THE flour-dealer seized a broom-handle, and rushed to defend his cat. That stung the quarrelsome old fellow into rushing across the street to defend his dog with his own broom-handle, and he laid the flour-dealer out cold. The flour-dealer’s young son then rushed up and seized his father’s broom-handle, but the little warrior had barely begun when the quarrelsome old fellow’s friend stepped in, brandishing a glittering sabre. At that, a languid soldier snapped to attention, and challenged the swordsman to pick on someone his own size. Soon the sound of steel on steel rang out.

“Murder!” someone cried. In no time, the town’s whole garrison had turned out, and were fighting among themselves. The Muslims declared themselves for the cat, as Muhammad kept a cat; the Hindus were for the dog, remembering how Yudhishthira had refused to enter heaven without his faithful hound.* At length, the hubbub reached the palace, and a court was hastily convened.