THERE were once upon a time two poor children, one was called Lila and one was called Fila, and they were great friends.
Fila said one day to Lila, "Our mothers are poor; what can we do for a living, my friend? We have no money with which to repay them for the kindness they have shown towards us. We have now become full-grown lads, and have not yet earned any money to give them. I propose that we set out on a journey and see what we can find."
Lila agreed to the words of his friend, and so each one went to his mother and said to her, "Mother, make me seven ladu-cakes, for I am going on a journey to a very far country."
And each mother replied, "Where are you going, my beloved child?"
Lila's mother said to him, "Do not go with Fila."
Lila answered, "I am not able to leave my friend Fila for half a second."
His mother said, "It is he that will leave you, and it is you that will be lost."
He replied, "If a man is lost for the sake of his friend it is well."
So they had each one seven ladu-cakes made for him, and each one took a gourd of water, and on the next day they set out.
After they had gone a day's journey Fila said to Lila, "Bring out one of your ladus, that we may break and eat it. We will eat yours first, and when they are finished then will we eat mine."