Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 3 1885.djvu/359

 FOLK-TALES OF INDIA 351

spot I have forty kotis of gold ; remove them from their hiding-place and accept the whole."

The Bodhisat replied, " Be it so ; should need arise I'll bear it in mind." Then he departed and paid a visit to the rat, and called out " Rat! " It, too, did exactly the same as the snake had done (and offered the hermit all his wealth). Then the Bodhisat took his leave and made his way to the parrot's abode, and called out *' Parrot ! " At that one word it came down from the top of the tree and saluted the Bodhisat. '• Pray, sir," it asked, " shall I speak to my friends and relations and make them bring you cartloads of wild paddy from the Himalaya district ? "

The Bodhisat replied, " When need arises I'll not forget your kind offer."

Then he took his leave of the parrot with the intention of trying the king's son. So off he went and took up his abode in the rojal gardens. The next day after, after performing the necessary duties of dressing, ablutions, and the like, he entered the city for the purpose of going on his round for alms.

At that time this perfidious prince, seated on the shoulders of a noble and richly-caparisoned state elephant, was perambulating the city with an immense retinue.

Even from afar he descried the Bodhisat, and thought, " This is that deceitful hermit, and he has come here with the intention of taking up his abode with me and enjoying himself. I'll e'en have his head cut off at once, lest he publicly make known the service he has rendered me."

He looked at his men, and they said, " Sire, what would you have us do?" ''That false hermit," he replied, "comes here for the purpose of asking somewhat of me, I ween, but do not allow that ill- omened fellow to see me at all ; but take him prisoner, bind his hands behind his back, then drag him outside the city, beat him with all the four kinds of blows, and in the place of execution impale his body and cut off his head."

They assentingly replied : " Be it so ! " and went off. Then they bound the innocent Bodhisat, led him to the place of execution, and