where is this powerful tongue of yours?" And when the Wasp opened its mouth to show the bird its tongue, as quick as can be, the Swallow pecked it out. Before the shocked Wasp could react, the two flying creatures were called before the Khan-Garid.
"So, tell me what you have discovered," boomed the Khan. "Wasp, you speak first!" But the tongueless Wasp could no longer speak. All it could do was fly round and round the great Khan's head, protesting and complaining with a loud buzzing sound.
"What in Heaven's name are you trying to say, Wasp?" roared the Khan. "I can't understand a single word!" In exasperation, Khan-Garid shooed away the droning Wasp. "Swallow," he said. "You tell me whose meat is the sweetest."
"With pleasure, Your Majesty," replied the Swallow. "The tastiest meat in the world belongs to the snake." Thanking the Swallow, Khan-Garid vowed to hunt and eat only snakes from that day on. This royal tradition is still carried on today by the descendant of Khan-Garid, the eagle. As for the Wasp, from the moment the Swallow pecked out its tongue it lost its voice completely and now it can only make a whining, buzzing sound.
