Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1909-02-25
The Prediction
Of the Straws
BY Robert S. MacBartee

oiASS
a town called Kusalassa.
1t was two score yojanas from the
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 way, stunned.
These few, numbering about five
score, lived by themselves at one end
of the town, had their grain fields con.
solidated 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 theil
deserted fields. Then there were
skirmishes between the two parties
and once or twice man was killed
but they thought nothing of that The
raiders were called Sabbas, and at
first disliked the appellation, but as
time wore on they came to rejoice il
1t and, out of spite, termed their enc
mes 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
joicing 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 APP
preached, a silver-handled knife in his
hand. Then the incense arose more
strongly, and there We're 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 veil, chung
to the mans arm.
The man, carrying short sword
made of talas wood, stepped up to the
priest and said in a steady voice: "Oh,
priest! Before thou slayest Mesha,
the ram, | would say that have come
hither to wed Sulangana whom thou
seest by my side. We promised three
moons ago to wed after | should have
slain a Sabba The battle of to-day
has brought our wishes to fruition"
Then many more stepped forward.
bearing sweet cakes and bags of grain
and one had a bowl of milk
The moon was rising, casting its
silvery light over the piles of dead
on the field of battle
1t seemed to have been premefi.
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 spln-
kled it upon the surface OF the milk.
Then two rice straws were produced
and dropped upon the redeemed liquor.
Sulansana, and her future husband,
named Devatang, watched the straws
anXiously, for if they met ii signifed
love till death. A shower Of rice was
sprinkled over the floor OF the house
of Ganesha
Now the Hateful moment was at
hand
The straws hoated ever nearer to
each other, but they hoated slowly. A
breeze from the doorway, ard inst as
the two straws were about to touch
they We're blown wide apart a stihed
scream from Sulangana a eroan from
Devatan2, a murmur from the guests.
a shake of the head from the priest:
the blood-stained milk was still and
the straws moved not. Sulangana
sank to her knees.
Two anxious hours passed; the
straws remained motioness.
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 Shrek Sulangans
tainted Devatang leant against a pil,
lar with a hand to his head, mutter
ing: "Oh, Sulangana! 1t cannot an.
ply to me, for my heart will ever re-
main the same! Then it must be"
He was interrupted by the entrance
of man in 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. IT'S the Rishi OF
whom they speak! 'Tis the Lord
Buddha" and she fell at his feet and
kissed his hands
80 soon! So soon!' shrieked De
vatang, tearing his hair and clutchine
his dagger. The straws did not lie.
then! Sulangana! What means this?
Who is this man."
For answer she again kissed
Buddha's hands and cried "Oh, save
II