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d very great sage; his father was honored by the whole country, and he himself was a most respectable person; yet the low, vulgar guards of the palace would take no notice of him. After that, suddenly, the ministers of the king and all the big officials came there and received him with the greatest honors. They conducted him in and showed him into splendid rooms, gave him the most fragrant baths and wonderful dresses, and for eight days they kept him there in all kinds of luxury. That solemnly serene face of Suka did not change even to the smallest extent by the change in the treatment accorded to him; he was the same in the midst of this luxury as when waiting at the door. Then he was brought before the king. The king was on his thłone, music was playing, and dancing and other amuse. ments were going on. The king then gave him a cup of milk, full to the brim, and asked him to go seven times round the hall without spilling even a drop of the milk: The boy took the cup and went on in the midst of the music and the
