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I hoped to be set free one day, so I was nice to the Lilliputians.

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Gradually, they lost their fear of me.

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Sometimes the children even played hide-and-seek in my hair.

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One day the king said to me,

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"I invite you to attend an important performance.

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It is a contest called rope dancing. Come with me."

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For this contest, a thin rope was tied between two poles very high above the ground.

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The people who wanted the best jobs had to dance on this rope.

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Each dancer tried to jump higher than the others.

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I had never seen such a dangerous sport.

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"Your Majesty," I said, "many dancers must fall and be hurt or killed."

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"Yes," he replied.

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"Some break their arms or legs, and several have broken their necks.

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But I give the most important jobs in my kingdom to the men who are not afraid and jump the highest.

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These brave men will work hard for Lilliput."

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"What a strange way to choose who will work for the country," I thought.

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Then, as the king watched, I attached each corner of my handkerchief to a strong stick.

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I pushed the four sticks into the ground.

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My handkerchief was now under the rope but above the ground.

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"Your Majesty," I said, "any dancer who falls will now land on my handkerchief and not get hurt."

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"You are wise, Enormous One," said the king.

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"I am pleased with your invention."

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His family and many other people watched the rope dancing.

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"Would you and the queen like to see better?" I asked the king.

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I gently put them on my hand and held it beside the rope.

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They had a good view of the dancers.

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One very skilled performer turned several cartwheels on the rope.

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Then he held on to the rope and flipped his body right over it.

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The king and queen clapped loudly and cheered.

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Later the king told me that he made this man one of his chief advisers.

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The king and I met often.

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He seemed to enjoy our conversations.

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One day, I said again, "Your Majesty, please set me free."

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This time he answered, "I have talked to my advisers.

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We agree that you have been good to our people.

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I will set you free if you make six promises."

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"What must I promise?" I asked.

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"You must help my country in war and peace," said the king.

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"I promise," I said.

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"Before you visit the capital," continued the king, "you must give two hours' warning.

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Then my people can get out of the streets."

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"I promise."

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"You must not step on my people or their animals."

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"I promise."

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"You must carry important messages for me quickly to anywhere in Lilliput."

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"I promise."

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"Also," said the king, "you must help my workers carry heavy objects."

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"I promise."

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"The last promise," said the king, "is this:

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you must not leave the kingdom without my permission.

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If you do so, I will be angry."

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"I promise that too," I told the king.

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"Then you may have your freedom," he said.

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"Unchain the Enormous One," the king ordered his men.

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"Now you can travel throughout Lilliput," he said.

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"Thank you, Your Majesty," I said.

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"I would like to see more of your country."

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"When you come to the capital city, you may visit my palace," the king said.

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"I'm sure you will find it the most beautiful you have ever seen."