The creatures of the sea are asked by the king of the Ocean to take a message to the Brahman, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Eleventh Night, c. 1560. Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556-1605). Gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper; overall: 20.3 x 14 cm (8 x 5 1/2 in.); painting only: 7.3 x 10.1 cm (2 7/8 x 4 in.). The creatures of the sea, by turn, refuse to convey the king of the oceans acceptance of the wedding invitation to the Brahman. The sea dragon in the upper right is concerned that he will frighten people, so he volunteered the whale. The whale said that he has no legs to walk on land, so volunteered the turtle. The turtle said he would be too slow and would never make it on time. The crab feared he would not be taken seriously, and the crocodile said that he is too rough and vulgar for the job. The frog agreed to go.