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NOVEMBER, 1887.)
FOLKLORE IN WESTERN INDIA.
823
her from the country he was going to. The nobody knew anything about it and accordingly Sultan was at once put in mind of his went on board without it. youngest daughter, and though rather crest. In due time the anchor was raised and the fallen he expressed great indignation at the sails unfurled; but lo! the vessel again stood idea of obstacles being thrown in his way on firm as & rock! The Sultan at once knew account of such a worthless creature. He, what this was owing to, and in great rage however, at once despatched messengers to directed his servants once more to go on shore find out the poor victim of his displeasure, and and inquire of every passer-by in the streets learn from her what she would have her father whether he or she knew of any one who had buy for her in the strange land for which he the mysterious thing called sabar for sale, and was bound.
· who would part with it for a large sum of One of the messengers after a great deal money. The servants wandered all over the of fruitless search found her at last in a jungle, city the whole day in search of that rare ander the far-spreading branches of a large commodity, but every one to whom they questree, where she lived like an ascetic devoted tioned about it laughed at them for their to the service of Allah. She was at prayer pains. They were tired of the business and when the man approached her and was 80 were just going to give it ap, at least for the deeply absorbed in it that she hardly noticed day, when a poor old woman happened to him. So he called out to her, and in & rade pass by, and on their putting her the same half-hearted sort of way delivered his message question that they had put to thousands befort to her demanding an immediate reply. . that day, she replied :
The princess being in the midst of her "Sabar! Oh yes, I know of a thing that is prayer vonchsafed to him no reply, but simply called by that name. It is a stone, lying half said, "sabar," i.e., "have patience." The mes buried in my yard. It has lain there ever Benger however was disposed to take this since I was born, and has been known as the mandate as a reply from her and at once left “Sabar Stone." What price would you pay her, and hurrying to his master, told him
for it po that the princess bad asked for a thing called The servants were very glad to hear this, “Sabar.”
and said, "Come, good woman, let us have it, "Sabar," said the Sultan, "what can the stupid and we shall give you a handful of gold for it. creature mean by it! It is just like her The woman was in high glee at being impudence to send me such a reply, but she offered so much as a handful of gold for a shall have her deserts."
worthless stone, for it was much beyond her As he was speaking these words the vessel wildest expectations. So she took them to her commenced to move and being a good sailer cottage in all haste and readily parted with she went at a remarkably rapid rate and soon
the big rough stone, in exchange for the gold reached her destination.
they gave for it. The men hurried to the As soon as the ship dropped anchor there shore with the stone and as soon as they the Sultan landed with all his followers. He placed it on board the ship she began to sail remained in the city for several days, and away at a rapid rate, and in a few days the enjoyed himself immensely. When it was time Sultân reached home in safety. for him to leave, he began to prepare for | A day or two after his arrival he sent the his return journey. He had spared neither stone to where his daughter lived with the pains nor gold in procuring the choice things same messenger whom he had despatched to that his six favourite daughters had wished | her before. When she saw her father's servant for and had them safely stored in the ship. As approach her, with a heavy burden on his for his youngest daughter's request he met head, she was rejoiced to think that his heart with the same reply wherever he inquired had softened towards her, and that as a proof for it, namely, that there was no such thing as of it he had sent her a rich present. But what sabar anywhere on earth. The Sultan there was her grief when, upon the man coming fore, persuaded himself that there was no use near, she saw nothing but a huge black stone in wasting more time in search of it, since upon his head. He laid hit burden down at
