If they were excited before, the people [[130]]now went mad with surprise and joy, and while they were grasping at the precious things, the old, white-haired man approached Schalu and said:
“O marvellous stranger, know that I am a magician, and by my art I learned that this land which has been without a king for many a long day would find a just, wise and righteous ruler in a wonder-working stranger whom we should meet traveling along this road to-day. Accept, then, our kingdom; come and rule over our people, and we will honor you as our Khan and your companion as Grand Vizier to the end of our days!”
The crowd had by this time grown silent, listening, and at the end of the speech they set up a shout that echoed to the very clouds. Seizing Schalu and Saran in their arms, they bore them with laughter and singing to the palace, where Schalu was crowned with all pomp and ceremony, and Saran was made his chief adviser. [[131]]And so the two friends lived worthily and happily till the end of their days.
The tale being finished, the Siddhi-kur was silent.
“But what of the poor father and mother?” exclaimed the Prince impatiently. “Surely Schalu was a faithless son if he left his parents to die of grief for him!”
“Dear me, no! He didn’t do that!” said the Siddhi-kur, smiling. “He was no sooner made king than he journeyed back to visit his royal father and mother, and I leave you to imagine their joy and the happiness of the whole land when it became known that the prince and his faithful friend had not only returned in safety, but had delivered them from the curse of the serpent-gods and had won, besides, such glory and riches.
“But I fear me!” continued the Siddhi-kur, playfully poking the Khan’s son in the ribs, “that you will never attain glory [[132]]and riches, unless you remember the words of Nagarguna and keep silent on your homeward way! Farewell—I am off to my mango tree, and it is good indeed to be free again!”
The Prince could scarcely keep back his tears of anger and vexation as he watched the Siddhi-kur skipping gayly off to the north.
“I will fetch you yet!” he cried, but the magic creature only turned and smiled at him indulgently.