Page:History of Bengali Language and Literature.djvu/335

 IV.] BENGALI LANGUAGE & LITERATURE. 299 boon that Kalaketu should no longer be able to molest or destroy them. It was morning and the dairy maids were carry- ing their curds in pitchers to the market for sale. On the right the cows were grazing in the pastures - and the village looked lovely under the morning breeze. Kalaketu the hunter, with his quiver on his back and a great bow in his hand, and crystal ear-drops in his ears went forth on his usual hunt- ing excursion. As he was about to enter the dense forest, he saw a lizard of a golden colour. This lizard, he thought, was not a good omen. 116 tied up the animal with the string of his bow and thought it would serve for a meal if no other should be forthcoming that day. By the will of Chandi, a dense fog covered the forest that morning, and though Kalaketu wandered all round it in quest of a quarry, he could find none. Growing hungry, as the day advanced, with his fruitless search, he returned home, and ac- quainted his wife Phullarg with the tale of his dis- appointment. He suggested that she should go to their neighbour Bimala and ask for the loan of a few seers of hud or rice-dust and some salt, and pointed out the lizard which lay bound with the string of his bow; this might also be killed and cooked, as no better could be found, to appease their hunger for the day. Phullara went to her friend Bimala for the loan and in the meantime K&alaketu found in the cottage a small quantity of flesh left unsold the day before. He carried this to Gola ghat to try if any purchaser could be found for it. The lizard tied up. Kalaketu returns home. Goes to Gola Ghat.