The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1872-02-08
THE LEFT EYE.
Story of the Wise Maiden and the Wis
dom She Displayed.

muCn Q1StlnRulSneu 1Or ner beauty us
for her extraordinary wisdom.
One morning, as he was about driving
his cattle to the CHAINS markctplacc, he
begged his daughters to tell him what
presents they wished him to bring thom
on his return. Tho two eldest asked
him for trinkots, but the handsome and
wise Kookju said she wanted no present,
but that she had n request to make
which it would be difficult and even dam
gerous 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 the price of his
life. eff it be so," replied Kookju, al
beg you to do as follows; sell all your
cattle, except the short tailed OK, and
ask no other price for it except the Chan'S
left eye." The old man was startled
however, remembering his oath, and
confding in his daughters wisdom, he
resolved to do as she bade him.
After having sold all his cattle, and
being asked the price of the short tailed
OK, he said that he would sell is for
nothing else but the CHAINS left eye.
The report of this singular and daring
request soon reached 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 tightly 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, of
whose motives he was perfectly igno-
rant. The Chan, suspocting that some
secret must be hidden under this extra
ordinary request, dismissed the old man
on 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 request, curiosity would
urge thee to send for me. [ wished to
tell thee a truth, important to thyself
and people
Name it."
Prince" replied kookju, when per-
sons appear before thee in a cause, the
wealthy and the noble generally stand
on thy right hand, and the poor and
humble stand on thy left. 1 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 eye; it being of no use to thee,
since thou never secst the poor and un-
protected"
The Chan, inccnsed 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, proposed that they should
try whether her strange proceeding was
the effect of malice or wisdom.
Their first step was to send to Kookiu
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 con-
vinced that Kookju had not offended the
Chan from motives of malice, but the
inspiration of wisdom granted her from
above. But not so 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 a number of maidens
into the woods to gather apples, which
of them will bring home most
"She," replied Kookju, who instead
of climbing the trees, remains below
and picks up those which have fallen
off from maturity or the shaking of the
branches"
The Chan led her to fen, and asked
her which would be the readiest way to
get over it, and Kookju said "To cross
it would be farthest-going round
nearest" The Chan felt vexed at tho
readiness and propriety of her replies
and after having reflected for some time
he again inquired:
(which is the safest means OF bccom.
ing known to many"
by assisting many that are unknown
(which is the surest means of alway:
leading a virtuous life ?"
"To begin every morning with prayer
and conclude every evening with a good
action"
"Who is truly WISE?
He who does not believe himself so.
(Which are the requisites of Il good
wife ?"
"She should be as beautiful as pea
hen, gentle as u lamb, prudent as g
mouse, just as a faithful mirror, pure rs
the scale of fish /; she must mourn fol
her deceased husband like she camel,
and live in her widowhood like bird
which has lost its wings"
The Chan was astonished at the wis,
dom of the fair Koolkju; yet enraged al
her having reproached him with injus-
tice, he still wished to destroy her.
After a few days he thought he haC
found means for attaining his object
lie sent for her, and asked her to de
termine the true worth of all hi
treasures after which he promised tc
absolve her from malice in questioning
his justice, and to admit that she intend
ed, as wise woman, merely to war;
him.
The maiden consented, yet under the
condition that the Chan would promise
her implicit obedience to her commands
for four days. She requested that h
should not eat food during that time
On the last day she placed dish of mea
before him and said Confess, oh Chan
that all thy treasures are not wortl
this joint of meat" The Chan was 81
struck with the truth of her remark that
he confessed the truth of it, acknow
lodged her as wise, married her to hi
son, and permitted her constantly t.
remind him to use his Left Eye.