Page:Folk-lore of the Telugus.djvu/92

 XXXIX KING SIBI.

By far the best of monarchs that wielded sway over the Nishada country was King Sibi, who was the type of virtue, a well-wisher of his subjects. He would even forego his life to protect the refugee. Once upon a time the Gandarvas began praising his talents and virtuous qualities at the Court of their king Devendra, who heard them, and, coming to a resolve to put them to test, assumed the form of a hawk and called upon his friend Agni to take the form of a dove. The hawk, then pursuing the dove, reached the earth. The dove came to King Sibi and said:—"O King! there comes a hawk to put an end to me, and make me its prey. Shield me." So saying, he took refuge. Not long after, the hawk approached the king and said:—"It is unfair of you to protect my prey, for that will lead to my certain death. Refrain, therefore, from protecting the dove." To which the king replied