1. How the Nome King Became Angry
TheNomeKingwasinanangrymood,andatsuchtimeshewasverydisagreeable.Everyonekeptawayfromhim,evenhisChiefStewardKaliko.
ThereforetheKingstormedandravedallbyhimself,walkingupanddowninhisjewel-studdedcavernandgettingangrierallthetime.Thenherememberedthatitwasnofunbeingangryunlesshehadsomeonetofrightenandmakemiserable,andherushedtohisbiggongandmadeitclatterasloudashecould.
IncametheChiefSteward,tryingnottoshowtheNomeKinghowfrightenedhewas.
"SendtheChiefCounselorhere!"shoutedtheangrymonarch.
Kalikoranoutasfastashisspindlelegscouldcarryhisfat,roundbody,andsoontheChiefCounselorenteredthecavern.TheKingscowledandsaidtohim:
"I’mingreattroubleoverthelossofmyMagicBelt.EverylittlewhileIwanttodosomethingmagical,andfindIcan’tbecausetheBeltisgone.Thatmakesmeangry,andwhenI’mangryIcan’thaveagoodtime.Now,whatdoyouadvise?"
"Somepeople,"saidtheChiefCounselor,"enjoygettingangry."
"Butnotallthetime,"declaredtheKing."Tobeangryonceinawhileisreallygoodfun,becauseitmakesotherssomiserable.Buttobeangrymorning,noonandnight,asIam,growsmonotonousandpreventsmygaininganyotherpleasureinlife.Nowwhatdoyouadvise?"
"Why,ifyouareangrybecauseyouwanttodomagicalthingsandcan’t,andifyoudon’twanttogetangryatall,myadviceisnottowanttodomagicalthings.