Page:The Enchanted Parrot.djvu/37

Rh said, "And what was that?" She told him the following story:—

"There is a town called Jayantî, and a merchant whose name was Sumata lived in it. His wife was Padminî. He was unlucky enough to lose all his money; in consequence his family would have nothing more to do with him, for it is well known that wealth and friendship go together—

He who has money has friends; he who has money has relations;

He who has money has wisdom: in fact, he is a man of importance.'

"It is said in the Mahâbhârata—

There are five conditions in which a man though living may be regarded as dead: poverty, disease, stupidity, exile, hopeless slavery.' Also—

A stranger, if he is a rich man, is a relation; but a kinsman, if he be poor, is an out-cast.'

"So this merchant used to take straw and wood into the market for sale. One day he could not find either, but he came across an image of Ganesa, made of wood. He thought to himself, 'This will suit my purpose very well.' For it has been said—

There is nothing that a hungry man will not do for bread: and a man who is ruined has no