And so the two friends lived worthily and happily till the end of their days.
The tale being finished, the Siddhi-kur was silent.
"But what of the poor father and mother?" exclaimed the Prince impatiently. "Surely Schalu was a faithless son if he left his parents to die of grief for him!"
"Dear me, no! He didn't do that!" said the Siddhi-kur, smiling. "He was no sooner made king than he journeyed back to visit his royal father and mother, and I leave you to imagine their joy and the happiness of the whole land when it became known that the prince and his faithful friend had not only returned in safety, but had delivered them from the curse of the serpent-gods and had won, besides, such glory and riches.
"But I fear me!" continued the Siddhi-kur, playfully poking the Khan's son in the ribs, "that you will never attain glory
