Page:Indian Fairy Tales (Stokes, 1879).djvu/192

180 again and rode out of the jangle. He rode on till he came to another which was not on fire. He let the cubs loose in it that they might run away; but they placed themselves in front of his horse, and said, "We will not let you go till you have seen our father and mother."

Meanwhile the tiger and tigress saw the boy coming with their cubs, and they came running to meet them. Till then they had thought their cubs were burned in the jungle-fire. Now they knew at once this boy had saved them. The cubs said to their father and mother, "We should have died had it not been for this boy. Give him food; and when he has eaten some food, we will drink milk." The tigers were very happy at having their children safe. They went to a garden and got food and good water for the boy, who ate and drank. Then the little cubs drank their mother's milk.

The tiger said to the prince, "You are such a little child, how is it your mother let you come alone to this jungle?" "My mother's eyes are sore and pain her; and the doctor says that if she bathes them in a tigress's milk they will get well. So I came to see if I could get a little for her."

"I will give you some," said the tigress, and she gave him a little jar full of her milk. The cubs said, "One of us will go with you, and the other will stay with our father and mother." "No," said the little prince, "do you both stay with your father and mother. I will not take either of you away. What should I do with you?" "No," said one of the cubs; "I will go with you. I will do all you tell me. Wherever you bid me stay, there I will stay; and I will eat any food you give me." "Take him with you," said the old tiger; "one day you will find him of use." So the boy took the cub and the milk, and made his salaam to the old tigers, and went home. His mothers were delighted at his return, though, as they had no eyes, they could not see him.