Page:Tales from the Indian Epics.djvu/28

22 gave her the earrings of King Paushya's queen.

Veda's wife thanked him; and Veda said, "Uttanka, my son, tell me how it was that you delayed so long." Uttanka answered, "O my master, Takshaka the snake prince stole my earrings, and to recover them I had to follow him into the city of the snake people." And Uttanka told Veda all that had befallen him. Then continuing he said, "Reverend sage, tell me who were the maidens who were weaving with white and black threads, and what was the wheel with the twelve spokes that six boys were turning. Who was the giant on the bull, and who was the man who gave me the wondrous horse?"

"The maidens," replied Veda, "who were weaving white and black threads were Day and Night. The wheel with the twelve spokes was the year with its twelve months. The six boys who were turning it were the six season's. The giant who rode the bull was Indra, and the bull was his mighty elephant Airavat. The food that he gave you was ambrosia, and because you ate it you passed without harm through the land of the snake people. The man who aided you to burn their city was Parjanya the god of rain, and the horse that he gave you to ride was Agni the god of fire. Truly, my son, the Immortals, because they love me, shewed you great kindness. Without their help you could never have won for my wife the earrings of King Paushya's queen."

So saying, Veda drew Uttanka towards him and embraced him. "Uttanka my son," he said, "the days of your pupilage are over. Go therefore where you will." Uttanka saluted Veda and his wife and left their