Page:Wonder Tales from Tibet.djvu/36

10, into the cave, but Nagarguna looked upon him coldly and with displeasure.

"You have done evil, my son," said he, "for you have taken life, even the lives of seven men; and it will not easily be forgiven you."

The Prince bowed his head humbly before Nagarguna. "Truly," said he, "I did not wish the death of these men, but they wickedly sought my life. Only to defend myself from a like fate did I lift my hand to slay another."

"Even so," replied Nagarguna, "and well I know your heart is not evil, and that only because you knew of no better way to defend yourself did you resort to barbarous killing. But by knowledge, my son, are all good things accomplished, all wrong ones avoided. Had your knowledge been perfect, you would not have found it necessary to take the life of any living creature, even in self-defense."

"Then, Father," said the Prince, "let