"  You  have  answered,"  he  said.  "  See  now  the  proof  of
your  words."

It  was  a  sad  experience  for  the  young  princess  to  have
to  sit  and  spin  all  day  and  to  live  on  the  coarse  and  meagre
meals  that  her  and  her  poor  husband's  united  labour
brought  to  them.  However,  she  had  unwavering  faith  in
her  convictions,  and  was  fully  persuaded  that  there  was  a
glad  day  coming.  She  prayed  continually  and  waited
patiently;  but  it  was  a  hard  struggle  for  her.
At  last  her  faith  and  patience  were  rewarded.  In  that
country  there  was  a  tank  which  was  such,  that  whoever
went  near  it  became  blind.  One  day  the  laniyd,  for  some
trifling  matter,  got  angry  with  the  brahman  lad,  and  sent
him  to  this  tank  to  get  some  water.  The  lad  went,  not
knowing  the  deadly  property  of  the  water ;  and  it  came  to
pass  that  when  he  reached  the  side  of  the  tank  a  voice
came  out  therefrom,  saying  unto  him —

"  Oh,  my  son,  I  am  beaten  with  pity  for  you.  Why
,  have  you  come  here  ?  Do  you  not  know  that  whoever
takes  of  this  water  will  become  blind  ?  "  *

"  I  know  it  not,"  replied  the  lad.  "  My  master  bade  me
come  here  and  fetch  some  water."

"  Cruel  man  !  He  has  some  spite  against  you.  How-
ever, I  will  not  harm  you.  Fill  your  pot  and  take  it  to
your  master.  But  mind  you  take  also  a  little  sand  from
yonder  spot,  and  tie  it  up  in  a  corner  of  your  wrap,  and  be
careful  not  to  unfasten  the  knot  until  you  reach  home."
On  saying  this  the  voice  stopped.
