Atondido Stories
have been talking to you about me; I am glad you have not fol-
lowed their advice. I am just now dying of hunger. Permit me to
go away. My name is Manikkasari. I live in the East main street
of Ujjaini, which is twenty kas to the south of this place, and so
lies on your way when you return from Benares. Do not forget to
come to me and receive my kind remembrances of your assis-
tance, on your way back to your country." So saying, the gold-
smith took his leave, and Gangazara also pursued his way north
after the above adventures.
He reached Benares, and lived there for more than ten years,
and quite forgot the tiger, serpent, rat, and goldsmith. After ten
years of religious life, thoughts of home and of his brother
rushed into his mind. "I have secured enough merit now by my
religious observances. Let me return home." Thus thought Gan-
gazara within himself, and very soon he was on his way back to
his country. Remembering the prophecy of his father he re-
turned by the same way by which he went to Benares ten years
before. While thus retracing his steps he reached the ruined well
where he had released the three brute kings and the gold smith.
At once the old recollections rushed into his mind, and he
thought of the tiger to test his fidelity. Only a moment passed,
and the tiger-king came running before him carrying a large
crown in his mouth, the glitter of the diamonds of which for a
time outshone even the bright rays of the sun. He dropped the
crown at his life-giver's feet, and, putting aside all his pride,
humbled himself like a pet cat to the strokes of his protector, and
began in the following words: "My life-giver! How is it that you
have forgotten me, your poor servant, for such a long time? I am
glad to find that I still occupy a corner in your mind. I can never
forget the day when I owed my life to your lotus hands. I have
several jewels with me of little value. This crown, being the
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