IV
KIRUNMALA, OR THE WREATH OF LIGHT
THERE was once a certain king who, being anxious to learn how his subjects fared, used to disguise himself and go amongst them by night. On one occasion he reached a cottage, and, from outside, overheard the conversation going on within. He recognized three distinct voices, and gathered that they belonged to three young girls who were discussing the subject of matrimony. "What a splendid thing it would be," said one of them, "if I could get married to the feeder of the king's horses. I should then daily feast on fried grain." Another preferred the king's cook, for the reason that if she married him she would be sure of being served with the best dishes in the palace. The third girl, after much hesitation, said that if fortune favoured her she would marry the king himself.
Next day the king sent palanquins to fetch into the palace the three girls, who were sisters. He asked them what they had been talking of the night before, and on their hesitating to answer, said that he had overheard their conversation, and that their desires should be fulfilled. After this, on an auspicious day, the sisters were married according to their choice.
After some time the youngest sister, who had become queen, was about to become a mother, and a room was furnished with great splendour for her confinement. The time of her delivery drawing near, she expressed a wish to be nursed, not by strangers, but by her sisters. They were at once sent for and told what was required of them, and they consequently remained in the palace with the queen. But,
