Page:Folk-lore of the Telugus.djvu/69

 XXIX.

DUPED BY THE MAJORITY. There was a Brahman, Vasanthayaji by name, at Sriramapura, on the banks of the Tamraparni. He conceived the idea of performing a yajna (sacrifice), and wanted four or five of the best goats for the purpose. He went, therefore, to a neighbouring village, purchased the goats, tied a rope round their necks, and was wending his way home, when four Sudras wanted to appropriate the goats to them selves. One of them, therefore, came and stood before the Brahman and said, "Why are you carrying a number of mad dogs?" The Brahman merely thought him a fool who confounded goats with mad dogs. He went on a little further, when another of the Sudras put him the same question, and wanted him to take care, lest the mad dogs should bite him. The Brahman, on hearing these words, entertained a slight doubt in his mind. While pursuing his track a little further, a third of the Sudras came close by the goats, grew exceed-