The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1909-03-25
The Prediction
of the StraWs
BY Robert s. MaoBartee


great realm of Kapilavastu. A wild
town It was. with few occupations
other than those OF hunting and agri-
culture A few there were who re-
tanned some religion. but they were
in a way stunned.
These few. numbering about Ave
score. lived by themselves at one end
Of the town. had their grain fields con
solidated into one. and every harvest
time would 20 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
irst disliked the appellation. but as
time wore on they came to rejoice In
Il and. out of spite. termed their enc
mics Kusalassas.
Now. the skirmlshes 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
ioicing 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
lntently as the priestbutcher ap.
preached a silyer.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. man and
a woman. The woman. in black attire.
her head covered with a veil, clung
to the mans arm.
The man. carrying a short sword
made OF talas wood. stepped up 10 the
priest and said In a steady voice: "Oh.
priest, Before thou slayest Mesha.
The ram. would say that I have come
hither to we'd Sulangana. whom thou
seest by my side We promised three
moons ago to wed after ! should have
slain a Saba The battle OF today
has brought our wishes 10 fruition.'
Then many more stepped forward
bearing sweet cakes and bags OF grain
and one had bowl OF milk.
The moon was rising. casting ifs
silvery 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.
A feast was soon spread. the guests
seated and the red rams throat slit.
The priest caught the blood and sprin.
killed. Il upon the surface OF the milk.
Then two rice straws were produced
and dropped upon the Redeemed liquor
Sulangana. and her future husband.
named Devatang. watched the straws
anxiously. for II they met II signifed
love TIL death. A shower OF rice was
sprinkled over the floor OF the house
Of Ganesha.
Now the fateful moment was at
hand.
The straws fioated ever nearer to
each other. but they fioated slowly. A
breeze from the doorway. and Just as
The two straws were about to touch
they were blown wide apart. A sti1ed
scream from Sulangana. a groan from
Devatang. a murmur from the guests
a shake OF the head from the priest:
the blood-stalned milk was still and
the s,raws moved not. Sulangana
sank Z her knees.
Two ~nxious hours passed: the
straw remained motionless.
Once when a gentle breeze. laden
with the odor of the pyre. moved them
slightly. the priest out of pity, at.
tempted to blow them toward each
other. unseen by bride or groom, but
his breath only increased the space
between them.
Then with a shrek SulanganR
tainted Devatang leant against a pill
lar with a hand TO his head. mutter-
ing: "Oh. Sulanganal II cannot ap
ply TO me. for my heart will ever re-
main the same! Then II must be"
lie was interrupted by the entrance
of a man in a yellow gown whose face
bore an expression of sadness. He
perceived Sulangana on her face and
raised her with his hand.
"Oh, what do see?" cried She
opening her eyes TITS the Rishl OF
whom they speak, Tis the Lord
Buddha!" and she fell at his feet and
kissed his hands.
so soon! So soon!" shrieked De
yatang, tearing his hair and clutching
his dagger. THE straws did not lie
thenl Sulanganal What means this?
Who Is this MANI
For answer she again kissed
Buddhas hands and cried "Oh, save
me-" She meant for him to save her
from the fate foretold by the straws
but to Devatang II had another mean.
Ia