Page:The jade story book; stories from the Orient (IA jadestorybooksto00cous).pdf/381



was once a fakir who had gained such a wide reputation for working wonders that Rájá Rasalu, King of Sialkot, determined to pay him a visit. So one day, accompanied by his retinue, he set out for the village of Tilláh, where the holy man dwelt.

The fakir's power was so great that he knew of the King's approach long before he reached the foot of the mountain on one side of which the village was situated, and he said to his disciples, "Rájá Rasalu is on his way here with the purpose of putting my knowledge to the test. He is the son of a Hindoo, and therefore should know better. I have heard that his own power is very great, so I will first put him to the test."

His pupils agreed with him, but said that he should first change himself into some great animal, so that the King might not