Book Title: Kathakoca or Treasury of Stories
Author(s): C H Tawney
Publisher: Oriental Books Reprint Corporation New Delhi

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Page 164
________________ 138 they said to one another : “ What lover has visited her lately ?” The maid said : “Indeed, a man versed in every accomplishment, who has come from a foreign country, has been her lord, soundoubtedly this is his doing. Accordingly, let the king be informed of it, before he manages to escape to a distance." Then the old hetæra went to the king's palace and informed him. The king said to himself : “Undoubtedly, no one else but my friend Sumitra could have performed such an achievement." Then the king said to the old hetvera : “My good woman, how much time has passed since he came into your house ?” Then the hetera said: “This man came into my house on the very day on which your majesty obtained the sovereignty of this town. Afterwards he went to another lanà; now he has returned, and a fortnight has passed since his return." When the king heard this he ordered his servants to seareh for his friend immediately. Then the old hetera pointed out Sumitra to the king's servants. They brought him to the king. Thereupon the king, even when he saw his friend Sumitra coming at a distance, rose up. When he came face to face with him he embraced him warmly, and the two sat down and asked after one another's health. King Vírángada said: “Is my cunning friend Sumitra well ?” Sumitra answered: “In everything he is well off, thanks to the favour of your highness." The king said: “Now tell me the rest of your adventures. Why did you turn the daughter of this hetæra into a camel ?" Sumitra answered: “In order that she might easily browse on the shoots of the trees, for she has not money enough to procure other food.” Thereupon the maid said to Sumitra : “Bring this confidential conversation to an end, and relieve my mistress from her deformity; we have seen your skill in accomplishments.” Sumitra answered : “You wicked woman! Do you call this skill in accomplishments? Why, I will turn you also into a female donkey, and make you browse on all the dirt in the town, in order that there may be no offensive smell in my lord's city. If you do not want me to do this, give For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org Jain Education International

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