Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 3 1885.djvu/256

248 The fortune-teller went and told the king the whole affair. He said, "Well! she was brought up and intended for his wife as a matter of course, just like ghee cast into rice-porridge becomes (united as one with it). After a time he agreed to the marriage, gave the kingdom to his nephew and made his daughter to be the principal queen. The prince lived in peace and harmony with his wife and ruled his people with equity.

The brâhman skilled in the quality of swords now became his personal attendant. One day while in waiting on the king and standing in the sun the lac melted and the artificial nose fell on the ground. There he stood looking shamefaced and chap fallen. Then said the king, laughing, "Never mind, professor, sneezing forsooth is a fine thing for one person and a bad thing for another. By sneezing you got your nose sliced off, but I got my uncle's daughter (as a wife) and gained a kingdom." Then he uttered the following gâtha:—

Thus he in this verse related the incident (just told); and, having done meritorious almsgiving and the rest, he passed away and was rewarded according to his deeds.

A long time ago, when Brahmadatta reigned at Benares, the Bodhisat was reborn in the family of a trader, and when he grew up he engaged in mercantile pursuits. At that time a certain anchorite in Benares had a robe made of skin. Going on his round for alms he came to the place set apart for "ram-fighting." He saw there a ram which retreated before him (bending down its head and making ready for an attack upon the hermit), and thought to himself, "This creature wishes to show me respect." So he took no warning by the