human
You are welcome to the Kingdom of Pingaree. Perhaps you will deign to come ashore and at your convenience inform us whom we have the honor of receiving as a guest.
gpt
Thanks; I will, returned the little fat man, waddling from his place in the boat and stepping, with some difficulty, upon the sandy beach.
human
I am King Rinkitink, of the City of Gilgad in the Kingdom of Rinkitink, and I have come to Pingaree to see for myself the monarch who sends to my city so many beautiful pearls. I have long wished to visit this island; and so, as I said before, here I am!
gpt
I am pleased to welcome you, said King Kitticut.
human
But why has Your Majesty so few attendants? Is it not dangerous for the King of a great country to make distant journeys in one frail boat, and with but twenty men?
gpt
Oh, I suppose so, answered King Rinkitink, with a laugh.
human
But what else could I do? My subjects would not allow me to go anywhere at all, if they knew it. So I just ran away.
gpt
Ran away!
human
Funny, isn't it? Heh, heh, heh--woo, hoo! laughed Rinkitink, and this is as near as I can spell with letters the jolly sounds of his laughter.
gpt
Fancy a King running away from his own ple--hoo, hoo--keek, eek, eek, eek! But I had to, don't you see!
human
Why?
gpt
They're afraid I'll get into mischief. They don't trust me. Keek-eek-eek--Oh, dear me! Don't trust their own King. Funny, isn't it?
human
No harm can come to you on this island, said Kitticut, pretending not to notice the odd ways of his guest.
gpt
And, whenever it pleases you to return to your own country, I will send with you a fitting escort of my own people. In the meantime, pray accompany me to my palace, where everything shall be done to make you comfortable and happy.
human
Much obliged, answered Rinkitink, tipping his white cap over his left ear and heartily shaking the hand of his brother monarch.
gpt
I'm sure you can make me comfortable if you've plenty to eat. And as for being happy--ha, ha, ha, ha!--why, that's my trouble. I'm too happy. But stop! I've brought you some presents in those boxes. Please order your men to carry them up to the palace.
human
Certainly,
gpt
And, by the way, continued the fat little King,
human
A goat!
gpt
Exactly; my goat Bilbil. I always ride him wherever I go, for I'm not at all fond of walking, being a trifle stout--eh, Kitticut?--a trifle stout! Hoo, hoo, hoo-keek, eek!
human
Be careful, you villains!
gpt
There! I told you so! cried the voice angrily.
human
You've rubbed the skin off my left knee. Why on earth didn't you handle me gently?
gpt
There, there, Bilbil, said King Rinkitink soothingly;
human
Then he turned to Kitticut and remarked:
gpt
You have no talking goats on your island, I suppose.
human
We have no goats at all, replied the King;
gpt
I wish my animal couldn't talk, either, said Rinkitink, winking comically at Inga and then looking toward the cage.
human
He is very cross at times, and indulges in language that is not respectful. I thought, at first, it would be fine to have a talking goat, with whom I could converse as I rode about my city on his back; but--keek-eek-eek-eek!--the rascal treats me as if I were a chimney sweep instead of a King. Heh, heh, heh, keek, eek! A chimney sweep-hoo, hoo, hoo!--and me a King! Funny, isn't it?
gpt
Why do you not ride a horse?
human
I can't climb upon his back, being rather stout; that's why. Kee, kee, keek, eek!--rather stout--hoo, hoo, hoo! He paused to wipe the tears of merriment from his eyes and then added:
gpt
But I can get on and off Bilbil's back with ease.