Page:The Enchanted Parrot.djvu/47

Rh In righteousness he should rule it;

By righteousness the king guards his subjects from harm and becomes their refuge.' " You have asked me what the fish meant by laughing. You ask him the same question. Perhaps he will answer it and tell you at the same time why he did not laugh himself."

So the king sent for Pushpakâra, and as he was a wise man, and of some importance, he made him valuable presents and asked him why he did not laugh, and why the fish did. He replied: " Family scandals should not be talked about. Loss of money, sorrow of mind, difficulties at home, fraud, contempt — these are things which no wise man ever publishes. Still the command of the king must be obeyed; for the glory of a king, equal to that of Sudra, has surpassing power on the earth; the very name of a righteous, energetic king, surpasses the sun in magnificence. Therefore I will answer your majesty's question. I found out that my wife was in love with some one else, and therefore grief stopped my laughter."

Then the king put his own difficulty before the wise man, and the latter gave no answer but struck the queen full in the face. The queen pretended to faint, and Pushpakslra burst into a fit of laughter. The king was extremely angry and looking at the