Page:Folk-lore of the Telugus.djvu/102

94 Once upon a time a sannyasin came to Vikramarka, blessed him and gave him a fruit. The same thing was repeated day after day arid the king used to give it over to his steward. On a certain day the fruit was given by the king to a monkey standing near, and when the latter bit a portion of it, a large number of diamonds fell out of the fruit. The king was wonderstruck and called upon the steward to produce the fruit entrusted to him. On their being produced and broken open, the king found to his utter amazement an additional number of diamonds. The king, feeling very pleased with the sannyasin, enquired of his errand, when the latter informed him that he was intent upon performing a great tapas, that he needed therefore the king's help and that he would tell him the business, should he (the king) come to his abode on the fifteenth day from that date at dead of night. He would then help him, for his tapas would be fulfilled. The king. consented and dressed himself like a warrior, and, with sword in hand, went to the spot