254 CRADLE TALES OF HINDUISM
About midnight, he could bear it no longer.
He rose up from his little bed, and stood over
his sleeping mother for a moment. She did not
wake. "O Lotus-Eyed, I leave my mother to
Thee!" he said in his heart. Then he stole
quietly out, and stood on the verandah, looking
at the forest.
It was bright moonlight, and the trees cast long black shadows. He had never been allowed to go even a little way into the forest alone, and now he was going down to its very heart. But it must be right, for he could hear the voice calling, " Come to me 1 " louder than ever. " O Lotus-Eyed, I give myself to Thee 1 " he said, and stepped off the verandah, and over the grass into the forest.
He was barefooted, but the thorns were nothing. He had been weary, but that was all forgotten. On and on without resting, he went, seeking the Lotus-Eyed.
At last he reached the heart of the forest. Then came one with great fiery eyes, and hot breath, and swinging tail. Druwa did not know who it was. He went up to him eagerly. "Are you the Lotus-Eyed?" he asked. And the Tiger slunk away ashamed. Next came something with heavy footsteps and deep dark fur. "Are you the Lotus-Eyed?" asked Druwa. And the Bear, too, slunk away ashamed. Still the child heard the
