Mingi of Egypt

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22343, 5 March 1938, Page 3 (Supplement)

Mingi of Egypt

CHAPTER II On and on Mingi rode until he came to the abode of the king. "Halt!" said one of the king's guards. "I crave audience of the king," Mingi said. The man laughed. "And who art thou to demand admission to the Pharaoh's presence?" A second man approached, the captain of the guard. "It is the king's birthday. He hath commanded that the first person who to-day cometh from afar be admitted," he said. So little Mingi was admitted to the court of the king. He prostrated himself at the foot of the stone steps that, led up to the king's seat.

"Wouldst exchange thy freedom for that of a woman child?" Mingi bowed humbly, and once again he prostrated himself. Then he looked up at the king's collar of gold set with jewels. Fear entered his heart, lest so great a king grant not his request. A messenger entered with a papyrus scroll. A scribe murmured to the king. The king's brows drew closer, and his eyes flashed. "Rise, boy!" commanded the king. Mingi trembled at his loud voice. What had made the king so wrath? Mingi looked curiously at the scroll. "Canst read this v writing, boy?" asked the king. The scribe interrupted. "The writing reveals there is danger for thee, O king." "Thou seest danger for me, yet knowest not whence it cometh!" The Pharaoh's eyes flashed, and the jewel on his finger flashed, and his crown of gold glistened. Mingi's eyes were dazzled. "Give the parchment to the boy!" yelled the king. The scribe hesitated. "What!" quoth the king. "Thou wouldst hesitate to do my bidding?" Tremblingly the scribe handed the roll to Mingi. Mingi's eyes grew large with eagerness. His father had taught him to read symbols. Mingi's father had hoped that some day his son might become a scribe. The scribe's eyes hardened. "Oh, my king, wouldst permit a boy to do what is my duty?" "Dost care more for thine, office than for my life?" demanded the king. Then the scribe was silent. "Read the writing on the scroll, boy, and thy sister shall be freed," said the king, pointing to a stone table. Mingi spread the parchment on the table.

"Danger from Nubia," read Mingi, looking intently at the parchment. "The boy is right. The Nubians are my enemies," said the ruler, well pleased. "Let the boy have a white linen tunic with a girdle of purple," he commanded. "He shall be my scribe. He could read what an old man could not decipher. I shall send a messenger to the high priest, boy. Thy sister may depart in peace." "I shall be thy willing slave always, O most gracious king!" cried Mingi gratefully, throwing himself at the Pharaoh's feet. All the people marvelled at the knowledge of the Egyptian boy. Soon Mingi was clad in a sleeveless tunic, and Pharaoh said unto him, "He who is willing to give his freedom for another is worthy to write on the temple walls." By the river, Mingi looked toward the yellow blooms in the papyrus fields, and his eyes were bright with joy. He had served his king. The hair-like tufts of the papyrus stalks seemed to nod approvingly. The stalks, four cubits or six feet in height, swayed gently in the breeze. Some day these plants would be cut into strips, and pasted so that the edges would overlap. He might write on parchment made from these very stalks. He must learn to write well with the reed pens. He must faithfully rec~d ih" '•-,•-,-<•- business. Ka, his other self, had aided him. Akkara would be free. She could go about in the sun. »Maybe some day, he, Mingi, might write on the very walls of the temple where his sister had ventured. As he' stood bare-headed in the sun, an attendant of the king approached him. "Aku, the donkey, is to have high honours. So has the great Pharaoh ordered. Did not the animal bring thee unto the king?" said the man. "I am glad that Aku is to be well considered," replied Mingi. "Aku

has served me well, even as I intend to 6erve the king, in all faithfulness." Then Mlngi was left alone Suddenly he heard the braying of a donkey. He rushed i'crward, and Aku, the little grey donkey, came to meet him. "Aku, thou hast served ths Pharaoh. But for thee I should not have arrived in time to read the message." Aku rolled his eyes. He seemed to understand. Mingi looked at the blue sky above. and he thought of the temple ot Osiris, and of how like the temple was the earth, with its roof of biue. The sun smiled down en the Egyptian boy's head, and he, too, smiled happily. "I am glad," Mingi .said. "Always I must read and write well. It is a great trust to serve the great Pharaoh."

HERE AND THERE Just the Bull When I was on the lawn I heard a noise. I went over to see what

it yras. I found it was only thO bull tossing a box about in Iha paddock. —NOREEN STONE. Ladbmoka. Blackberry Gatherers Mummy took me to gather blackberries last Saturday. I got soma

nice big ones. Mother made some jam with them. —DEREK PALMER (aged 1), Fernside. Orange-Yellow On Friday night I saw a lovely sunset, '.1t... w.a5.,.3 . bright. oraugeyellow colour with daubs of grey in it; then it changed to rod and grey. —'MATE ZEPHYR. u. Lyndhurst.