Page:The jade story book; stories from the Orient (IA jadestorybooksto00cous).pdf/382

366 know him. The fakir then turned himself into a powerful tiger, and when Rasalu and his followers reached the house they saw this wild beast prowling round.

The King's attendants were stricken with fear, and said, "How great must be the power of this fakir when even tigers are under his sway! Let us return while we may!"

But the Rájá answered sternly, "A wise man will finish the enterprise upon which he starts, and only a fool will confess to failure." So he challenged the tiger, and said, "You are indeed a mighty full-grown tiger, but I am a Rájput, therefore let us fight."

Then the tiger uttered a terrific growl which was like the roar of an earthquake, and prepared to spring. But Rasalu fitted a magic arrow to his bow, and the fakir, knowing its power, immediately vanished.

The King entered the house of the famous fakir, whom he found in the midst of his pupils, and who at once rose and made a respectful bow to one who was more powerful than himself.