Page:Sagas from the Far East; or, Kalmouk and Mongolian traditionary tales.djvu/121



the Well-and-wise-walking Khan found that he had again missed the end and object of his labour, he proceeded yet again as heretofore to the cool grove, and having taken captive the Siddhî-kür bore him along to present to the Master and Teacher Nâgârg'una.

But by the way the Siddhî-kür asked him to tell a tale, and when he would not speak, craved of him the token that he willed he should tell one; which, when he had given, he told this tale, saying,—

Long ages ago there lived in a kingdom which was called Kun-smon, a Khan named Kun-snang. When this Khan departed this life his son named Chamut Ssakiktschi succeeded to the throne.

In the same kingdom lived a painter named Ânanda, and a wood-carver also named Ânanda. These men were friends of each other apparently, but jealousy reigned in their hearts.