Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 3 1885.djvu/76

68 O parrot so gay why brooding sit here? This tree is full sear and nought thee affords. O bird like the Spring, come tell me I pray, The reason this tree you quit not at once?"

Then the parrot-king replied, "I, flamingo, do not abandon this tree from feelings of deep gratitude." He then spake the following gâthas:—

When Indra heard the parrot's story he was pleased, and applauded the bird. He then, desirous of bestowing a favour, uttered the two following gâthas:—

On hearing this the parrot asked a boon, and uttered the following gâtha:—

Then Indra, granting him a boon, spake the next gâtha:—

And when Indra had thus spoken he put off his assumed guise and showed Sujâ in her true form. Then he took water in his hand from the Ganges, and struck the Udumbara stock; and therefrom there sprang up a tree possessing branches and leaves, and bearing sweet fruits, and there it stood having withal the loveliness of a polished