“Cannot anything be done to spare it?” asked the man.
“Yes, it can be spared by the sacrifice of another, and that one must be your son.”
“I will give not only my son’s life, but the lives of all my family and my own,” replied the man; “but, if you want only my son, you may have him.”
Then he went and told his son, who said: “Gladly will I give my life, for what is it in comparison with the life of a Rajah? Come, father, take me soon that I may die.”
Then the man led his son to the veiled figure, and said: “Here is my son; he is willing to die.”
Taking a knife, he was about to plunge it into his child when the figure cried: “Enough! You have proved that you were willing not only to give your son, but your whole family, and the Almighty is pleased to spare the Rajah’s life for another seven years.”
Now the Rajah, who had heard every word of the interview, quickly returned to the spot where he had first heard the voice, and there awaited his servant’s return.
“Well, what was the sound?” asked he, when he saw him.
“A man and a woman had quarrelled,” replied the servant, “but I have managed to reconcile them, and they have promised not to quarrel for seven years.”
Then the Rajah left him, and ordered him to appear at his Court the following day.