XVIII.
VANITY OF HUMAN WISHES.
King Jayachchandra had two favourites, one a Mussalman and the other a Brahman, to whom he was constantly giving presents, by means of which they grew rich and lived happily. One day the king asked them by whose favour they enjoyed their happiness. The Mussalman immediately replied that he was indebted for his, solely to the sovereign; but the Brahman declared that he derived his from the grace of the Almighty. The king, wishing to put their assertions to the test, filled a pumpkin with pearls, which he delivered to the Mussalman, and at the same time presented the Brahman with two fanams. On their way home the former, not knowing the contents of the pumpkin, began to grumble at the king's present, and told the latter that he would sell it to him for his two fanams, to which the Brahman consented. When he broke it and found the immense wealth that it contained, he returned with great glee, and related the adventure to the King, whose vanity was completely cured by this occurrence. Unassisted by the hand of Providence human endeavours are fruitless.