SOME CURRENT PUSHTU FOLK STORIES. 
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tained the Vizier well and showed him marked attention. Then one day the Vizier 
made a petition in the monarch’s presence, saying, “ If thou wilt grant me permission, 
then will I return to my own King; for it is now long since I set out on my travels, 
and I desire to convey these good news to my sovereign.” 
Then did the King, — he who was father of the seven daughters, — write and 
deliver a deed, saying, 
“ From the day when your message was delivered to me, have I considered all 
seven of my daughters as betrothed to your sons. And I am well pleased. Now do 
I send this your Vizier back to you : and whatsoever be the marriage customs of 
your country, according to those customs, come, — that you may conduct back with 
you the brides.” 
The Vizier took his leave thence, and returned straight to his own kingdom. 
He journeyed long. Then, after some time, with deference and respect he laid his 
representations before his King, and rendered to him the letter which the other King 
had given him. 
When the monarch read it, he evinced the greatest pleasure at its contents ; 
and long he looked at it. Then, mastering his joy, he gave orders to his ministers, 
saying, “Make all the arrangements for the marriages, that we may go hence forth- 
with, and proceed on our journey to bring back the bridal palanquins.” 
Before setting out, he consulted with his ministers as to which of the young 
princes he should leave to hold the regency. The chief minister, said, “ The young- 
est of the princes is very clever: he is fitted (for the task).” 
“ It is well,” replied the monarch : and to his youngest son he said, “ Remain 
behind to (administer) my kingdom.” 
The King started, taking with him the remaining six sons, and journeyed 
towards the kingdom of the sovereign who had become his friend. After some time 
he arrived. 
The ruler of the country himself came forth to meet the father of the seven 
sons ; and with great pleasure made arrangements for escort and everything ( need- 
ful). For three or four days the party remained as guests. And after this, they 
took charge of the bridal palanquins and set out again for their own kingdom. 
When they reached to the river where the Faqir had given the Vizier his counsel, 
the Vizier, from excess of happiness, forgot the warning. Everything was there in 
abundance. The King gave the order that, on the bank of the river they should halt 
for the night And so they spent the night there. 
In the morning, someone or other rose early ; when, lo and behold ! a gigantic 
python, like a fortress, was (coiled) around them. 
The person who had risen (roused the King), and informed him. The King, when 
he came to ascertain for himself how the matter stood, found that indeed there was no 
way of escape. Then the mother of the princes began to make cries and lamentation. 
“ This which you see is no fortress. I am a serpent,” said the reptile to her, 
” who have emerged from the river. Never shall you escape me alive, unless the 
youngest prince also be put into my power.” 
