Page:The jade story book; stories from the Orient (IA jadestorybooksto00cous).pdf/35

Rh "Then," said the Spirit Lady, "if you will cut off the head of your firstborn son, who has on his body the marks of greatness, and offer his head as a sacrifice to the all-helpful Goddess Durga, then shall I continue to be the guardian angel of the Rajah, even though he should live another hundred years."

Having said this, she disappeared, and Vira-vara went to his own house and awoke his wife and son.

These two listened attentively while he repeated to them the words of the vision and then the son said: "I feel honored in that I may be the means of saving the King's life; kill me quickly, for it is well that I can give my life to such a good cause."

To this the Mother agreed, saying, "It is well, and worthy of our blood; how else should we deserve the King's pay?"

Then they went to the temple of the Goddess Durga, and having paid their devotions and asked the favor of the deity on behalf of the King, Vira-vara struck off the head of his son, and laid it as an offering upon the shrine.