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210
THE WAY OF LIFE
THE ATTENDANT, CHATURA FOUND OUT A WAY
The ministers were plunged in grief. They were feeling helpless. The Queens in the harem began to weep on hearing about the event. The people of the city also were in great sorrow. "What should be done to make the elephant live ?" No one could think of any method. No idea occurred to anyone. All were steeped in despair. The King was sitting near the elephant. Many attendants were also sitting there. Chatura, the attendant of Queen Lilavati also was sitting there. All of a sudden, a new idea flashed to Chatura. "If the Chief Minister's sacred garment is put over the possessed elephant, at once, it will be free from the possession of the evil spirit. My Queen's fever was cured by means of this garment. So, the calamity that has occurred to the elephant can also be dispelled by it. But will the King believe my words? He is angry with the Chief Minister. On account of this garment, the King suspected the chastity of the Queen, my noble mistress and also accused the Chief Minister of immoral conduct though he is a man of austere celibacy".
Chatura could not summon enough courage to speak to the king and to tell him of her idea. The king was in great agitation. He was determined to leap into fires. The people had begun to weep. Chatura's heart was also full of sad emotions. She burst out, "Your highness, I remember now a method by which the elephant can be made to live. If you permit me, I will tell you what it is”.
The King looked towards Chatura. Chatura could see in the eyes of the King, the desire to hear what she was willing to say. Chatura said, "Your highness, if the holy garment of the Mahamantri is put over this elephant, it will be at once free from the possession of the evil spirit. I am absolutely confident of it. Queen Lilavati's fever also was cured by that garment." CHATURA'S EXTRAORDINARY CONFIDENCE
When the name of the Chief Minister was mentioned, he was naturally a little angry but he could not reject her suggestion. He was silent. Silence means consent. At once, Chatura
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