The Cairo bulletin., 1909-02-11
The Prediction
of the StraWs
By Robert 8. MacBartee

1t was two score yOianas from the
great realm Of Kapilavastu, A wild
own ii was, with few occupations
other than those Of hunting and agri-
culture, A few there We're who re-
tanned some religion, but they We're,
in a way Stunned.
These few, numbering about five
score, lived by themselves at one end
Of the town, had their grain fields con.
! soidated into one, and every harvest
time would go forth and cut the rice,
which would be distributed as equally
| as possible among themselves,
Gradually these people moved far
| Their away from Kusalassa and the
| wild people took possession of their
| deserted fields Then there were
| skirmishes between the two parties,
! and once or twice a man was killed,
| but they thought nothing Of that. The
| raiders were called Sabbas, and at
| first dislked the appellation. but as
ime wore on they came to rejoice In
It and, out of spite, termed their enc,
mics Kusalassas.
Now the skirmishes became more
frequent and bloody, till finally there
occurred real battle, in which ar
row and sword did such good service
that one-fourth of the Sabbas and one
third of the Kusalassas lost their lives,
but the latter, though outnumbered,
won.
After the battle there was great re-
ioicng in the village of the kusa.
lassas.
The smell of altar and savory
dishes was everywhere to be noticed.
Before the image of Ganesha, the chief
deity of these people stood a red ram
awaiting the butchers knife. The
crowd Of anxious spectators watched
intently as the priest butcher ap-
preached. a silver handled knife in his
hand. Then the incense arose more
strongly, and there were cries to Gan
esha to accept the sacrifice.
Suddenly from those about the i'm
age there came two people. a man and
a woman The woman. in black attire
her head covered with a veil, chung
TO the mans arm.
The man, carrying a short sword
made of talas wood, stopped mp to the
priest and said in a steady voice: "Oh, |
priest! Before thou slayest Mesha, |
the ram, would say taat have come |
hither to wed Sulangaga, whom thou |
seest by my side. We promised three |
moons ago TO wed after | should have |
slain a Saba The battle of to-day !
has brought our wishes to fruition."
Then many more stepped forward. |
bearing sweet cakes and bags of grain |
aud one had a bowl of milk
The moon was rising casting its |
silyey light over the piles of dead
on The field Of battle.
II seemed to have been premedi-
tated, for every one had something for
the bride and groom.
\ feast was soon spread, the guests
seated and the red rams throat slit
The priest caught the blood and sprin
lded il upon the surface of the milk
Then two rice straws were produced
and dropped upon the redeemed liquor
Sulangaua. and her future husband.
named Deyatang, watched the straws
inNiously. for if they met It signified
'ovc till death. \ shower of rice was
3prinklod over the floor of the house
IF Ganesha.
Now the fateful moment was at
land
The straws foated ever nearer 10
each other bat they hoated slowly. \
lroeze from he doorway. and just as
he two s'raws were about To touch
hey were blown wide apart 4 siiled
scream from Suiangaha. a groan from
Devatang. a murmur from the guests.
4 shake Of the head from the priest; !
he bloodstained milk was still and
he straws moved not Suiangana
.ank 20 her knees
Two anxious hours passed. the
siraws remained motionless.
Once when a gentle breeze. laden
vith The odor Of tie pyre. moved them
slightly. the priest. out Of pity. at
emptod 10 blow them toward each
,th,r. unseen by bride or groom. but
lis breath only Increased the space
between them
Then with shrek Sulangana
ainfei Devatang ieant against a pill
ar with q hand 10 his head. mutter.
ng. oh sulangana' u cannot ap- .
Iiy 20 me for my heart will ever r--
main the same, Then 81 must be" .
He was interrupted by the entrance
4 man IN a yellow gown whose face .
,ore an expression ~ sadness lie /.
,erceived Sulaneana on her face and .
aised her with bic hand
oh. Ehat do ] see2" cried she. /.
uening her eyes lis the Rishi Of .
gh0m they speak, lis the Lord
suddhai" and she fell at his feet and /.
Used his hands
so soon So soon" shrieked D. /.
ataug. tearing his hair and clutchiHs /.
is dagger The straWs did not DE-. /.
len, Sulangaus. What means this ,
.h0 Is this man
For answer 80 again kissed I.
-6dias hands and cried -Oh. save :
-" she meant for him 10 saua La- .