Life and Death Are in Hands of Tongue

Once a Persian king sick unto death was ordered the milk of a lioness [Heb.Lebia]. A man obtain it after many adventures. On his return the members of his body disputed in the night. The feet said, "Had we not gone the milk had not been got': the hands, 'We milked; that was chief thing; the eyes, 'But for us the lioness could not have been found out.' The heart reminds them of her wise counsels. At last spoke the tongue, "but for me where would have you been?" To the retorts of the other members, the only reply is, "You'll soon see!" Next morning the man came before the King and handing him the milk, said, 'There is the milk of the bitch'[Heb.Kalba]. [The man is ordered off to execution.] On the scaffold the members wept but the tongue laughed. 'What did I tell you? Are you not all in my power? However, I'll take pity on you?"  The tongue called out, 'Lead me once more to the King.' In his presence it said, 'I have truly brought you the milk of a lioness, Sire. 'Kalba' is Arabic for lioness.' They tasted, and tried, and found it right, and sent the man away with great gifts. Then said the tongue, 'See now life and death are in my hands.'