Siddhartha

Author(s): Hermann Hesse, Hilda Rosner
Publisher: Macmillan India

Page 28

'Dear Kamala, where can I go in order to obtain these three things as quickly as possible?
My friend, many people want to know that. You must do what you have learned and obtain money, clothes and shoes for it. A poor man cannot obtain money otherwise. 'I can think, I can wait, I can fast.'
Nothing else?' 'Nothing, O yes, I can compose poetry. Will you give me a kiss for a poem'
'I will do so if your poem pleases me. What is it called?
After thinking a moment, Siddhartha recited this verse:
'Into her grove went the fair Kamala, At the entrance to the grove stood the brown Samana. As he saw the lotus flower, Deeply he bowed. Smiling, acknowledged Kamala, Better, thought the young Samana, To make sacrifices to the fair Kamala Than to offer sacrifices to the gods.'
knowledge and learning which unfolded itself before his eyes.
'Your poetry is very good,' said Kamala. 'If I were rich I would give you money for it. But it will be hard for you to earn as much money as you want with poetry. For you will need much money if you want to be Kamala's friend.'
How you can kiss, Kamala!' stammered Siddhartha.
'Yes, indeed, that is why I am not lacking in clothes, shoes, bangles and all sorts of pretty things. But what are you going to do? Cannot you do anything else besides think, fast and compose poetry?'
I also know the sacrificial songs,' said Siddhartha, 'but I will not sing them any more. I also know incantations but I will not pronounce them any more. I have read the scriptures ..!! "Wait,' interrupted Kamala, 'you can read and write. 'Certainly I can. Many people can do that.'
'Not most people. I cannot. It is very good that you know how to read and write, very good. You might even need the incantations.
At that moment a servant entered and whispered something in his mistress's ear.
'I have a visitor,' said Kamala. Hurry and disappear, Siddhartha, nobody must see you here. I will see you again tomorrow.
However, she ordered the servant to give the holy Brahmin a white gown. Without quite knowing what was happening, Siddhartha was led away by the servant, conducted by a circuitous route to a garden house, presented with a gown, let into the thicket and expressly instructed to leave the grove unseen, as quickly as possible.
Contentedly, he did what he was told. Accustomed to the forest, he made his way silently out of the grove and over the hedge. Contentedly, he returned to the town, carrying his
Kamala clapped her hands loudly, so that the golden bangles cinkled.
Your poetry is very good, brown Samana, and truly there is nothing to lose if I give you a kiss for it?
She drew him to her with her eyes. He put his face against hers, placed his lips against hers, which were like a freshly cut fig. Kamala kissed him deeply, and to Siddhartha's great excitement he felt how much she taught him, how clever she was, how she mastered him, repulsed him, lured him, and how after this long kiss, a long series of other kisses, all different, awaited him. He stood still, breathing deeply. At that moment he was like a child astonished at the fullness of