house and everything I possess have been obtained from a cowrie." On being spoken to in these strange terms, she asked her husband what his mother's remark meant, and he frankly acknowledged that his mother's having obtained the cowrie from a dog had been the foundation of their fortune. The wretched daughter-in-law, to turn the tables upon her mother-in-law, when the latter asked her again next morning to be more considerate, replied, "Ah, Thakrun,[1] I know at what cost you have got all these fine possessions. Your wealth is the result of your friendship with a dog."
Cut to the heart and thunderstruck, the mother-in-law sought her room, and knowing that the revelation had been made by her son, and resolving to remain no longer with him or his wife, she instantly left home in disgust, leaving everything behind her, including the mánik. She walked on at random, passing city after city, town after town, village after village, until at mid-day, under the scorching rays of the summer sun, she reached the foot of a banyan tree, which afforded a refreshing shelter to wayfarers. For some time she sat under the shadow of it, but by the time she was ready to resume her journey, she had become very thirsty. Her throat seemed parched, and to slake her thirst she approached a neighbouring rill. To her amazement, just as she took a little water in her hands and raised it to her lips, the mánik she had left behind dropped down from between her clasped palms and a voice came from overhead saying, "Daughter, I will not leave you at any time. Go to the nearest king rich enough to buy the gem, and spend the proceeds on good works."
As the words ceased the Brahmini saw rising from the ground a mansion as large and magnificent as the one she had left, with numerous servants waiting to minister to her wants. A rich repast was ready prepared, but she could not fully enjoy it, owing to the heaviness of her mind caused
- ↑ An epithet applied to all women as a term of respect, especially to one's mother-in-law.
