Page:Folk-lore of the Telugus.djvu/78

70 stopping ikere, he carried the copper home. After travelling a little more distance, the talisman of the second man fell from his head. The spot was dug into, and an enormous quantity of silver was found. He followed the action of the first friend, and desisted from going any farther. The other two travelled for some time longer, when the talisman on the head of one of them fell off. When the spot was dug into, ail enormous quantity of gold was found. He, thereupon, told the last friend not to proceed any further, as, with the quantity of gold found, both of them could live happily. But he gave a deaf ear to the advice, and went on for some time longer, till the talisman fell from his head. The spot was dug into, and a quantity of iron was found. He was overcome with grief at his lot, and regretting the neglect of his friend's advice he retraced his steps. But, alas, in this he was sorely disappointed, for lie was not able to find his friend. Thereupon immersed in grief he tried to get at the iron that had fallen to his lot, but he was not able to find the iron. Very sorry for his lot, he