grew the loveliest flower in the world. 

 Drawing near, they could see the 

 towers of Vishnu's palace rising above 

 the encircling walls, and when a single 

 note sounded from the conch-shell 

 the gates swung open. 



" Will you banquet first," said 

 Vishnu, "or will you first see the 

 flower which as far excels your lotus 

 as the moon does a tiny star ? " 



" The flower, first the flower," cried 

 Brahma, for the Hindu will ever prefer 

 the pleasure to be had from the con- 

 templation of beauty. 



So Vishnu led him to a bower 

 formed all of mother-of-pearl. It was 

 open on every side, so that the sweet 

 winds could sweep through and the 

 sunshine could look in. The roof 

 only kept off the heavy rains. Be- 

 neath this shelter grew a rose-tree, 

 slender and graceful, with glossy green 

 leaves. It bore but a single flower of 

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