The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-04-16

courtiers mstook him Tor the sun
One day a Yogi, who came from no one
knew where, entered the hall and advanced
10 the throne. In his hand he carried
fruit which he presented TO the King
Vikrasema accepted II grsciously' but
doubtless judging it Of little value, gave II
20 his pet monkey as soon as the fogl mao
zone out. The animal bit into 1t greediy
and then threw II away in disgust hndlng
: It too hard for his taste, while the King as
tonished, picked II up and discovered a
most brilliant diamond.
Then he sent his guards in haste after
the Yogi and when they had brought him.
Vikrasema questioned him curiously'
sWhy did you bring me such 6eautiiul
jewel1' he asked.
Great King replied the Yogi 1t Is
written among the proverbs, DO not go
with empty hands 70 see either thy doctor
or thy King; by the present that Is gwen
may be OWNED the gift that Is DEMANDED
But cannot give back the value OF suoh
a present" cried the King. Tell me, what
is It that you wantH'
Then said the Yogi:
with siI ears, a secret Is revealed
With four It may not be known but Win
onlv two. Brahma himself is kept in igno-
rance. King, can tell my petition 70 you
alone
The King ordered that the hall should be
emptied az once.
When they were alone, the Yogi said;
ION the fourteenth day Of the fifteenth
month I shall 90 to the great cemetery on
the banks Of the Godanadi TO make an in
cantation. II is then that I must have
help, and only one man is noble enough 10
assist me. You are this man. And the
Gift that desire il that you will come at
night, alone, to the graveyard, armed only
With your sword
twill come. said the King.
On the appointed night VikTasema'
dressed in black and wearing his sword,
Joined the Yogi in the great cemetery.
King, said the holy man, "a half Jophana
from here you will come TO a tree, to the
branches Of which is tied the dead body OF
a man. Go and get this body and bring
Il TO me as quickly as possible. But know
that on the way a vampire will take pos
session Of the dead man and will try 70
make you talk Hyou answer his questions
the body must return Immediately TO the
tree.
Il will CO. said the King.
And as he was the most energetic Of men
he set OF at once.
The cemetery was dark and haunted by
horrible spirits. But Vikrasema was very
brave and, paying no heed to the ghosts.
be made his way to the tree and cut down
the body which was swinging there. Then
be started back with it over his shoulder.
As the King walked along, the vampire
spoke to him.
King, intelligent men find pleasure in
reading books and poems. only fools are
the slaves of their passions and know
nothing beyond eating and sleeping. Listen
10 the story that will tell you:
There was once a King sailing In ship
with his three Queens. The lake was
covered with lotus flowers, cleaning in
the silvery moonlight and the waves broke
against the prov with a soft murmur
THE first Queen plucked lotus flower,
tanning herself gracefully with It, but
presently the lotus slipped from her hand
and fell upon her white feet
All sighed the frail Queen; look.
my lordl My feet are sadly bruised.
"The second Queen reclined gracefully
on the pile Of silken cushions in the prov
Of the boat, beneath the silvery caresses
Of the moon.
All wept the tender Queen, 'ah. cruel
moonbeamsl Look, my lord, look. My
poor body il covered with burns
The third Queen listened to the splash
Of the oars in the water.
All groaned the gentle Queen, how
I suffer. my lord! My hands are lnotted
with pain
THAT is all Of the story said the YAM
pire. But tell me, oh King, which is the
most delicate Of the three Queensy'
The story is short replied the King
'and the question is keen. Nevertheless
i will answer it. The third Queen, whose
hands we're made painful by the mere
sound Of the oars in the water, was the
most delicate
you have spoken, King cried the
vampire triumphantly. The dead man
still belongs to me-
And the body released itself from the
Kings grasp and returned 10 hang once
more from the tree.
Vikrasema mad haste 70 capture II again
and a. he walked along with his burden
over his shoulder the vampire began 9
seoond story:
There was once a Brahmin who begged
from city 70 city. He had fashioned a
basket out Of plantain leaf and in this hi
entreated that people would give him food
One day, at noon, he entered a city anc
Knocked at the first door he came TO.
THE master Of the house, wealthy
Brahmin was absent, but his wife opened
the door to the beggar,w who said pleadingly
30 woman, II Is noon and am hungry
give me food.
Then the woman filled the plantain lea
basket with a cake made Of milk and butte
and sugar and the beggar thanked her.
Nov there was large lake near the city
and the Brahmin thought that Il woult
be very agreeable to eat his cake near tn,
cool waters, sitting in the shade Of a larg
fR tree But before he could begin h
wished TO battle his hands and feet, an,
leaving the cake at the foot Of the tree h
went to the edge Of the lake.
As IL happened, a large serpent wa
hidden In the branches Of the fig tree, an
three drops Of poison fell from his mout
upon the cake in the leaf basket. Whe
tho Brahmin returned from his abluti on
ne Sat down TO enjoy his cake, b ut 500
he was seized with the most horrible pain
and kneF that he was about 10 die.
I'm bis heart he accused the woman o
having poisoned him, and staggering an