Demon With Matted Hair " 196, part 8 · page 21 2101Do not forget to come to me and receive my kind remembrances of your assistance, on your way back to your country."102So saying, the goldsmith took his leave, and Gangazara also pursued his way north after the above adventures.103He reached Benares, and lived there for more than ten years, and quite forgot the tiger, serpent, rat, and goldsmith.104After ten years of religious life, thoughts of home and of his brother rushed into his mind. "105I have secured enough merit now by my religious observances.106Let me return home."107Thus thought Gangazara within himself, and very soon he was on his way back to his country.108Remembering the prophecy of his father he returned by the same way by which he went to Benares ten years before.109While thus retracing his steps he reached the ruined well where he had released the three brute kings and the goldsmith.110At once the old recollections rushed into his mind, and he thought of the tiger to test his fidelity.111Only a moment passed, and the tiger-king came running before him carrying a large crown in his mouth, the glitter of the diamonds of which for a time outshone even the bright rays of the sun. He dropped the crown at his life-giver's feet, and, putting aside all his pride, humbled himself like a pet cat to the strokes of his protector, and began in the following words: "My life-giver!112How is it that you have forgotten me, your poor servant, for such a long time?113I am glad to find that I still occupy a corner in your mind.114I can never forget the day when I owed my life to your lotus hands.115I have several jewels with me of little value.116This crown, being the best of all, I have brought here as a single ornament of great value, which you can carry with you and dispose of in your own country."117Gangazara looked at the crown, examined it over and over, counted and recounted the gems, and thought within himself that he would become the richest of men by separating the diamonds and gold, and selling them in his own country.118He took leave of the tiger-king, and after his disappearance thought of the kings of serpents and rats, who came in their turn with their presents, and after the usual greetings and exchange of words took their leave.119Gangazara was extremely delighted at the faithfulness with which the brute beasts behaved, and went on his way to the south.120While going along he spoke to himself thus: "These beasts have been very faithful in their assistance.121Much more, therefore, must Manikkasari be faithful.122I do not want anything from him now.123If I take this crown with me as it is, it occupies much space in my bundle.124It may also excite the curiosity of some robbers on the way.125I will go now to Ujjaini on my way.126Manikkasari requested me to see him without failure on my return journey.127I shall do so, and request him to have the crown melted, the diamonds and gold separated.128He must do that kindness at least for me.129I shall then roll up these diamonds and gold ball in my rags, and wend my way homewards."130Thus thinking and thinking, he reached Ujjaini.131At once he inquired for the house of his goldsmith friend, and found him without difficulty.132Manikkasari was extremely delighted to find on his threshold him who ten years before, notwithstanding the advice repeatedly given him by the sage-looking tiger, serpent, and rat, had relieved him from the pit of death.133Gangazara at once showed him the crown that he received from the tiger-king, told him how he got it, and requested his kind assistance to separate the gold and diamonds.134Manikkasari agreed to do so, and meanwhile asked his friend to rest himself for a while to have his bath and meals; and Gangazara, who was very observant of his religious ceremonies, went direct to the river to bathe.135How came the crown in the jaws of the tiger?136The king of Ujjaini had a week before gone with all his hunters on a hunting expedition.137All of a sudden the tiger-king started from the wood, seized the king, and vanished.138When the king's attendants informed the prince about the death of his father he wept and wailed, and gave notice that he would give half of his kingdom to any one who should bring him news about the murderer of his father.139The goldsmith knew full well that it was a tiger that killed the king, and not any hunter's hands, since he had heard from Gangazara how he obtained the crown.140Still, he resolved to denounce Gangazara as the king's murderer, so, hiding the crown under his garments, he flew to the palace.141He went before the prince and informed him that the assassin was caught, and placed the crown before him.142The prince took it into his hands, examined it, and at once gave half the kingdom to Manikkasari, and then inquired about the murderer. "143He is bathing in the river, and is of such and such appearance," was the reply.144At once four armed soldiers flew to the river, and bound the poor Brahman hand and foot, while he, sitting in meditation, was without any knowledge of the fate that hung over him.145They brought Gangazara to the presence of the prince, who turned his face away from the supposed murderer, and asked his soldiers to throw him into a dungeon.146In a minute, without knowing the cause, the poor Brahman found himself in the dark dungeon.147It was a dark cellar underground, built with strong stone walls, into which any criminal guilty of a capital offence was ushered to breathe his last there without food and drink.148Such was the cellar into which Gangazara was thrust.149What were his thoughts when he reached that place? "150It is of no use to accuse either the goldsmith or the prince now.151We are all the children of fate.152We must obey her commands.153This is but the first day of my father's prophecy.154So far his statement is true.155But how am I going to pass ten years here?156Perhaps without anything to sustain life I may drag on my existence for a day or two.157But how pass ten years?158That cannot be, and I must die.159Before death comes let me think of my faithful brute friends."1 2← previousDemon With Matted Hair " 196, part 7next →Demon With Matted Hair " 196, part 9↑ back to Indian Fairy TalesThis page in Markdown → https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg7128/14/page/2/