Page:Indian tales of the great ones.djvu/73

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Naila
65

Mal's daughters, saw her and ran to open the door to her.

"Why weeps my grandmother?" asked Naila.

"Because of you," said the old woman. "The Turk is taxing our people, because your father will not give you in marriage to the Turk as he desires."

"If to give me to the Turk will save our people," said Naila, "send me at once, grandmother. Think only that the robber Turks have carried off one of your jewels." So did Naila give herself for her country.

And afterwards her only son Firoz Shah served his people in the same spirit. He was loved by them all. Cruelty gave place to kindness, taking to giving, hating to loving—and for thirty-seven years there was peace and prosperity and goodwill in Delhi.