III
MALANCHAMALA
THE WREATH IN A FLOWER GARDEN
THERE was once a king who was supremely happy save for one thing. He was childless, and this one sorrow dimmed all his happiness. Though he did everything that was enjoined in the Shastras, he knew that Fate was against him. One night he dreamed that a godlike form appeared and told him that he would have a son if he could, on the day of the next full moon, at one attempt, dislodge two mangoes from the tree nearest to the palace. After obtaining them he must eat one and give the other to his wife. Thinking this to be a divine communication, on the morning of the day appointed, the king went to the tree, attended by his friends, ministers, and other important officials. His first attempt to bring down the mangoes failed, and though he shot at them with arrows, and pelted them with stones, they still remained hanging on the tree. All his attendants were also unsuccessful in their attempts, except the kotál, or prefect of police, who at last brought down the mangoes and handed them over to his master, to the latter's infinite delight. The party having returned to the palace, the king ate one of the mangoes and made the queen eat the other, and at the end of ten months and ten days a son was born. There were great rejoicings; a thousand drums and as many trumpets rent the air, and presents and alms were given to all, without distinction. Six days passed in this way, and on the evening of the sixth day
