The Butterfly That Stamped

Long ago, a wise King named Solomon had a huge palace. It was full of gold and gardens.

But it was also full of arguing. Solomon's cousins argued and squabbled and shouted, from morning till night.

Solomon didn't like it. His wife, wise Queen Balkis, didn't like it. But what could they do?

One day, Solomon was walking in the garden. Two butterflies flew past. They were arguing.

'Silly wife!' said the He-Butterfly. 'Do you know that if I stamp my foot, this whole palace will disappear?'

Solomon smiled. He held out his hand. 'Little butterfly, come here.'

The butterfly landed on his finger.

'That was a fib,' whispered Solomon kindly. 'You could not knock down a blade of grass with your stamp.'

'I know,' said the butterfly. 'But my wife is annoying me.'

'Then let me help,' said Solomon. He turned his magic ring — for he was a magical king. And he whispered to the huge Djinns of the earth.

'When this butterfly stamps his foot,' he told them, 'make the palace vanish. Then when he stamps again, put it back.'

The he-butterfly flew back to his wife. 'Watch this!' he said. And he stamped his little foot.

WHOOSH — the whole palace vanished! There was only sky where it had been.

The noisy cousins screamed and screamed and screamed.

'Now,' said the butterfly, 'put it back, dear kind Djinns.'

WHOOSH — back came the palace. Every gold spire, every garden fountain.

The noisy cousins came out, silent and shaking. They never argued so loudly again.

And the little butterfly went home to his wife feeling very grand indeed. And the wise King Solomon and Queen Balkis had a peaceful palace ever after.

All because of one little butterfly, who stamped his foot.