Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 1 1883.djvu/140

132 now reduced to order, the laws were observed, and under the King's firm rule prosperity smiled upon the whole land.

Rájá Rasálu once heard of a famous fakir, or saint, whose abode was at the village of Tilláh, and as this man's reputation for working wonders and signs was in everybody's mouth, he determined to pay him a visit. The fakir's power was so great that he knew of the King's approach before he came to the foot of the hill on which he lived, and addressing his disciples he said, "Rájá Rasálu is at hand with purpose to put my knowledge to the test. But as he is the son of a Hindoo he should have known better. However I will anticipate him and test him, whether or not his own power is as great as rumour asserts." His pupils answered him, "True, O master. They say his arrow is so swift that it will pierce a stone. Therefore divine something." The fakir then turned himself into a large powerful tiger, and when the King's followers saw the wild beast prowling round the house they said, "See, so great is the power of this fakir that even tigers acknowledge his sway! Come, let us return!" But Rájá Rasálu answered sternly, "He is a wise man who will finish an enterprise, and the foolish are they who confess failure." Then he challenged the tiger, and said, "You are indeed a mighty full-grown tiger, but I am a Rájput. Come, let us do battle together." The tiger then uttered a terrific growl like the roar of an earthquake, and prepared to spring. But Rájá Rasálu fitted two arrows to his bow, when immediately the tiger vanished away.

The King now went forward to the house of this famous fakir, whom he found in the midst of his pupils, and who at once rose and made a respectful salutation to one who was more powerful than himself. "Pretty fakir this," cried the King, "to stand up to me or to any one!" The fakir, being irritated and ashamed, said: "O King, this hill is only the abode of poor fakirs. It is not Gangar, which is the home of giants. If you engaged the seven famous giants of Gangar, and if you slew them, you would achieve renown, but there can be no renown in lording it over fakirs." The King answered, "O fakir, you taunt me. Now, as I am the descendant of the great King Bikrámájit, I vow never to return to my home until I have conquered the giants of whom you speak." "As for me," said the fakir, "I can only pray for your success. Yet I foretell that you will prosper and overcome