The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1909-03-25
The Prediction
of the StraWs
By Robert S. Mao6aTtee

IAfNWANaAAN NA aAAlNANNta Il AAANAN W ~+N N-+N~N
a town called Kusalassa.
It was two score yojanas from the
ereat 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 five
score. lived by themselves al one end
of the town. had their grain fields con
soldated 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
skirmlshes 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 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-
jolcing in the village of the Kusa-
lassas.
The smell Of altar and sayory
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 priestbutcher 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, 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; "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 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 bowl of milk
The moon was rising, casting it's
silvery light over the piles OF dead
on the field Of battle.
It 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
| auxiously. for if they met it signifed
love tin death. A shower of rice was
sprinkled over the floor of the house
of Ganesha.
Now the fateful moment was al
hand.
The straws foated ever nearer ia
each other. but they noated slowly A
breeze from the doorway, and Just as
the two straws were about TO touch
they were blown wide apart 4 stihet
scream from Sulangana. a groan from
Devatang. a murmur from the guests
a shake of the head from the priest
the bloodstaned milk was still anC
the straws moved not Sulangan;
sank to her knees
Two anxious hours passed; tn,
straws remained modonless.
Once when a gentle breeze, ladel
with the odor of the pyre. moved. then
slightly. the priest ont of pity, at
tempted TO blow them toward eacl
other. unseen by bride or groom, bu
his breath only increased the spac
between them
Then with shrek Sulangan
tainted Devatang ieant against q pill
lar with a hand to his head, muttei
ing: oh. Suansaua! 70 cannot ar
} ply to me, for nay heart viii ever r,
main the samol Then it must be-
He was interrupted by the entranc
of a man i'm a yellow gown whose fac
bore am expression of sadness II
perceived Sulangana on her face an
raised her with his hand,
"Oh. what do see?' cried sh,
opening her eyes TITS the Rishl c
whom they speak! 'Tis the Lor
Buddhaw and she fell at his feet an
kissed his hands.
/ 80 soon! SO soonw shrieked d.
p vatang. tearing his hair and clutchin
t his dagger The straws did not liz
[ thenl Sulangana, What means this
S Who is this man."
=. For answer she again kisse
n Buddhas hands and cried "Oh, saw
t mel" She meant for him to save he
0 from the fate foretold by the straw
r but to Devatang it had another meal