The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1826-08-31
THE LEFT EYE.
TRANSLATED From THE RUSSIAN.

had three daughters, the Youngest OF whom,
named Kookju, was as much distinguished
for her beauty, as for her extraordinary wis
dom.
One morning as he was about driving his
cattle for sale to the Chan's market-place,
he begged his daughters to tell him what
presents they wished him to bring to them
on his return. The two eldest asked him for
trnkets; but the handsome and wise Kookju
said that she wanted no present, but that she
had a request to make which it would be
difficult and even dangerous for him to exc
cute. Upon which the father, who loved
her more than the two others, swore that he
would do her wish, though it were at the
price of his life. III it be so,' replied kook
ju, Il beg you do as follows; sell all your
cattle except the short-tailed OK; and ask no
other price tor it except the Chan'a left eye
fhe old man was startled; however rcmem-
bcrng his oath and contldng in his dangh
ter's wisdom, he resolved to do as she bade
him.
After having sold all his cattle, and being
asked for the price of the short-tailed OK,
he said he would sell it for nothing else but
the Chan's left eye The report of this sin
| gular and daring request soon reached the
ears of the Chan's courtiers. At first they
admonished him not to use such an offensive
speech against his sovereign; but when they
| found that he perscvered in his strange de-
lpand, they bound him and Carried him as
madman before the Chan. The old man
threw himself at the Princes feet, and con-
fcssed that his demand had been made at the
request of his daughter of whose motives
he was perfectly ignorant; and the Chan,
suspecting that some secret must be hidden
under this extraordinary request, dismissed
the old man, under the condition that he
would bring him that daughter who had
made it.
Kookiu appeared and the Chan asked:
| why didst thou instruct thy father to de-
mand my left eyer
Because expected, my Prince, that af-
ter so strange request. curiosity would
urge thee to send for me?
,And wherefore dost thou desire to see
mcl'
4 wish to tell thee truth important to thy
self and thy people,
Name t!'
.Prince,' replied Kooku, when two per-
sons appear before thee in a cause, the veal
thy and noble generally stand on thy right
hand, while the poor and humble stand on
thy left. have heard in my solitude that
thou most frequently favorest the noble and
rich This is the reason why | persuaded
my father to ask for thy Lift Eye; it being
Of no use to thee. since thou never seest the
poor and unprotected
The Chan inceDsed and surprised at the
daring of this maiden, commanded his court
to try her. The court was opened, and the
president, who was the eldest Lama, propo-
sed that they should try whether her strange
proceedings was the effect of malice or OF
7visdoM.
The first step was to send to Kookju log
of wood, cut even on all sides, ordering her
to find out which was the root and which
the top, Kookju threw it into the water
and soon knew the answer, ON seeing the
} root sinking, while the top rose to the sur
face.
After which they sent her two snakes, ir
order to determine which was male anc
which female. The wise maiden lals
them on cotton, and on seeing that one coll
ed herself up in ring, while the other crep'
| away, she judged that the latter was male
and the former female.
From these trials the court was convinced
that Kookiu had not offended the Chan from
motives of malice, but the inspiration OF wis
. dom granted her from above But not Sc
the Chan: his vanity was hurt; and he re
solved to puzzle her with questions to prove
{ that she was not wise. He therefore order
ed her before him and asked:
sOn sending a number of matens into the
] wood to gather apples, which OF them WI
, bring home the most?'
She, replied Kookju, 'who instead O
climbing up the trees, remains below ant
| picks up those which have fallen OFT from
maturity or the shaking of the branches
The Chan then led her to a fen, and ask
. ed her which was the readiest way to ge
. over it, and Kookju said, 'to cross It wonlt
be farthest, going round, nearest The
Chan felt vexcl at the readiness and pro-
+ prietv of her replies, and after having re-
tlected for some time, he again inquired:
what is the safest means OF becoming
e known to many'
\ BY assisting many that are unknown
S What is the surest means OF always lead
S ing a yirtuous life?
' TO begin every morning with prayer, anf
E conclude every evening with good ac
b tion.'
!. who is truly wiser
HE who does not believe himself so.'
G what are the requisites OF a good wte!'
$ SHE should be beautiful as a pea-hen
t gentle as a lamb, prudent as mouse, JUS
S as a faithful mirror, pure as the scale OF
J fish: she must mourn for her deceased hus
n band like she-camel, and live in her wi
dow hood like a bird which has lost it
n ,rinps'