THE STORY OF KHERUDIN. 29 



Kherudin answered. " I bought it just now for thirty 

 dollars." 



The five brothers said. " The fellow is cracked, a ninny 

 to throw his money about like that for no use." 



" Don't be angry with him. It is not your money that he 

 has given away." 



Some days later the elder brothers again went on shore 

 to buy all sorts of merchandise to bring back to their own 

 country and again Kherudin was left to take care of the ship. 

 While he was on watch a man brought a mangy cat which he 

 intended to throw adrift into the sea. Kherudin said, " What 

 are you doing with that cat ?" 



The man with the cat answered, " I am going to set it 

 adrift in the sea." 



Kherudin said, " Will you sell it ?" 



The owner of the cat answered. " If you would like to 

 have it, take it." 



Kherudin said, " If you merely give it, I do not want it, 

 but if you will sell it for thirty dollars I will buy it." 



So the owner of the cat said, " Very good then." And 

 Kherudin paid him the thirty dollars. The man went back 

 to his house rejoicing. A short while after the six elder 

 brothers came back from the shore and found Kherudin busy 

 bathing the mangy cat. The five said to him, " Where did you 

 get this cat from next?" 



He answered, " I have just bought it for thirty dollars." 



They said to him, " Are you a human being? Have you 

 no brains ? You are just like a beast, and when a man is like 

 a beast, it is a very great curse indeed." 



The eldest brother said, " What is the use of being angry 

 with him ? It is not your money with which he bought it. I 

 gave him that money. Let him buy whatever he likes. I 

 don't mind." 



So Kherudin lavished all his care on the dog and on the 

 mangy cat and paid no attention to the trading voyage. He 

 gave his whole energy to looking after the dog and the cat. 



R. A. Soc, No. 46, 1906 



