Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 3 1885.djvu/355

 FOLK-TALES OF INDIA. 347

parent's house. After remaining there a few days, again thinking of her lover, she says she'll return to her husband's home, but (instead of doing so) goes back to her lover. Inform that woman of the existence of kings, and tell her that I say she must live in her hus- band's house ; and if she will not the king will have her seized and put to death. She must be a little more circumspect in her behaviour."

When he had heard the ninth case he said : " That courtesan used in times past to act justly towards her suitors, but now she has given up her former practice, and therefore no one comes to visit her now. If she goes back to her usual custom she will be in the same position as she was before. Tell her to hold to her former equitable mode of proceeding."

When he had heard the tenth case he said : " That village head- man used to decide cases with impartiality, therefore he was beloved and popular, and men, being pleased with him, brought him many presents ; so he was handsome, wealthy and respected, but now he takes bribes and decides cases unjustly, wherefore he is poor, miser- able, and afflicted with leprosy. If once more he acts as a just and impartial judge he will be in the same position as before. He knows not of the existence of kings. Tell him to decide cases with im- partiality."

Thus did Gamawi report these various cases to the king, and the king explained them all by his own wisdom, like an all-knowing Buddha.

To Gamawi he gave much wealth, a village to live in as a brahman present, and then dismissed him.

He then departed from the city, and delivered the decisions, given by the Bodhisat, to the brahman-youth, ascetics, naga-king, and tree- sprite.

Then he removed the treasure from the place where the partridge used to sit ; and from the tree at whose base the deer was won't to eat grass, he took the honeycomb which he sent to the king.

He then proceeded to open the ant-hill, and took possession of the treasure he found there. After this he delivered the king's decision (as already mentioned) to the young wife, courtesan, and village headman. Then with great honour he returned home to his own