Page:Tales of the Punjab.pdf/103

Rh chance I knew I could Show my mettle!Now, I'd like to know how many people could have done that?Killing a mosquito is easy, and throwing a shuttle is easy, but to do both at one time is a mighty different affair! It is easy enough to shoot a great hulking manthere is something to see, something to aim at; then guns and crossbows are made for shooting; but to shoot a mosquito with a shuttle is quite another thing.That requires a man!'

The more he thought over the matter, the more elated he became over his skill and bravery, until he determined that he would no longer suffer himself to be called 'Vicky.'No! now that he had shown his mettle he would be called 'Victor'‘Victor Prince'or better still, 'Prince Victor'; that was a name worthy his merits.But when he announced this determination to the neighbours, they roared with laughter, and though some did call him Prince Victor, it was with such sniggering and giggling and mock reverence that the little man ﬂew home in a rage.Here he met with no better reception, for his wife, a ﬁne handsome young woman, who was tired to death by her ridiculous little husband’s whims and fancies, sharply bade him hold his tongue and not make a fool of himself.Upon this, beside himself with pride and mortification, he seized her by the hair, and beat her most unmercifully.Then, resolving to stay no longer in a town where his merits were unrecognised, he bade her prepare some bread for a journey, and set about packing his bundle.

'I will go into the world!' he said to himself. 'The man who can shoot a mosquito dead with a shuttle ought not to hide his light under a bushel.'