Folk-lore of the Telugus/Child is Father of the Man
XXIV.
CHILD IS FATHER OF THE MAN.
A Brahman well versed in every branch of science, was journeying with his disciples on a pilgrimage to Benares, and about sun-set one evening, met a young Brahman boy, who was feeding a herd of cattle near a wood, of whom he asked the distance to the adjacent village where he proposed to halt for the night. The boy responded:—"Just look at me, at the cattle I am feeding, the forest, and the sun, and your question will be answered; for if the village was not very near, would such a young boy as I am be feeding so many cattle near a forest at this time of the day?" From this sensible response, the Brahman formed a high opinion of the boy's abilities, and following him home, told his father that the lad was too clever to be employed in feeding cows, and requested that he might be allowed to take him with his other disciples to Benares, where he would educate him. The father gladly agreed to the proposal, and the lad afterwards turned out a very brilliant character.