Page:Wonder Tales from Tibet.djvu/134

100 and kissed his mother, and when the time came for him to go to the palace, he set forth with a light heart and high courage. Having arrived there, he was taken at once by servants and clad in rich clothing, then led into the presence of the Khan. With comb and scissors of pure gold, he dressed and cut the monarch's hair, and as he looked at him, he learned the Khan's secret and why it was that he allowed no one to look upon him and live; and Daibang's mind was filled with wonder. Nevertheless, he did not forget his mother's commands and managed to eat one of her cakes while he was combing the royal hair.

"What are you eating?" asked the Khan, and Daibang spread out his mother's cakes before him. They looked extremely good, and the monarch at once demanded one to eat. They tasted even better than they looked, and all the rest of the time Daibang was working over him