was pressed by the king to reside permanently with his family in the kingdom, and his son was nominated heir to the throne. The merchant, however, left the country for the purpose of going to his own home to see what had become of his mother and sister. He reached there in safety, but what he saw almost broke his heart. The poor mother was a street beggar, while her humpbacked daughter was in like plight. The merchant took his mother along with him to his new country, but his sister, unwilling to accompany him, was reluctantly left behind to pursue her wicked courses which we have been told soon came to a close, owing to her being captured by an alligator while taking a swim in the very lake at the side of which their mother had once reclaimed her son.
Shankha returned to his family and his friend the king, and passed his days as happily as possible. Through his influence the wood-cutter was made a police officer of rank; and Manik the swan with his mate and young ones was a highly esteemed resident of the palace.
