Page:Folk-lore of the Telugus.djvu/26

18 caused a post to be fixed in the street and the sum tied to the hem of a garment and suspended from the top of the pole. He then placed a mirror underneath, and sent for the woman, and told her what he had done and called upon her to put her hand into the mirror and receive the money. She informed him of the impossibility of taking the money by putting her hand into the mirror, and requested the king to order somebody to climb up the post and bring the money down. But the king replied:—"As the Brahman appeared to you only in a dream, you may take the money that appears in a mirror; I cannot order anybody to hand you over the bundle,"

On hearing this, the harlot felt quite abashed' bent down her head and went away. It is, therefore, necessary that those who settle disputes should be conversant with tricks.