This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
98
THE ENCHANTED PARROT

"It is not fitting to relate what is base and wicked;
Evil deeds should not even be spoken of."

For Dushtabuddhi went and dug up all the money and carried it off to his own house. When the time came for dividing the money, the two friends went together to the tree under which it had been buried, but, of course, it was not to be found. So Dharmabuddhi went before the magistrate, told him what had happened, and charged Dushtabuddhi with having stolen the money. Dushtabuddhi was called upon to answer this accusation, and he offered security for £1,000 to clear himself by oath. The magistrate agreed to this course, and having taken security of Dushtabuddhi the parties went home. Dushtabuddhi then told his father what had happened, and having told him what to do, hid him in the hollow of the pîpal tree. Next morning, the magistrate, the plaintiff, the defendant, and all the inhabitants of the town, went to the tree in great expectation. Dushtabuddhi went through a regular course of purification, and then' making a profound obeisance to the tree, said that the truth would soon be known. "Most noble tree!" he exclaimed, "I pray you speak the truth! Did I take the money or did I not?" His father hidden in the pîpal tree answered, "Certainly not!" and as every one present heard the answer, it seemed