Walk With Me

Author(s): Chandanaji Acharya, Vastupal Parikh
Publisher: Veerayatan

Page 59

Ch. 5: Young Vardhaman and the Cobra
actually eye-to-eye with him. As if the two long-lost friends were suddenly coming face-to-face! We were horrified, but soon realized that they were mutually appreciating their beauty and magnanimity.
The two stared at each other for a while, and then played together like friends. We remained awestruck at a safe distance. Finally, when their playful encounter was over, Vardhaman took the cobra to the trees and bid him a friendly good-bye. We realized that Vardhaman could actually talk to and understand the animals.
After a while Vardhaman returned to us and we hugged him. Some of us were literally crying! We asked, "Were you not afraid, Vardhaman? We were so terrified that we couldn't scream anymore! What kind of friend are you? Why didn't you listen to us? Enough of your showmanship!
Vardhaman was about to say something but we shouted, No, we won't listen to you. We're going back to the palace to tell your mother. She will make you listen! But....wait! First, tell us how it felt when that cobra was crawling up your arm? Weren't you scared? Were you talking to the cobra? What were you saying to it?'
Vardhaman realized that we were now in a mood to listen. We surrounded him as he sat down on a rock. 'Tell me!'... 'No! Tell me!' we all shouted eagerly to have the Prince turn and talk directly to us.
Vardhaman greeted everyone with his typical smiling face. 'I am looking at everyone. I am talking to all of you' Vardhaman said.
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Jain Education Intemational