Page:Indian tales of the great ones.djvu/34

26 So the princes went and told Drona, and he came back with them to the shrine in the forest.

"How say you," said Drona, "that you are my pupil?"

"Because I have taught myself to shoot, thinking only of you and your great skill in shooting."

Then said Drona, "If you are my pupil, give me the fee due to a Master."

"Most gladly," said Ekalavya, a great joy in his face. "Ask what you will. I have nothing I would not give with all my heart."

"Is that true?" said Drona. "Well then, I ask the thumb of your right hand."

And Ekalavya, allowing no look of sadness to spoil his gift, cut off his thumb, without a word, and laid it at the feet of the Master-Archer. But