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SINGHAL SINGHA
119
the temple to ascertain the reason of their penance, but the ladies did not open their lips An announcement was, therefore, issued at once to the effect that anyone who would make the ladies speak would win the princess royal. But no one came forward despite this attractive offer
At last, the proclamation reached the ears of the hunchback, He Dow prepared a voluminous book whose pages were filled up with wbite ink and wrapped it in a fresh cloth. Then he came to the court He told the king that if he were given a chance, he would try to make the ladies speak. Said he,
"Sire! I have this curious book which contains the detailed account of the earth, its past, present and future Each event is faithfully recorded 10 It Now, if the relevant events are read out, I have no doubt that the ladies will speak "
So they all shifted to the temple where the ladies were on fast and silent The hunchback started reading from his book.
"Prince Singhal of Singhal island started with his wife Dhanavati on a voyage and was involved in a shipwreck"
He stopped
Hearing her own account, Dhanavati spoke out, “Sır ! You are very wise. Read what happened next."
Everybody was surprised to hear the lady speak. No less 80 was the king himself. The hunchback started again.
“The prince caught hold of a plank and swam ashore Dear Ratnapur where he married Ratnavati and again went out to the sea This time, a mipister, Rudradatta by name, accompanied him But he betrayed the prince to get his wife. He threw him into the sea one night."
So saying, he stopped and started winding up Now Ratnavati spoke out,
“Sır! Stop not at that. What happened next ?
The king now joined with the lady to repeat the request, and the hunchback started again :
