"Ah ..." said the second.

"Er ..." said the third.

"I was only curious," said the fourth. "I have never seenone myself."

"Oh, you. That doesn't prove anything," said the first."Now then, listen: If we can't import fireworks, why can't weimport a dragon to do the same job? Fire, colored lights thingslike that?"

"A stunning idea!" said the second. "Import a dragon!"

"Congratulations," said the third. "It is a brilliantidea. Dragons are available everywhere, while fireworks arenot."

"Yes," said the fourth. "I would like very much to see youimport a dragon."

"I shall suggest it to the king immediately," said the firstadviser. He went and suggested it to the king.

"Oh, my yes!" said the king. "Won't it be jolly to have adragon for the princess' birthday! Why didn't I think of that?"

"That is what advisers are for," said the first adviser.

"Send for a dragon immediately," ordered the king,"medium-sized, and with colored lights."

"Very good, sire," said the first adviser. "Send for adragon," he told the second.

"Send for a dragon," the second adviser told the third.

"Send for a dragon," the third adviser told the fourth.

"Who shall I send, and where?" asked the fourth.

"That is your problem," said the third. "I only relayorders."

"But I have no one to relay them to," said the fourth.

"Then do it yourself," said the third.

"This is ridiculous!" said the fourth, whose name,incidentally, was William.

"It is the order of the king," said the third. "Your placeis to obey, not to question."

"Very well," said William, sighing. "I'll give it a try.But I still think it is ridiculous."

"It is the king's order. Go, import a dragon!" And theylaughed, as the fourth adviser went away to seek a medium-sizeddragon with colored lights.