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RATNASAR
now. He took no time to ride on its back and move out of the city. Once beyond the bound of the city, he put the steed to gallop. Vasusar had a trained parrot Knowing that his master's son had moved out, it expressed a desire to accompany him as an escort. Vasusar readily agreed The parrot now flew out of the cage and overtook Ratnasar who received it cordially and placed it on the steed"
As the steed was flying over a dense forest, Ratnasar's eyes fell on a hermit youth who was extremely charming. The youth also saw him and was charmed at his manly grace. The existence of a human being in such a dense forest so much delighted Ratnasar that he could not check the temptation to come down and meet him. The hermit youth advanced to receive him The youth made enquires about his pame, his parents, his family, his line, his caste, his city and his country, and the purpose of his visit there He also invited him to be his guest
· As Ratnasar alighted from the steed and was about to satisfy the curiosity of the youth, the parrot spoke out,
“How do you feel interested about these details ? We haven't come here to settle a marriage in your family. We are strangers and, at the moment, your guests That should be enough for you" The hermit youth took no offence at the parrot's words but was delighted at the parrot's intelligence. Then turniog to Ratnasar, he said,
“Sir, you are lucky to have a sincere friend in this parrot I request you both to accept my hospitality I am a hermit and so I may not be able to provide you with all comforts, but I shall do my best to help you."
Then the youth led them to another part of the forest where there was a tank Ratnasar took his bath and became fresh. Then fruits were served for his lunch The parrot and the horse were duly fed.
After the lunch, all of them sat down to rest and chat Getting a bint from his master, the parrot said,
“Young man ! You are in the very prime of youth, and ' it should be a surprise that you have courted renunciation,
