Page:The Enchanted Parrot.djvu/104

100 mained in the carriage which conveyed him, and pretending not to be the least alarmed, called out to his brother who was with him, and said: "Tell me! How many elephants and horses have you got! Be quick and bring me my magic bow and I will very speedily put an end to these rascals." The thieves hearing this took themselves off at once. For—

If a man speaks wisely and suitably—and does not lose his head,

No one can possibly get the better of him.

a remote part of the world lies a town called Pratishthâna. The name of the king's son was Durdamana, and he began to think that he ought to be making a position for himself and not to rely on his father. So he started off with three friends like minded with himself, one the son of a Brâhman, another the son of a merchant, the third a young carpenter. They held a consultation as to the best way to begin their expedition, and finally decided to pay their respects to the ocean, the abode of hidden treasures. For it is said—