________________
KAMAGHATA
161
The king had now no doubt that tbe minister must have gone mad He thought that he had done a foolish thing by accepting invitation for so many Just then the minister turned up and said,
"Su ! Food is ready I invite you all to come at once"
"MinisterAre you joking with me? I have information tbat there is absolutely no arrangement there and you invite such a large crowd for lunch "
"Your Majesty! If you will do me the honour to come with me but once, you will see everything with your own eyes There will be nothing wanting to entertain the royal household I assure you, sır"
The king started, with one thousand men following him He was giving final touches to a plan to chastise the minister very severely in case he failed. Now they arrived at the main entrance to the mansion and the whole party was surprised to see its beautiful decoration There were hundreds of receptionists who received the royal guests As the king proceeded in, he had surprise mounted upon surprise Such a grandeur would put to shame any king on earth And now at last they were in the dining hall And what a supply of dainties and delicacies, their quantity and variety | It was a real wonder When the lunch was over, the minister presented everybody with a divine robe All had the same query in mind, how did it all happen? It took expression in the words of the king
"Minister ! What divine power you have in your possession? What has made possible all this?"
"Your Majesty! It's all the doing of virtue You sent me abroad pennyless and I have acquired a magic pitcher It has great powers All that you see are due to it, and no credit is due to me"
“But such a precious thing must remain in the kings' palace"
