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OCTOBER, 1884.]
FOLKLORE IN SOUTHERN INDIA.
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face for the past few minutes while he was Thus was Darbuddhi again restored to his in deep contemplation. " It is my friend, high position, through the liberal kindness of the minister's son, by name Durbuddhi. We Subuddhi. Subuddhi did not stop even with were companions from our birtb, we played this. He began to send him with papers and in the same dust, read in the same school, and other things to the old king for signature. were ever inseparable companions. I do not This went on for some months. All the while know what has brought him to the condition Durbuddhi was as obedient as might be, and in which I see him now," said Sabuddhi, and by his vile tricks had completely won over the sent some one to bring him. Of the wicked heart of the old king. . and base act of the vile Darbuddhi he did not One evening, after the signatures were over, care to inform his gentle wife, who now retired Durbuddhi stopped for a while as if desirous to her inner apartments, as decorum did not to speak. “What do you want," said the old allow her to be in company with her husband king. "Nothing but your favour," was the only when he was receiving others.
reply, after which he retired. Thus he went The persons sent broaght in Durbuddhi. on practising for some days and weeks. Whatever might have been the cruelty that he Every day he stopped for a few minutes after had received from the hands of the minister's the state business was over, and when the old son, the prince began to shed tears when he king asked the reason for it went on giving saw his old companion ushered in, not in that evasive answers. At last one evening the old blooming cheerful red complexion in which he king was extremely provoked. The cunning had seen him last, but in a weather-beaten dark Durbuddbi had purposely intended this. skin and dejected colour of cooly in which he “What a big fool are you to stop every day as saw him a few minutes ago.
if wishing to speak and never to utter a word," "I excuse you all your faults, my dear broke out the old king. "I beg pardon of your Darbuddhi. Tell me quickly what has brought honour; I was thinking all the while whether you to this wretched plight," asked Subuddhi, I should let out my secret or not. At last, I and while asking he began to cry aloud. The have come to the conclusion that I will keep it minister's son also shed tears copiously, and to myself," replied the diabolical Durbuddhi. cried or pretended to cry; for be it known that "No, you shall let it out," roared the old king, he was a perfect scoundrel, born to no good in whose curiosity was more roused than abated the world. “My own mischief has brought by the words, purposely obscure, of the minisme to this plight. When I returned to our ter's son. Darbuddhi, after pretending much country after putting out your eyes and think uneasiness at the disclosure of the supposed ing that I had killed you, my father banished secret, loudly began his harangue, "My lord, me from our dominions, and ordered me never ever since I came here I made enquiries about to plant my feet within their limits without the nobility of your family, about the sacrifices bringing you back. As I thought I had put an that you and your ancestors have performed, end to your life I never came back to that tank about the purifications that you and your elders in search of you. I engaged myself as a cooly have undergone, and about a thousand other in the streets of this town after trying with particulars, each of which is enough to secure no success several other places, and I now stand you and your descendants the place of Achyuta before yon." Thus ended Durbuddhi, and the (Achyutapada) himself. These delighted me prinoe quite forgot his cruelty to him. He for a time, I say for a time, for listen, please, ordered his servants to get the minister's son to what follows. When I compared with the bathod, and attired in as rich robes as he himself pure fame of your famous family, that of your wore. Then he related to him his own story, son-in-law's, my heart began to pain me. Inwithout omitting a single point, and at once deed the pain which began at that moment made him his minister.
has not yet ceased. Ķnow, then, that your The whole story of Durbuddhi, excepting son-in-law is not a prince. No doubt he has the single point of his having put out his eyes, royal blood in his veins, which makes him look the prince related to his wife, father, and like a king. How came he to be so skilful in mother-in-law.
medicine. Just enquire the cause. To be no
