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136 After much cogitation, the prime minister's son pointed out what seemed to be a very plausible way. He suggested that the method whereby the real mother could be found out was to try the range of the milk which the two claimants had in their breasts; and she whose milk, being propelled by pressure from a particular distance, would reach his mouth, should have her claims of maternity acknowledged by him.

Neel at first jumped at this suggestion, but afterwards doubted it, and told his friend that though what he had said would be a very good test, it was not possible. For no mother could be expected to have milk for her child after the lapse of so many years since its birth, and even if she had, no drop of it could pass over a considerable distance. At this, his friend replied that prayers to the gods can make impossibilities possible.

Neel the next morning approached the king, who was already aware of the witch's claim, which he thought foolish, and asked him to hold the proposed test before his full court. The king agreed; and the matter became public. The wood-cutter's wife heard it, and went to her friend, the midwife, for consultation, who told her not to flinch, but to eat Shingi fish, and other kinds of food that generated in the breasts a copious supply of milk. The sham queen took her friend's advice.

The next morning the court assembled, and the yard of the palace became quickly crowded. The wood-cutter's wife made a grand appearance befitting a queen; while Shakti was clad in rags. Then the prime minister's son said aloud, "O most august assembly of the best in the land! and O queen! and the lady in apparent poverty! Prince Neel has one mother to be sure, and that one must have her rights."

Shakti and the wood-cutter's wife were made to stand twelve yards off from Neel. The false mother tried the test, and taking different positions, standing, kneeling or sitting, she pressed out her milk, which did not pass even half the distance. The assembly cried out, "Stop, queen, stop. It is