Page:The Autobiography of an Indian Princess.djvu/24

10 There was once a rich Maharajah who was very fond of mottoes and sayings, and always rewarded handsomely any person who brought him a new one.

In a village near his palace lived four Brahmin brothers who were so poor they often could not get their daily meal. One day they said to each other: "Our Maharajah is generous, he richly rewards those who bring him words of wisdom. Let us try and make some." These Brahmin brothers were not only poor but stupid, and could think of nothing. Although by the next day they were not ready for the visit, they made up their minds to go and see what they could do. On the way the eldest brother suddenly stopped saying: "I have got it, I have got it. I am sure I shall receive a handsome present." The other three were very much excited and eagerly asked what it was. "I saw a rat," he said," and I thought: 'Silently he picks a hole in the wall.’" The brothers thought this splendid and looked forward to a great reward. A little further on the second brother stopped, saying: "I have got one too." 'What is it?" they asked. "Bump, bump, bump, he jumps." " How did you think of it?" they asked. " Did you not see a frog jumping from one side of the road to the other ? " After a while the third brother shouted : " Mine is the best." "What is yours?" they asked excitedly. "Hither and thither he looks." 'What does that mean?" they inquired. "Did you not see a squirrel on the branch looking here, there, and everywhere?" When the