Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1898-01-15
A HINDOO LEGEND.

81 thought that man was the most
beautiful creation on the earth-and
was wrong. Before me see the lots
flowers bowling in the gentle wind.
How much more beautiful is the lotus
than all breathing things. Just now
the silvery light of the moon kissed its
leaves, and l could not take my eyes
from it.
Indeed, there is nothing like it
among mankind, F." he repeated, signing.
After awhile this thought came to
him:
"Why should 1, q god, not create by
the might OF my word being which
should appear among men as the lotus
among flowers: Lotus, change into
living maiden and appear before meP'
Softly trembled the mirror of water,
as though moved by the wing beat of
swallow, clearer grew the night, the
moon shone brightly from the sky, the
nightingales sang louder, and then sud
denly stopped. The magical command
was carried out-the lotus flower APP
peared before krishna in human form.
The god himself was astonished.
Thou vast water flower little
while ago, he said. 'Henceforth be the
flower of my thought and speak. y
And the maiden began to whisper as
gently as the lotus rustles its leaves
when they are kissed by the gentle
zephyr.
Lord, thou changest me into liv-
ing creature; what dwelling place dost
thou give me? Remember, lord, that
as flower jealousy guarded by the
leaves trembled before every gust OF
wind. feared the showers of rain and
the storms, the thunder and the light
ming; yes, even the burning rays of the
sun. At thy bidding became the in
carnation Of the lotus flower, but kept
my former nature. and still fear the
earth and all that is on it. Whittier
dost thou bid me go now"
Krishna raised his eyes to the stars,
reflected little and then said
"Wilt thou live on the peaks OF the
mountains
There the SNOW lies and it is cold,
and am afraid, lord. y
"Then 1 will build thee palace OF
crystal on the bed of the ocean. -
'In the depths of the waters there are
snakes and monstrous things. l am
afraid lord. -
"Wilt thou, then, choose the bound
less plains:''
Winds and storms ravage the plains
Lo-5- o. 1-;tS hon lord -
20 flower turned human, what shall
then do with thee: In the caves Of Ell
loras there live holy hermits. Wilt thou
sooner live far from the world in
cave?''
There it is dark, lord, and I am
afraid"
Krishna seated himself upon rock,
and before him stood the trembling
maiden, holding her head in her hand.
Then the dawn began to flush the east
ern heaven. 1t gilded the watery mir
ror, the palms and the bamboos. The
voices of the rose colored plovers, the
sky blue cranes and the white swans on
the waters, the peacocks and the bengali
birds in the woods sounded in chorus,
with which the strains of string stretch
ed over pearl shells and the words of q
human song united.
Krishna awakened from his dreaming
and spoke:
at is the poet Walmiki, who greets
the rising Of the sum- -
A little while thereafter the purple
curtain of flowers which the lianas held
up parted, and Walmiki appeared on
the bank of the lake.
AS he caught sight of the embodied
lotus flower, he ceased to play. Straight
way the lutte fell from his hand, his
arms sank to his sides, and there he
stood, dumb thing, as if the great
Krishna had changed him into tree on
the shore.
The god, delighted at such admiration
of his own work, said:
Awake, Walmiki, and speakl'
And Walmiki spoke:
81 love"
This word alone filed his thoughts,
this word alone could he utter.
Krishna's countenance shone with
pleasure.
"Wondrous maiden" he said, ''now
I have found place worthy of thee.
Dwell in the heart of the poet.
Walmiki still repeated:
II Lowell"
Krishna's mighty will, the will of
deity, warmed the heart Of the maiden
to the poet. But first he made the poet'a
heart as clear as crystal.
Bright as summer day, peacefully
as the ripples of the Gauges, the maid
en- went to the sanctuary prepared for
her. But suddenly, as she gazed deeper
into Walmiki's heart, she grew pale,
and fear like cold wind enveloped her.
And Krishna was amazed.
80 flower become maiden, he
said "dost thou fear also the poets
hearth
Lord" replied the maiden, "in
that heart I see snowclad mountain
peaks and black depths of the sea full
Of strange creatures, and the plains
with their storms and the dark caverns
of Elloras. Therefore fear SEXES me
again, lord.
Then the wise and gentle hrlShna
answered:
"Be at peace, flower. If there are in
Walmiki's heart wintry wastes, DO
thou the gentle breath of spring to
warm them; if there are ocean depths,
be thou the pearl thereof; if there are
barren plains, sow thou there the flow
ers of happiness; if the dark caves CT
Elloras are there, be thou the bright
sunbeam in the darkness. :"
Walmiki, who had now found his
speech again, added
"And be thou blessed. New York
Journal.
American Cut Glass.