Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1909-03-18
The Prediction
Of the StraWs

great realm of Kapilavastu. A wild
town II 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 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 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 disliked the appellation, but as
time 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 a 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 red ram
awaiting the butchers knife. The
crowd of anxious spectators watched
intently as the priest-butcher APP
preached, silver-handled knife in his
hand. Then the incense arose more
and there were cries to Gan
esha to accept the sacrifice.
age there came two people. 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. stepped up to the
priest and said in a steady voice: ooh,
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 Saba. 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 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. it 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 if they met it signified
love till death. A shower of rice was
sprinkled over the floor of the house
OF Ganesha.
Now the fateful moment was at
hand
The straws foated ever nearer to
each other, but they foated slowly. A
broa1a from, tho dooruov opd i,,et =, q
the two straws were about to touch
they were blown wide apart. a stified
scream from Sulangana, a groan from
Devatang. 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 motionless.
Once when a gentle breeze. laden
with the odor of the pyre, moved them
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 Sulangana
Devatang leant against pill
lar with a hand to his head. mutter-
ing: "Oh, Sulanganal 1t cannot APP
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. TITS the Rishi of
whom they speak 'Tis the Lord
and she fell at his feet and
kissed his hands.
so soon So soon" shrieked De
his dagger The straws did not lie,
then, Sulangana What means this
Who is this MANI
For answer she again kissed
Buddhas hands and cried "Oh, save
mel" She meant for him to save her
from the fate foretold by the straws.
but to Devatang IL had another mean
ing
His heart was burning within him
and with bound he was at his wife's
side and his talas-wood sword was
through her heart.
Then, recognizing Gautama, he
stared from the corpse at his feet to
he Mortified, plying eyes that were
urned upon him, and fell forward,
never to rise again. for in falling his
sword had pierced his heartl