Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-09-23
THE LEFT EYE.
TRANSLATED FROM THE RUSSIAN

A rich man who resided at the extremity
of the camp, quite apart from the rest, had
three daughters, the youngest of whom,
named KooKJU, was the most distinguished
for her beauty, as well as her extraordinary
wisdom
One morning as he was about driving his
cattle for sale to the CHAINS 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 trinkets but the handsome and wise
Kookju said that she wanted no present,
but that she had request to make which
it would be difficult and even dangerous for
him to execute. 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. eff it be So"
replied Kookju, 81 beg you to do as fol-
lows Sell all your cattle except the short
tailed OK, and ask no other price for it ex-
cep the CHAN's LEFT EYE" The old man
startled however, remembering his oath,
and conidng in his daughters wisdom, he
resolved to do as she babe him.
After having sold all his cattle, and being
asked the price of the short tailed OK, he
said that he would sell it for nothing else
but the CHAINS left eye. The report of this
singular and daring request soon reached
the CHAINS courtiers. At first they admon-
ished him not to use such an offensive
speech against the sovereign; but when they
found that he persevered in his strange de-
mand, they bound him and carried him be-
fore the Chan. The old man threw himself
before the Chan's feet, and confessed that
it had been made at the request of his
daughter, of whose motives he was entirely
ignorant; and the Chan, suspecting that
some secret must be hidden under this ex-
traordinary request, dismissed the old man
under the condition that he would bring him
the daughter who made it.
Kookju appeared, and the Chan asked:
"Why didst thou instruct thy father to
demand my left eyer
Because l expected, my Prince, that af-
ter SO strange request, curiosity would
urge thee to send for me- l wish to tell
thee truth important to myself and thy
people"
Name it."
Prince" replied Kookju, "when two
persons appear before thee in cause, the
wealthy and noble generally stand on thy
right hand, while the poor and humble
stand on thy left have heard in my soli-
sude that thou most frequently fayores. the
noble and the rich. This is the reason why
| persuaded my father to ask for thy LEFT
EYE; it being no use to thee, since thou
never seest the poor and unprotected"
The Chan, incensed 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, pro-
posed that they should try whether her
strange proceeding was the effect of malice
or wisdom.
Their first step was to send to Kookju a
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, whilst the top rose to the sur
face.
From this trial, the court was convinced
Kookju had not offended the Chan from
motives of malice, but the inspiration ofthe
wisdom granted from above. But not so
the Chan his vanity was hurt; and he re-
solved to puzzle her with questions, in Or
der to prove that she was not wise. He
therefore ordered her before him, and ask
ed:
con sending number of maidens into
the wood to gather apples, which of them
will bring home most 2"
"She," replied Kookju, "who, instead
of climbing up the trees, remains below and
picks up those that had fallen off from matu-
rity or the shaking of the branches"
The Chan then led her to fen, and ask
ed her which would be the readiest way to
get over it-and Kookju said "to cross it
would be the fatherest, going round, near
est" The Chan felt vexed at the readiness
and propriety of her replies; and after hav-
ing reflected for some time, he again en-.
quired:
(Which is the safest way of becoming
known to many?'
"By assisting many that are unknown"
(Which is the most sure means OF al
ways leading virtuous life 7"
"To begin every morning with prayer
and conclude every evening with good ac'
ton"
"Who is truly wise :"
Gle who does not believe himself So"
(Which are the requisites of good
wife,"
"She should be as beautiful as pea hen
gentle as lamb, prudent as mouse, just
as faithful mirror, pure as the scale of q
fish, she must mourn for her deceased hus
band like she camel, and live in her wild
owhood like bird which has lost its wings
The Chan was astonished at the wisdom
of the fair Kookju; yet, enraged at her hay
ing reproached him with injustice, he still
wished to destroy her.
After few days he thought he had found
means for attaining his object. He sent fol
her and asked her to determine the true
worth of all his treasures; after which he
promised to absolve her from malice il
questioning his justice, and to admit tina
she intended, as wise woman, merely tc
warn him.
The maiden consented, yet under the
condition that the Chan would promise hei
implicit obedience to her commands for fou'
days. She requested that he would eat nc
food during that time. On the last day, she
placed dish of meat before him, and SAID
Confess, oh, Chan that all thy treasures