Page:Tales from the Indian Epics.djvu/21

Rh bull. The giant was many times a man's height and the bull stood as high as the largest war elephant. "Come here, Uttanka," said the giant, "and eat this food." And as the giant spoke he offered some food to the lad. But Uttanka refused, for he did not know the caste of the giant, and the food looked strange. "Nay, Uttanka," continued the giant, "eat the food and do not fear. Veda, your teacher, has often in the past taken food at my hands."

Uttanka no longer refused. He took the food from the giant's hands, ate it, and then, washing his hands, went on towards the palace of King Paushya. Suddenly although it seemed to Uttanka that he had walked but a few miles, the palace appeared in front of him. He neared the gates and the guards made way for him to pass. Then entering the palace he went boldly on until he reached the great central hall, where King Paushya was seated in state. As Uttanka drew near to the throne the courtiers stepped aside. When the boy faced King Paushya, he saluted him most humbly. "O King," he said, "I come to you as a suppliant." "Fair youth," replied the king, "ask me what you will, and, if I can, I will grant it to you." But as the king spoke, his heart sank within him, because he feared that Uttanka had come to beg his queen's earrings. "My Lord," said Uttanka humbly, "I am a pupil of the rishi Veda, and as a fee for his teaching he has asked me to bring him your queen's earrings. Give them, therefore, to me as a boon given to a suppliant."

The king could not refuse a Brahman suppliant, so he said, "Go yourself, fair youth, into the queen's chamber and ask her to give you the earrings. She will not refuse you." But the queen, knew that Uttanka was