Page:The Dravidian Nights Entertainments.djvu/70

Rh second time with a serpent-the bitterest enemy to mankind. She was extremely vexed at his stupidity, and accusing all her stars for her having given birth to such a stupid son, went away disgusted with his conduct a third time to her parents' house.

The prince had now to his cat a serpent also and with these he begged from door to door. Giving a portion of what he collected to his animal friends and pets he tasted the remainder. So passed full twelve years. After such a long separation the mother's heart again longed to see She went to him this time with no money and requested him in kind words to abandon the serpent. "As long as you have this enemy of mankind, my son, no one will approach you. So kindly leave him in the place where you made his purchase." The son, who was very regular in obeying his mother, took the serpent in his hand and proceeding to the wood where he first met the serpent-charmer, left him there and said, "My dear serpent, we were bosom friends for the last twelve years. Now by my mother's order I abandon you. Hence go your own way now, without being dis- pleased at my conduct." Thus addressing the serpent and leaving him to himself, the prince began to retract his way home. Already the serpent had watched, for the last twelve years, the prince's character. He was extremely delighted