The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1872-03-29
M j s. @ eIIane GUS
AN EASTERN TALE.

\ rich old man who resided in the eX'
tremity of the camp, quite apart from the
rest, had three daughters the youngest Of
whom, named Kookju, was as much dis
tinguished for her beauty as for her extra
ordinary wisdom.
One morning as he was about driving
his cattle to the CHAINS market place, he
begged his daughters to tell him what
presents they wished him to bring them on
his return. The two oldest asked him fol-
trinkets, but the handsome and wise Kook-
ju said she wanted no present, but that she
had request to make which it would be
difficult and even dangerous for him to eX-
ecute. 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. "If it be So" replied
Kookju, 81 beg you to do as follows: sell
all your cattle, except the short taile OK,
and ask no price for it except the Cha left
eW" The old man was startled; how ever,
remembering his oath, and confding in
his daughters wisdom, he resolved to do
as she bid him.
After having sold all his cattle, and be-
ing 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 reach
ed the ears of the CHAINS courtiers. At
first they admonished him not to use such
an offensive speech against the sovereign,
but when they found that he persevered
in his strange demand, they bound him
and carried him before the Chan.
The old man threw himself at the princes
feet, and confessed that his demand had
been made at the request of his daughter,
ofwhnse motives he was perfectly ignorant.
The nan, suspecting that some secret must
be hidden under this extra ordinary request,
dismissed the old man on the condition
that he would bring him the daughter who
had made it. Kookju appeared and the
Chan asked:
"Why didst thou instruct thy father to
demand my left eye?"
because l expected, my prince, that
after so strange a request, curiosity would
urge thee to send for me. I wished to tell
thee truth, important to thyself and peo.
pie"
"Name it."
"Prince," replied Kookju, "when two
persons appear before thee in cause, the
wealthy and noble generally stand on the
right hand, while the poor and humble
stand on the left. have heard in my sol
itude that thou most frequently favorest
the noble and rich. This is the reason why
l persuaded my father to ask for thy left
eye; it being of no use to thee, since thou
never seest the poor and unprotected"
The Chan incensed and surprised at the
daring of the 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 Kookju q log
of wood, cut even on both 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
surface.
From this trial the court was convinced
from motives of malice, but the inspiration
of wisdom granted from above. But not
so with the Chan; his vanity was hurt, and
he resolved to puzzle her with questions
in order to prove that she was not wise
He therefore ordered her before him and
said:
"On sending y number of maidens into
the woods to gather apples, which of then
will bring home most!"
"She," replied Kookju, who instead o
climbing up the trees remains below an(
picks up those which have fallen off from
maturity or the shaking of the branches.
The Chan led her to a fen, and asked he
which would be the readiest way to ge
over it, and Kookju said: ITO cross i
would be farthest; going around nearest !
The Chan felt veXed at the readiness ano
propriety Of her replies, and after having
reflected for some time, he again inquired
(which is the safest means of becoming
known to many?"
"By assisting many that are unknown.
! (which is the next surest means of al