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JAINA STORIES
to receive it and, in return, we arc to send this parrot to his newly-wed wife'
"Sagardatta could not comprehend the mind of these crafty women He gave the ornament and took the parrot On his return, he handed over the parrot to Sripunja and narrated everything in detail Srimatı was very happy to have the parrot and she spent much of her time in playing with it.
"When the period of misery is about to cod, the course of events takes a turn in that direction One day, as Srimati was spending her time in the company of the parrot, suddenly she noticed the thread tied round its lcg She became curious, and after pondering for a few moments, she tore it off That very moment the spell broke down and Dhanadeva stood beforc her. Srimatı became dumb-founded. She did not realise whether it was a dream or a reality and in utter bewilderment, she could not turn her gaze from him
“Breaking her astonishment, Dhanadeva said in an assuring tone,
'My dear ! Everything before your eyes is true But please do not ask any question about it at this moment. The mystery will be clear at the right moment'
"The sudden appearance of Dhanadeva brought uoprecedented joy everywhere in the house He began to live at the father-in-law's place Sripunja passed away after a few years, and the brothers' affection for their sister Srimati gradually waned Now she began to request her husband to go back to his own place But Dhapadeva went on putting it off on some plea or other. At last, when Shrimatı seemed to be very much adamant, he narrated the entire incident and said at last,
'When I remember the scene of putting vegetables in the frying pan, even now I shiver with fear'
"Srimatı replied with full confidence in her voice, 'Don't you worry on that account I know how to
