This page has been validated.
THE STEEL FLEA
"What is the meaning of this?" he asks.
And the English artisans reply: "This is a respectful gift from us to Your Majesty."
"But what is it?"
"Here," they say, "please to observe this tiny speck."
The Emperor looked and saw that the tiniest sort of a speck really was lying upon the salver.
The workmen say: "Please spit on your finger, and take it in your palm."
"But what am I to do with this speck?"
"It is not a speck," they answer, "but a nymfozoria."
"Is it alive?"
"Not at all," they reply; "it is not alive, but it has been forged by us in the image of a flea, out of pure English steel, and in the middle of it are works and a spring. Please wind it up with the
[ 15 ]
