Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1871-11-30
AN EASTERN TALE.

AN EASTERN TALE.
\ rich old man who resided in the cx-
trcmity of the camp, quite apart from the
rest. had three daughters. the youngest Of
whom. named kookju. was Is much dis
tinguished for her beauty as for her ex-
traorlinary wisdom.
One morning rs he was about driving
his cattle to the Chan's market-place. lie
begged his daughters to tell him what pros
ents they wished him to bring them On his
return. The two eldest asked him for
trinkctS. but the handsome and wise hook
iu said she wanted no present. but that
she had request 10 make which it would
be difficult and even dangerous for him II
execute. Upon which the father, who
loved her more than the two others, sworc
that he would do her wish. though il were
at the price of his life. '.If it be so, " re-
piled kookju, Il beg YOU to do as fol-
lows: sell al your cattle except the short
tailcl OK. and ask no price for it except
hc fhIn'$ 'cit cyc" The oil man was
startled /; however, remembering Lis oath,
aud coniling in his daughters wisdom,
he resolved to do rs she hil him.
After having sold all his cattle, and be-
ing asked the price of the short-taled OK.
he said that he would sell it for nothing
ing else but the CHAINS left eye. The report
OF this singular and daring request soon
reached the ears Of the Chan's courti,rs.
vt first they admonished him not to use
such az offensive speech against the so7-
erelgn, but when they found that lie per-
severed in his strange demand, they bound
him and carried him before the Chan.
The old man threw him>elfat the princes
feet, and confessed that his demand had
been made at the request Of his laughter,
Of whose motives he was perfectly ignor-
ant. The Chan, suspccting that some Sc
cret must be hidden uulcr this extraordi-
nary request, dismissed the old man or
the condition that he would bring him the
daughter who had made it. kookju ap-
pearcd and the Chan asked:
why diist thou instruct thy fither to
demand my left eye"
because | expected, my prince, that
after So strange request, curiosity would
urge thee to send for me. | wished 10
tell thee truth, important to thysclf and
people
Name it,"
"Princc," replied Koolju, "whcn two
persons appear before thee in n cause, the
wealthy and noble generally stand on the
right hand, while the poor and humble
stand on thy left have heard in nv
solitude that thou most frequently favor
est the noble and rich This is the rca-
son why persuaded my father to ask for
thy left eyo; ; it being of no use to thee.
since thou never seest the poor and un-
protected
The Chan. incenscd and surprised at
the daring Of the maiden. commanded his
court to try her. The court WIS opened.
and the President, who was the eldest
Lama, proposed tha. they should try
whether her strange proceeding was the
effect Of malice or wisdom
Their frs: step was to send to kookiu
4 log of wood. cut even On both sides, or
icring her to find out which was the roo;
and which the top. kookiu threw i: into
the water. and soon knew the answer on
seeing the root sinking, while the top rose
TO the surface.
From this trial the court was convinced
that Kookju had not offended the Chan
from motives # malice, but the insniration
OF wisdom granted her from above. b.,
not 50 the Chan: his vanity was hurt. and
he resolved to puzzle her with questions.
IN order To prove that she was n. wise -
He therefore ordered her before him and
said
"0n sending = number Of maiicns into
the woods to gather apples, which ofthcm
will bring home most g
"Shc." replied kookju, who. instead
of climbing UP the trees. remains below
and picks up those which have fallen of
from maturity or the shaking of ,h.
branches"
The Chan l,i her 10 fen. and a>kcI
her which would be the realic.; wav {
get over i, and kookju said: Toe s.
it would lie farihest: going round near
est I hc Chan felt vexed Al the read.
ness ana rrorrietv Of her replies, and al
ter having reflected for some time, l..
again inquired:
| (which is the safest mears Of bo.om
ing known TO many =
by assisting many that are unknown
(Which : the surest means Of aiwav
leading vir,uous life -
1 ''To begin every morning with prayer
and conclude every evening with goo,
action
WHO i truly wise -
+. ''llc who does not believe himself 50