They stood still before the old Guru, who then restored them to their former shapes.
Then the witches’ husbands were amazed, and said: “O Guru! can you not call our wives also?”
“Call them yourselves, my friends, as you have seen me call my men.”
But the men knew nothing of either witchcraft or incantations, so they besought the Guru to help them.
At last he agreed, and asked for a thick, strong stick, which he gave into the hands of one of his Cheelas, and said: “Go knock each of those donkeys a blow on the head with this.”
The Cheela did as he was told, and the donkeys resumed the shapes of women, all but five old ones which the Guru said must remain donkeys by way of warning.
Then the Guru sent his followers forth as before, and coming to the pit where Puran had been found, they saw a dry stick standing near it. “This will do for fire,” said they; but when they touched it a feeble voice was heard.
So they reported the matter to the old Guru, and when he touched the stick it said, “Guru Jee.” On this he recognised Puran, who for years had waited beside the well.
“Why did you not go home, my son?”
“Because you did not tell me,” said Puran, “so I waited here for your orders.”